Accidental Surrogate

Chapter 311: Cora at Home 

Cora

When I wake up it’s almost eight at night and I groan, realizing that my sleep schedule is

completely wrecked. I’m reminded, suddenly, of my years as a medical resident when this sort of thing was normal – sleeping all day, taking night shifts, living moment to moment rather than a steady, scheduled life.

And quite frankly, right now? That sounds really wonderful, compared against a whole night of empty hours in which I have nothing to do but… think.

Think about what I’m doing in my life, think about my career which has gone in a really weird direction, think about my relationship…s.

About a certain kiss in the woods.

About a sweet doctor who, apparently, wants to build a life with me.

I sigh and sit up, looking around at my sterile little apartment. I never really decorated, I realize as

I look around at the grey and beige furniture, the simple linens, the charmless curtains. Everything is functional and high quality but none of it is… me?

Or is it?

I frown at my space, thinking of Ella’s sweet home that – even though Sinclair picked out most of the furniture before she moved in – still sings Ella Ella Ella in every corner. It’s warm and sweet

and comfortable. What does my space say about me?

I mean, I’m an orphan – I never had any possessions or any control over the environments in

which I lived, so where would I have learned to decorate? I never had a mother to show me how

So where did Ella…

groan, rolling my eyes at myself, sick, again, of being jealous of my

so much – and I’m so happy she has what she wants in her life. But sometimes she’s just so….perfect. That it makes me realize how unhappy I

pick it up the first thing I see is one of those relationships I’m trying to avoid leaving me an assortment of messages. I sigh and

Hey, Cora – how did the

You

2

I know

heard from you.

and click through the rest of my phone,

it bother me that there’s nothing at all from Roger. Not a peep. As I take a deep breath

Hey, are you home? I’m… I mean, this is a little

your apartment door…

when I see that. Hank. He’s being so sweet and I’m…well, I’m not being fair to

a space for Roger, one he doesn’t even want – despite what might have passed between us last night, it doesn’t change anything.

jump out of my bed and dash

to it, I yank it

bag of Chinese on the little mail

– maybe too bright, too cheerful. “I’m so sorry,” I continue, smiling at him, “I just woke up – we were up all night. It’s – I’m very

warm smile. “I get it – you had

against my door frame

a bit

with the supplied chopsticks, Hank tells me all about his day. He held down the fort at the little free clinic we both work at, seeing both prospective mothers as well as general ailments from humans and wolves who currently don’t

cases. I watch Hank closely as he tells me his story, my eyes flicking over his handsome, serious face – his

that makes me…well,

asks, making me blink and focus on him. “Did you hear

I ask, shaking myself and forcing myself to listen to his words. Then, I grimace a little. I’m sorry, Hank,” I say, giving him an apologetic look. “I got….lost in my thoughts a little bit. Forgive me. Can you start again?”

it a bit before sitting back. “I was just curious if you think Ella would want to be more involved in the

chicken with broccoli and picking up a morsel. “But she doesn’t have any medical experience. Would she really

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