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…

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

and I’m so happy she has what she wants in her life. But sometimes she’s

these disquieting- thoughts. But when 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 click open my message

Hey, Cora – how did the

Cora? You okay?

2

I know you were up all night but I’m worried

from you.

click through the rest of my

peep. As I take a deep breath and check my email, another message from Hank pops up.

this is a little pathetic, but I’m outside. Can you let me in?

your apartment door…

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

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

I jump out of my bed and dash

to it, I

accidentally dropping the large bag of Chinese on the little mail table I keep outside

sorry,” I continue, smiling at him, “I just woke up – we were up all night. It’s

giving me his rare, warm smile. “I get it – you had

in?” I ask, leaning against my door frame and

says, his lips turning up a bit at the corner. “That

spread out around us on the coffee table, eating right out of the containers 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

apparently, a busy day with some tricky cases. I watch Hank closely as he tells me his story, my eyes flicking over his handsome, serious face – his thick brown hair – his strong,

something that makes me…well,

asks, making me blink and focus

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

giving me a little wink and reaching out to grab my hand, squeezing it a bit before sitting back. “I was just curious if you think

and picking up a morsel. “But she doesn’t have any medical experience. Would she really be helpful there? I think that she would

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