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…

at myself, sick, again, of being jealous

what she wants in her life. But sometimes she’s just so….perfect. That it makes me realize how unhappy I am, when I stand next to her.

thing I see is one of those relationships I’m trying to avoid leaving me an assortment of

how did the baptism go? Dinner later?

You okay?

2

when you get up – I know you were up

heard from

swipe the messages away and click through the

nothing at all from Roger. Not a peep. As I take a deep breath and check my email, another message

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

your apartment door…

little bit when I see that. Hank. He’s being so sweet

he doesn’t even want – despite what might have passed between us last night, it doesn’t change anything. And there’s a man standing outside my door with mooshoo pork, dying to love

with me? Quickly, I jump out of my bed and dash for

I

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

cheerful – 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 sorry. I should

rare, warm smile. “I get

ask, leaning against my door frame and gesturing towards my little apartment. “I am…well, I am starving,

up a bit at the

tells me all about his day. He held down the fort at the little free clinic

was, 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, capable

that makes me…well, makes- me want to jump

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

his words. Then, I grimace a little. I’m sorry, Hank,” I say, giving him an apologetic

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 Ella would

be dying to be more involved in the clinic,” I respond instantly, looking down at my chicken with broccoli and picking up a morsel. “But she doesn’t have any medical experience. Would she really be helpful there? I think that she would do

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