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

so much – and I’m so happy she has what she wants in her life. But sometimes she’s just so….perfect.

over, reaching for my phone, seeking some kind of distraction from these disquieting- thoughts. But when I pick it up the first thing I

how did the baptism

Cora? You

2

Hey, send me a text when you get up – I know you

heard from

click through the rest of my phone,

a peep. As

home? I’m… I mean, this is a little

your apartment door…

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

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

jump out of my bed and dash for the front door of my

to it, I yank it

going wide, accidentally dropping the large 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 sorry. I should have

okay,” Hank says, giving me his rare, warm smile.

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

turning up a bit at

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

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

something that makes me…well,

focus on him. “Did you

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.

grab my hand, squeezing it a bit before sitting back. “I was just curious if you think Ella would want to be

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 anything – but she’s got a big

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