Surrogate For Alpha Dom

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…

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

she wants in her life. But sometimes she’s just so….perfect. That

phone, seeking some kind of distraction from these disquieting- thoughts. But when I pick it up the first thing I see is one of those relationships I’m trying

– how did the baptism go? Dinner

Cora? You okay?

2

a text when you get up – I know you were up all night but

heard from you.

away and click through the

me that there’s nothing at all from Roger. Not a peep. As I take a deep breath and check my email,

home? I’m… I mean, this is a little pathetic, but I’m outside.

your apartment door…

heart twinges a little bit when I see that. Hank. He’s being so sweet and I’m…well, I’m

holding a space for Roger, one 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

jump out of my bed and dash for the

I get to it, I

eyes going wide, accidentally dropping the large bag of Chinese on the

at him, “I just woke up – we were up all night. It’s – I’m very sorry. I should have texted before

says, giving me his rare, warm smile. “I get it

to come in?” I ask, leaning against my door frame and gesturing towards my little apartment. “I

bit at the

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 prospective

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

in my stomach as I watch him, something that makes me…well, makes- me want to

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

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

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

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.

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