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 of my

But sometimes she’s just so….perfect. That it makes me realize how unhappy I am, when I stand next

I pick it up the first thing I see

how did the baptism go? Dinner

You okay?

2

you get up – I know you were up all night

from you.

messages away and click through the rest of my

Not a peep. As I take a deep breath and check my email, another message from Hank pops up.

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

your apartment door…

He’s being so sweet and I’m…well, I’m not being

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

what’s wrong with me? Quickly, I jump out of my bed and dash

to it, I yank it open,

his eyes going wide, accidentally dropping the large bag of

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

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

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

a bit at

sit on the house, the Chinese 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 prospective mothers as well as general

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

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

blink and focus on him. “Did you hear

little. I’m sorry, Hank,” I

little wink and reaching out to grab my hand, squeezing it a bit before sitting back. “I was

“But she doesn’t have any medical experience. Would she really be helpful there? I think that she

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