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"Have a good night, Josie," Kevin says as he puts his gy out workout clothes He's clearly going to take advantage of the sym here at the hospital

"Back at ya," I say lightly as I turn for the door

My shoulders are tight with tension as I walk the back corridors to the es of bitterness toward Aiden for choosing a life for us I didn't want Forether forever

For tossing all of our plans to get ether, and the happily ever after that never occurred

All because he "got a calling" two years ago to join Doctors Without Borders, and that appealed to him more than I did

There's a sfair to Aiden It's not like I didn't know he had a passion for that type of work And it's not like he didn't talk about it to sorand plans after we completed our residency Mostly, it's not like he didn't ask ether But I push that voice aside I choose not to let the hurt and anger doain And that's so I decided I wouldn't do anymore

Aiden is my past, and my future is without him

I keepout the sliding doors and past security Turning right, I head toward the east parking lot,between Aiden and kittens My hand jams down into my purse, roots around, and comes up with my keys My head lifts as I near ainst the hood There's a paper bag on the asphalt at his feet

"What the hell are you doing here?" I ask, and I know the irritation inup Aiden, which has in turn brought me down

Reed isn't fazed and givesand pulls out a six-pack of beer and a box, which he shakes "Got beer and a new puzzle You and ht"

I look around the parking lot, then back to Reed as I start walking toward him "Where's your Tahoe?"

"Had Marek drop me off," he says as he puts the beer and puzzle back in the bag "We swung by the store first so I could stock up on essentials You're about an hour past quitting time, which is par for the course, so I knew I'd be in for a little bit of a wait"

I corin over his assuht "I could have had plans tonight, you know Then ould you have done?"

"I'd have Ubered et warhly disappointed, but I'd have survived"

Reed had been out of town this past weekend He went to the beach with Marek and Holt for a little sun and relaxation, or as I assu after hot women in bikinis

Admittedly, that sort of stuck in my craw a little Not that it should botherbut a friend

A friend who for the last two days has texted me constantly while he ay Funny texts, stupid texts, one butt dial that resulted in an hour-long conversation, and even a late-night text that si a blast

That sort of made me think that he really meant it, but surely just as a friend Becausewe're friends Nothing more

"Give me your keys, Doc," Reed says as he holds his hand out "You look exhausted"

I don't even think about it, but toss them to hi past et in, feeling both aard and charmed at the same time

I shaawk at Reed as he crosses back in frontfrorace of someone who is completely confident with not one worry in the world That's just one of the things that makes him so damn attractive

Reed has to adjust the driver's seat backward before he can slide in, but once he gets settled, he turns to look at me "I do believe I missed you, Doc"

I just blink at hiht, but his eyes are locked on e

"Overload of Beach Barbies?" I tease,

He shakes his head "Not a single one to be had Well, not by h"

I snort, because as much of a playboy as I know Reed to be, I know Marek and Holt are even worse than he is We've all hung out a time or two, so I've observed it I've also had Reed entertain me with stories of their past exploits while we labored over puzzles or lounged by the pool on my days off

"You up for beer and puzzle or just want a good night's sleep?" he asks as he starts my car

"Beer and puzzle," I tell hiht

Because the truth is, I missed him too

And for the rest of the night and into the next feeeks, Aiden doesn't cross ain

Chapter 7

Reed