Dan’s the one who asks, “Where’s that?”
“West of Seattle,” she answers.
“Another small town where you want to drop our asses? Pass,” Dan says and leaves.
Leyla looks at me. “I’m not expecting to move either one of you to that branch. I want you to help me choose a candidate for that clinic.”
I sigh with relief. “That sounds more like it. I don’t think I can do a third commute.”
She gives me a curious glance. “Are you still okay with that? We can look through the candidates and get someone to take over San Fran or Portland. Whichever place you don’t want to live in.”
“I…”
“Think about it. San Fran is closer to your boyfriend…” The pause she makes and the way she looks at me make me wonder what she’s thinking. “Other than the sex drought, are things okay with Thad?”
“Yes.”
But are they?
The lack of sex doesn’t bother me as much, but…okay, it is weird that we only make out like horny teenagers, but when things get a little out of hand, he stops and disappears.
The few times I tried to bring up the subject, he diverted the conversation. Hence, I don’t mention it anymore. Sometimes I wonder if that’s why we double-date with his best friend, Cameron, and her husband. Is he afraid I’m going to jump him in the middle of a restaurant?
“You should talk to Hadley,” Leyla mentions her sister-in-law. “She married a hockey player—and the owner of the Orcas team. Though Mills retired a year ago, she has some experience.”
“Good. For a moment, I thought you were going to offer me a free subscription to the Orcas-Tinder.”
She laughs and shakes her head. “Never mention that to Hadley, or she might create an app and use it to raise funds by auctioning the players via Orcas-Tinder.”
“We could do it for the animal shelters.”
“Stop it.” She continues laughing. “I just think it must be tough to see the man you love only a couple of times a month.”
Is it hard? It’s strange, but not for the reason she thinks. I’m not in love with Thad. He checked all the boxes, but we haven’t had the time to fall in love and become a real couple. We never do.
Leyla tilts her head toward the hallway. “Break time is over. Let’s try to figure out what we’ll do with Luna Harbor’s new clinic.”
“Are you building it soon?”
“Yep. We already have permits, the blueprints, and the groundbreaking ceremony is in a month. One of my brothers-in-law is involved in the project to rebuild the town. As soon as he learned we were going to open a clinic there, he and his friends took charge of the paperwork.”
“If you need help, I’m here for you.”
She shakes her head. “Maybe, and this is just me guessing, you need to choose one branch and stop traveling so much. The last thing I want is to lose one of my favorite doctors because she’s burnt out.”
“It’s okay.” I try my best to sound casual but I’m not sure if I accomplish much.
“I’ll believe you for now, but it’s okay to change your mind.”
Is it?
Maybe what I need is to have a life and figure out my relationship with Thad. There are times when I feel lonely and wonder if I should at least adopt a dog or a cat from the shelter. Then, I remind myself that I’m never at home—or in the same state.
Why bother?
And for one second, I remember Cas and wonder if we’d be together if I had given him my number. He’s the only guy who’s made me feel…shut up, Rys. Forget about Caspian. Focus on your life and make the best out of it.
Chapter Eleven
Rys
We have several candidates to take over the Luna Harbor clinic. Some of them live in Seattle. I spend the rest of the day hanging at the shelter, getting acquainted with a cute black cat that could use a home, but when it’s time to go to my hotel room, I decide to leave her.
I don’t think I’m ready to adopt anyone, not just yet.
After I change clothes and I’m about to go to bed, I notice I have a text from Thad.
Thad: Babe, are you around?
I stare at the message for a couple of seconds before answering.
Rys: In San Fran?
Thad: Yep.
Rys: No. I told you I had to come to Baker’s Creek and I’m staying in town for a week.
Thad: I thought we could do something this week.
Rys: Rain check?
Thad: Of course. Can you come to Vegas for the All-Star Game?
It’s hard to keep up with his schedule, and instead of checking the spreadsheet on my phone, I text him back.
Rys: Is that the one you asked me to change your reservation so it’s under my name?
Thad: Yep, that one.
I check the calendar. That’s in February—in just a couple of weeks. Do I want to go? What’s the point? I’d have to talk to Leyla about it. Since I don’t want to disappoint him, I answer what my father usually tells us when he’s not sure about something.
Rys: I don’t know… I can see if my boss can give me the weekend off.
Thad: You work too much. Come out and play with me, Rys.
Rys: I’ll try to make it happen.
Thad: I miss you.
Okay, this conversation is going from strange to you’re entering the twilight zone. I can hear the theme song of the show playing in the back of my mind.
Rys: Is everything okay?
Thad: Can a guy miss his girlfriend?
Rys: Of course you can. It’s just…nice to hear it.
Thad: Do you miss me?
Again with the weirdness. Do I miss him? The answer should be of course I do, but how can I when we barely see each other. This relationship isn’t working and maybe I should try harder. It seems as if he’s trying, isn’t he?
Rys: I do.
Okay, that’s a white lie. Maybe with time I’ll learn to miss him, even love him.
Thad: Why don’t you fly to me? I’ll pay for the ticket.
Rys: I would, but it’s actually too late to catch a plane. You should visit your family.
Thad: They’re busy today. If you were around, I could teach you to have a little fun with Thad.
Rys: Next time I’m in town.
Thad: Or Vegas. Let’s meet in Vegas, babe.
That’s seven weeks from today. Isn’t that a little too long? If we’re going to try to make this work, maybe we should start sooner.
Rys: I could try to sneak out tomorrow. Unless you plan on playing golf with Roger?
Thad: There’s no Roger. He and Cameron went on some stupid trip this weekend.
Rys: Everything okay?
Thad: Yeah, Cam and I had a fight.
Rys: She’s your best friend. I’m sure you’ll make up soon.
Thad: I…let’s not talk about her.
Rys: You guys are like brother and sister. It’ll be fine.
Thad: Come with me to Vegas.
Rys: I won’t make any promises, but I’ll try to be there. After all, the reservation is under my name. I might surprise you.
Thad: How about a preview?
Rys: I could…but maybe I’ll make you wait.
Thad: I’m so glad I have you, Rys. I promise things will be different.
Rys: Okay.