Chapter 3

Reading a little further, I told Lee, “It says the first check should be coming any day now—”

“That’s great,” he said again. “I just knew you could do it. I love you, you know that?”

I laughed, giddy. My head felt light, as if my brain wasn’t getting enough oxygen or something. I kept forgetting to breathe. “This calls for a celebration. You and me naked in the hot tub, steaks on the grill, a couple glasses of wine to set the mood. What do you think?”

“I think—” Lee’s voice sounded muffled and indistinct as he spoke to someone else. When he came back on the line, he told me, “I think I have to go. The girl’s been moved into op and they’re ready for me. Can we get back to this when I get home?”

“Are you leaving early?” I asked, hopeful. My mind was already two hours ahead to a time when Lee would slip out of his scrubs and into the hot tub beside me. “How’s steak sound? Some shrimp, a good red wine. Say yes.”