Rory blinked slowly. “Okay, everyone make a note that Reese is never allowed to talk to Angie.”
“I’m not saying she isn’t nice.” We started walking again. “Or a good catch. But there must be more. That’s all I’m saying.”
Rose nudged my arm. “We know … you’re just saying.”
I smirked. Yes, despite my life experiences and emotional revelations—a lot prompted by Fisher—I still liked the idea that he fell in love with me in a matter of weeks, despite it making no sense to anyone else. And since he couldn’t dispute it, because he had no recollection of me or us, I felt perfectly fine with letting that version of our story live in my head forever.
“I love having you here. Are you thinking of moving back to Denver? There are jobs here. You can get your master’s here,” Rory questioned me as we drove back to Denver.
“Let her be,” Rose scolded my mom.
“I’m not pressuring you. I’m simply asking the question and stating a few facts.”
“She’s not staying.” Rose rolled her eyes at Rory.
“It’s not a terrible idea,” I murmured from the back seat.
“What?” Rose twisted her body to give me a wide-eyed expression.
“See? I know my girl. She’s always been my girl.”
I didn’t break Rory’s heart by disputing that. I was her girl, and maybe part of me always would be, but my intentions for considering a move back to Denver had little to do with her.
And from the look on Rose’s face, she knew it. And she wasn’t happy about it.
I didn’t care.
I wasn’t the eighteen-year-old girl she found on the floor with Fisher. A lot had happened. And while I had no expectations of him ever remembering me, I just … I wanted to be near him. I needed to know that he would be okay, even if that meant standing by while he fell in love with Angie again, while he married her, while he started a family with her.
My faith hadn’t completely died. I did have faith that things would work out, whatever that meant.
Chapter Five
“Hey, girl!” Hailey pushed her desk chair back as I opened the office door.
“Hey, yourself.” I hugged her.
“Congratulations, Nurse Capshaw.”
I laughed, releasing her. “Thank you. I’m not done. But I’m excited to spend the next year working instead of being in school. Then I’ll finish up my master’s.”
“We didn’t get a chance to talk at the hospital. But … a midwife, right?” She sat on the edge of her desk.
“Yes. I worked with a midwife in Thailand. I didn’t make an instant decision that I wanted to be a midwife, but I looked forward to every day with her. I got butterflies whenever she announced that someone was in labor. And I couldn’t sleep for hours after a birth. The adrenaline. The sheer amazement. And it never got old. I witnessed nearly thirty births, and they were all a little different. They were all special in their own way. So …” I didn’t have to grin. I realized I’d been grinning since the second she said the word midwife.
“That is awesome. I’m thrilled for you. Maybe you should move back here and deliver my babies when I have them. Hopefully sooner versus later.” She held out her hand.
“Oh my gosh! You’re engaged?”
“Married.” She shook her head. “Hawaii wedding. Less than ten people were there. His name is Seth and he’s a mechanical engineer. Met him online. We’re actually coming up on our one-year anniversary.”
“No way! I can’t believe my mom didn’t tell me. Congratulations.”