“After Max died,” she finishes for me.

“Marta’s a good woman. She looks after him as best she can, but . . .” I shrug. Teagan’s studying me so intently that I’m afraid she can see right through that shrug and to the shredded heart in my chest. “Seventeen-year-old boys need their dads, and he doesn’t have that.” He’ll never have that.

“I didn’t realize . . .” She bites her bottom lip and studies me again with that burning intensity. “I’m so sorry.”

I roll my shoulders back, but it does nothing to lessen that feeling that she’s seen too much. “It sucks. For all of us, but especially Isaiah.”

The little radio clipped to her scrubs beeps. “Teagan, the mother of the patient in 2B wants to talk to you.”

She presses a button. “Thanks, I’ll be right there.” She drops the radio and cocks her head. “Have you given any more thought to the wedding?”

“Are you afraid I’m going to back out?”

“Not exactly. I just . . .” She studies the sign on the wall that lists the visiting hours and rules. “Did you talk to Myla? Is she okay with it?”

“Myla isn’t my keeper. I don’t need her permission.” I sigh when I realize that doesn’t make Teagan feel better. “I told her that you and I were seeing each other. I promise she won’t get in the way.”

“I’m sorry you had to do that.”

I’m not. I’m a little surprised to realize it’s true. Myla knows I’m not looking for a relationship, but lately, I’ve felt like she’s been hoping for more. I don’t want to lead her on, even unintentionally. Maybe it was time for us to end things. “It’s not a big deal.”

I don’t tell Teagan that I’d do anything to protect her from Rich. I don’t tell her that my few minutes talking to the guy last year was enough to make me grateful she asked for my help. “I work tonight and tomorrow, but I was able to get the rest of the week off.”

“Thanks.” She gives me a shy smile as she pulls the door open. “Then I guess I’ll see you Thursday.”

“I can’t wait,” I say, and I mean it. I’m looking forward to this weekend far more than I should.

Carter

When Teagan is gone, I sink into one of the waiting room couches, lay my head back, and close my eyes. Between my anxiety about the hero worship at the auction, Isaiah’s accident, and everything that’s been going on with Teagan, the past few days have been a rollercoaster. And now I need to talk to Bethany.

My phone buzzes, and I grab it from my pocket.

Unknown Number: You didn’t respond to my text. Does that mean you don’t want to see me?

Shit. I completely forgot about the text from this number yesterday. When I decided it was a wrong number, I put it from my mind. But here she is again.