Chapter 296
The morning after the lee creat shop meetup, Irene headed straight to the Children’s Welfare Institute. She needed some perspective after yesterday’s whilwind of emotions with Adam and the triplets not–so–subtle matchmaking.
“Pretty lady, you finally came! Little Bell bounced in her hospital bel, skinny arms outstretched.
Irene’s exhaustion melted at the sight of that gap–toothed smile. She crossed the room and gave the little girl’s hand a gentle squeeze. “Miss me, troublemaker?”
“So much!” Little Bell nodded frantically. “Doctor says if I’m good, an go outside next week!”
Irene glanced at the chart, her smile staying fixed as she noted the tle girl wasn’t getting better as quickly as everyone hoped. The tiny fighter still had a long way to go.
“Well then, sounds le someone needs to keep taking their medicine she winked, ruffling the girl’s hair.
“We all are!” a boy with glasses shouted, nearly tripping over his own feet, as he rushed forward. “Look what we made you, doctor lady!
He thrust a crumpled paper into her hands like it contained state secrets. Irene smoothed it out, her expression softening at the crayon masterpiece. Two stick figures stood front and center–her unmistakable black hair next to a tall figure with glasses who could only be Matthew.
“Wow,” she managed, her smile flickering just enough for perceptive eyes to notice. “This is… detailed.”
The kids beamed up at her, eyes wide with hope for approval.
“You know what would make this even cooler?” Irene knelt to their level. “All the awesome nurses and other doctors deserve spots too. They’d probably feel left out seeing just us, don’t you think?”
A chorus of gasps followed as the kids absorbed this grievous oversight.
“We need more paper!” The glasses boy took charge immediately. “And the green crayon–Nurse Sara always wears green!”
“Didn’t know you were coming by today.”
The voice behind her sent a jolt through Irene’s spine. Speaking of the devil. She turned to find Matthew leaning against the doorframe, lab coat pristine as always.
“Just a quick visit,” she shrugged. “Bell’s been asking for me.”
His eyes tracked her movements with unmistakable warmth. “Perfect timing–I just finished rounds. Hungry? That new place on Fifth finally opened.”
Irene hesitated, guilt from yesterday’s art show bail–out still fresh. She’d ditched him for Adam without even trying to be subtle
about it.
“Sure,” she found herself saying. “What’s on the menu? Nothing with eyeballs or tentacles, right?”
Matthew laughed, a sound that always made his patients feel better but now just tightened something in her chest. “Promise. That normal food cooked abnormally well.”
The street buzzed with early evening energy as they walked, awkward gaps opening in their conversation. Irene’s mind kept drifting to the medical charts she’d seen, to Bell’s medication schedule, to—if she was honest–whether the triplets had finally gone to bed
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Chapter 296.
without their usual rebellion against bedtime.
Earth to Irene, Matthew waved his hand. ‘Lost you somewhere back by the bookstore.
Sorry, she blinked. “It’s been a day.”
The restaurant had first–date written all over it–soft lighting, cozy tables, and waiters who appeared and disappeared without a sound. Irene played with her napkin, suddenly aware of how this looked to anyone watching them.
Matthew watched her from across the table. “You haven’t changed sice R Country. Always lost in your thoughts,”
“That bad?” She tried to laugh it off.
Actually, I’ve always liked it.” His voice dropped lower. “Watching you think is fascinating.”
Everything between them suddenly changed, the mood turning serious. Irene found herself staring at the painting on the wall like it might show her the way out of this conversation.
“Irene. His tone made her freeze. “I need to say something I’ve waited too long to tell you.”
She lowered her water glass slowly, already knowing, already dreading.
“I like you.” The words hung between them, simple but monumental I’ve liked you for years.”
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