28. Harper
TWENTY-EIGHT
Harper
Saturday, March 14
CityWalk BHAM
11:49 AM
The bright afternoon sun beats down on the clay courts. There is hardly any feeling like the spring sun warming my shoulders as I grip my tennis racket. Especially when I'm about to serve the game-ending shot.
I bounce lightly on my toes as I prepare for my serve.
God, I love this sport.
Across the net, Jonah adjusts his stance. His damp shirt clings to his torso, outlining the hard planes of his chest and the subtle ripple of his abs. A bead of sweat trails down his neck, disappearing beneath the collar of his shirt, and I find myself distracted by the way it sticks to him, emphasizing every cut and contour.
The afternoon sun glints off the damp fabric and highlights the power in his frame. His dark hair is sticking to his forehead, and his blue eyes glint with determination.
“You ready to admit defeat yet, Bellinger?” I taunt, spinning the racket in my hand.
He smirks, bending his knees slightly. “Not a chance, Gray. You may have the finesse, but I’ve got the power.”
“Uh-huh,” I say, tossing the ball in the air and sending a quick, slicing serve his way.
He lunges, his broad frame cutting across the court with surprising speed, but the ball ricochets off the edge of his racket and flies into the net.
“That’s game!” I call, grinning as I bounce toward him on the balls of my feet.
Jonah lets out an exaggerated groan, leaning on his racket for dramatic effect. “You’re ruthless.”
“Just better,” I counter as I walk up to the net. He leans in and kisses me sweetly.
Then, he pulls back, shakes his head, and offers his hand. “Fine. You win. But I demand a rematch.”
“Anytime,” I say, smirking as we shake on it. His hand is warm, his grip firm, and there’s a flicker of something playful in his eyes that makes my chest tighten.
We head to the bench and gather our gear. The sound of distant laughter from another court blends with the rhythmic thud of tennis balls. Jonah grabs his water bottle and takes a long drink before draping a towel around his neck.
“Lunch?” he asks, his tone casual as he looks over at me.
“Absolutely. I’m starving,” I reply, zipping my racket into its case. "You better make sure you haven't missed anyone since you're on call."
"Checking now."
I reach for my bag and grab my phone, too. I pull it out absentmindedly, fingering through all of the spam email. But an email subject stops me cold: Nurse Trek Staffing Agency.
My pulse quickens as I open the email, scanning the words.
“Congratulations! We’re thrilled to offer you a six-month assignment at Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. This rare opportunity offers competitive pay, housing, and the chance to work in one of the most sought-after destinations for travel nurses.”
The words blur slightly as my thoughts race. Hawaii. One of the top spots for travel nursing. It's a dream assignment I’ve been chasing for years.
But six months? And I’d have to start on April 5th—an entire month before my contract at UAB is supposed to end. Nurse Trek placed me here, so surely they know I'm here until May 3rd.
“Everything okay?” Jonah’s voice breaks through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present.
I blink, quickly locking my phone and slipping it back into my bag. “Yeah,” I say, forcing a smile. “Just a bunch of junk emails.”
He raises an eyebrow, curious but not pressing. “That's the best kind. Then you don't have to do anything except delete them. It's the business ones you have to watch out for.”
“No business on Saturday,” I lie, slinging my bag over my shoulder. “Unless, of course, you're on call,” I say with a laugh, trying to move him and my brain out of my email inbox.
Jonah nods, seemingly satisfied, and gestures toward the parking lot. “Beat you to the car. There’s a burger place down the street that has the best fries in Birmingham. I owe you for that beatdown on the court.”
“Damn right you do,” I say, falling into step beside him.
As we walk, my mind lingers on the email. The significance of what it could mean and the conversations it would entail threaten to consume me.
This was what I've wanted since I started this job almost two years ago. Without a doubt, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
But now, with the question of what this is with Jonah, the thought of being halfway across the world complicates this. The last time we discussed this, we weren't putting any parameters on it beyond the beginning of May. This may accelerate that by a month and force our hand to put a label on it.
For now, though, I keep the news to myself, letting the sun and Jonah’s easy company distract me from how I will tackle this beast.
Sunday, March 15
Harper’s Pool House
9:54 AM
I move around my living room, tossing stray throw pillows back onto the couch and gathering empty cups from last night. My head’s a mess, and keeping my hands busy cleaning feels like the only way to organize my thoughts, even for a few minutes.
Jonah was called in early to the hospital this morning, and with him gone, the weight of the email sitting in my inbox feels more pressing than ever. The thought of Hawaii—six months in paradise, a dream assignment—has been gnawing at me since I saw the email yesterday.
As much as I've tried to put it out of my mind, I can't. It has been lingering like a bad dream. I need to address it one way or another.
It’s not just about me anymore. Jonah and I might not have defined whatever it is we’re doing, but it feels real. It's been a short-lived and somewhat tumultuous experiment, but it is significant.
At least, as far as I'm concerned.
And yet, this offer is something I’ve wanted for so long. And it directly contradicts the possibility for something defined and long-term. At least for the immediate future.
I pull out my phone and scroll to the agency’s number. I stare at it for a few seconds, with my thumb hovering over the hyperlink. The guilt for keeping it from Jonah, after all my pushing for him to open up, eats at me. But I can’t bring it up to him until I understand exactly what’s on the table.
I take a deep breath and press the button.
A cheerful voice answers after two rings. “Hi, Harper! This is Gina with Nurse Trek Staffing. What can I help you with today?”
“Hi, Gina,” I say, forcing a smile into my voice. “I got an email yesterday about a Hawaii assignment. I have a couple of questions. Do you have a few minutes to chat?”
“Of course! It’s a great opportunity, isn’t it?” Gina’s enthusiasm is infectious, and it makes me want to throw up into the phone.
“Yeah, it is,” I say softly. “I noticed the start date is earlier than my current assignment ends. How would that work?”
“Oh, great question!” Gina says. “Since both your current assignment and the Hawaii one are through us, we’d handle everything. We’d work with UAB to release you early and transition you to Hawaii seamlessly. It happens more often than you’d think with these highly-coveted spots.”
“Okay…” I chew on my lip, pacing a small circle around the couch. “What about the length of the assignment? Six months is a long time. Is there any way to shorten it to two or three months?”
There’s a pause on the other end before Gina sighs apologetically. “I’m afraid not. Because Hawaii assignments are so popular and there aren’t many of them, we only offer six-month contracts. It’s part of how we keep them fair and efficient—if we let people take shorter contracts, it would create more administrative work for the hospital.”
My stomach sinks. “Got it. I figured, but I thought I’d ask.”
“I completely understand,” Gina says. “I know six months is a big commitment, but it is an amazing opportunity. The pay is higher than most travel assignments, housing is included, and you’d be working in one of the busiest Level 2 trauma centers on the islands. I know you love ER work, and this facility specializes in emergency response for outdoor and water-related injuries. It’s challenging and rewarding, plus you’d get to work with a top-notch team.”
I sink onto the armrest of the couch, absorbing her words. Better pay. No living expenses. I want the chance to work in an environment that plays to my strengths. And Hawaii—the dream I’ve been chasing since I started this whole travel nurse journey.
“It sounds incredible,” I admit. "The timing couldn't be worse, but that is the nature of the business, right? Hawaii is the dream job, no doubt."
“It really is,” Gina says warmly. “But I completely understand it’s a big decision. Take some time to think it over. We do need an answer by Friday, though. If you decide not to take it, we’ll move down the list and offer it to the next nurse. And just so you know, if you pass on this one, it puts you at the end of the line for the next Hawaii opening.”
“Right,” I say, my voice tight. “That makes sense. Thanks, Gina. I appreciate the information.”
“Of course! If you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to call. We’re here to help.”
“Thanks,” I say again before ending the call.
I set the phone down and stare at the wall. My mind races even more than before. I thought calling would help me know what to do. Instead, I'm more confused and stressed than ever.
This isn’t just some assignment. It’s the assignment. But taking it means cutting my time in Birmingham short, leaving Jonah, and possibly throwing a wrench into the momentum and trust we've built.
The thought of telling Jonah leaves a frog in my throat. As silly as it sounds, it makes me want to cry. He could be like, "Perfect, go for it," without a second thought. I'm not sure if that would be a welcome response, taking off the stress of making the decision. Or, if it would a stab in the heart, because that would essentially mean he enjoyed the ride while it lasted, but ultimately, this was never going anywhere after my time in Birmingham ended.
I bury my face in my hands. For the first time since taking this travel job, I have no idea what I should do.
I stare at my phone, chewing on the inside of my cheek as I scroll with no real agenda of what I'm looking for or want to do.
Jonah just texted me that he will be there for at least another couple of hours. Apparently, there was a major accident on I-65, and they are triaging several critical patients. I feel for him.
I could use some levity—or, at the very least, Mason’s sharp wit to help me fill my Sunday. He's also my best sounding board when I'm trying to work through something.
Hey, you. What are you up to?
His reply comes back almost immediately.
Currently overseeing the dismantling of last night’s “greatest wedding of the century.” You’d have loved it. And even though I'm not supposed to tell, Brad Pitt and Ines de Ramón were at the wedding!
I grin, already feeling a little lighter.
Sounds amazing. Why didn't you tell me sooner? I would have crashed the wedding.
What R U dismantling on a Sunday? Did you build a mini Taj Mahal or something?
A moment later, my phone pings again.
Oh, just the small matter of taking apart a temporary scaffolding we built over the koi pond so the trapeze artists could perform. You know, normal wedding stuff.
I laugh out loud, shaking my head.
Brad Pitt, trapeze artists and what else? Amazingness comes in threes, right? Let me guess—there was a live tiger, too?
Don’t be ridiculous. It was a Bengal tiger. And I had to hire a professional handler to escort it off the property this morning. Truly a day of thrills for everyone involved.
I roll my eyes, smiling despite myself.
Wait, are you serious about the tiger?
Dead serious.
I shake my head. I love my insane, never afraid to go out on a limb friend!
Can I come see Mason the Master at work? I need to get out of here for a bit.
Come after 2. I should be done with my active work by then. I need to finish heroically saving this koi pond. We’ve got leftover champagne cocktails, macaroons, and petit fours. We can sip, munch, and oversee the minions finishing up.
Shit. What am I going to do for four hours?
I set my phone down and exhale, staring at the email sitting at the top of my inbox. The idea of telling Mason about Hawaii both excites and terrifies me. He’ll have opinions, of course—he always does—but it’s the thought of saying it out loud that will make it real.