Chapter 32
Carla
I sit behind my desk, dump my bag, put my coffee down, and get to it.
I have so much work to get through. There is a week of filing to catch up on, three separate approval forms for equipment requests that have been sitting in my inbox since before Mistveil, and Robyn’s diary needs a complete rebuild now that we’re back to full schedule.
We’re using the east side of the hangar while the restoration is taking place.
I make a list and start working through it from the top.
It feels good to be back to normal…well, sort of.
I pull up the first approval form, scan it, sign off on the ones that are straightforward, and flag the equipment budget query for Robyn to look at. I update her diary.
I am halfway through the filing when the door opens, and Robyn appears.
She’s in her white coat, with a badge on. She smiles as soon as she sees me.
“You look good,” she tells me as she walks over. Then she sits in the chair on the other side of my desk.
“Okay,” she says. “Tell me everything. Right now. I have fifteen minutes before I need to do my rounds.”
“Good morning to you, too.”
“Oh yes, good morning.” She laughs. “How are you? How are your feet? You really do look so much better. Perhaps like someone who got it all this weekend.” She grins. “Tell me all about Flint. Well, not alllllll of it but enough so that I am in the know.”
“It was great,” I say.
“And?” She leans forward on the chair.
“And nothing. It was a fun evening. We had a great time.”
She frowns. “You’re playing it down.”
“I’m not. We had a great time. I enjoy his company. The end!”
“When are you seeing him again?” Her eyes narrow.
I lick my lips. “I’m not.”
She sits back. “Oh. That’s disappointing. Why not? What happened?”
“He’s going to Mistveil for a few months.
Possibly longer. He’s going to help set up their security structure for the island and to oversee the setting up of integration centers for the feral males.
” I lift a shoulder. “We’ve decided to put whatever was happening on hold for now because long distance isn’t going to work. ”
“But you had a good time?”
“I really did.” I nod. “We’re friends. That part’s intact.”
“Well,” she says. “There are plenty of fish in the sea. Flint isn’t the be-all and end-all.”
“You’re right,” I tell her even though I’m really not looking for another fish.
“I know I am. There are a lot of perfectly good men out there and—”
“I know there are.” I give her a look. “And I’ll get to it at some point. Just not right now.” I make a face.
She narrows her eyes at me. “What does that mean?”
“It means what it says. I’m not looking for a man.”
“I think we should go out on Friday night. We’ll have some dinner and then go dancing. I’m pretty sure you’ll change your mind after a few cocktails. You’re like a guy magnet.”
I laugh. “I am not!” I pause. “Dinner sounds great, but I’m really not looking for anything else right now.”
She narrows her eyes more. “Who are you and what have you done with my friend? You love dancing. You enjoy male company. You told me just the other day that you want to settle down at some point, and that means getting out there and meeting people.”
“I did say that, and it is still my intention.” I pick up a file, not looking at it. “Just not right now.”
She looks at me, and some of the teasing drops out of her face.
“It was rough on Mistveil,” I tell her. “I’m still working through some of it. I want to feel like myself again before I try to be anything to anyone else.”
She nods slowly. “You said nothing happened. Did something happen while you were on Mistveil? I mean aside from being traumatized and in fear for your life. I know it was a biggie but…is there something you aren’t telling me? Something you need to tell me?”
Yes.
My mind instantly goes to Magma.
“No, nothing. But it was—” I search for it. “It rattled me. In ways I haven’t fully figured out yet.” I fold my hands on the desk. “I just need some time, that’s all.”
She sits forward. “You need to see someone. A professional. I’m serious, Carla. You were technically on duty when you were taken. Everything would be covered by the hospital.”
“I’m fine.” I wave a hand.
“You are not letting me finish.” She shakes her head. “I’m setting up the consult. I know exactly who to call. She is brilliant, and I’m not taking no for an answer. It wouldn’t hurt to talk about it.”
“It’s not necessary.”
“I’m doing it. And you’re going to go.” She gets up out of the chair, already pulling her phone from her coat pocket, clearly intending to make this call the moment she leaves this office.
“And we are going out on Friday. You and me. Forget the dancing, but we’ll go to dinner.
I feel like we need a little girl time.”
“Cosmos?”
“Obviously Cosmos.”
I feel something in me loosen a little. “Fine. Okay. Sounds nice.”
She stops by the door and turns back. Her expression goes from firm to softer in the space of a second. “I’m sorry about Flint.”
“It is what it is. The evening was good. I’m glad we did it.”
“Good.” She gets a look. Her eyes dance.
“What?” I ask.
“Ridge and I are moving in together.”
My mouth makes an O-shape for a few seconds. “That’s great, but quick. You’ve been together for a few weeks.”
“I know,” she says.
“That’s…fast.”
“I know how it sounds. But when you know, you know.” She shrugs, though there’s nothing casual about the way her whole face has lit up. “We’ve spent every night together since we got back together. He’s my person.”
“He’s a good guy,” I say. “It’s easy to see how happy he makes you.”
I’m jealous and happy for Robyn. If anyone deserves love, it’s her.
She looks pleased. “Thank you.”
“Whose place have you decided on? Or are you going to buy something together?”
“We’re moving into his place. He’s in a three-bedroom house, so it makes more practical sense.”
“Three bedrooms.” I lift my brows. “Are you two already talking about getting married and having children, or is the space just for your collection of medical textbooks?”
She laughs. “I’m not so sure about babies. I’m getting a little old for that.”
“Don’t. Don’t do that.” I widen my eyes at her. “You are absolutely not using age as a reason to stop wanting things.”
“I didn’t say I didn’t want them,” she says, catching my eye, and her voice is quieter now.
“Have you guys discussed marriage and babies?”
She shakes her head. “No. Not yet.”
“Not yet,” I repeat.
“Not yet,” she says. “We’re going to move in, see how that goes, and then we’ll see.”
“I’m really happy for you, Robyn.”
“You deserve to be as well,” she tells me. “I want all the good things for you too.”
“I’ll get there. These things can’t be rushed.” I pick up my pen, look at the file, and work very hard at not thinking about Magma, who is seeing someone else already. “I just need a little time first.”
“It’s okay to take time,” she says. “And I mean that. Just let me set up this consult.”
“Set it up,” I tell her. “I’ll go.” I nod.
“Yes, you will, because I will drive you there myself if I have to.”
“There will be no need. I agree. It’ll be good for me.”
She smiles.
“Now go do your rounds,” I say. “You’re going to be late, Doc.”
I am lucky to have her.
I still feel deflated and sad, but it is not as bad as before.