Chapter 16
C laudia, the clinic administrator, clasped her hands on her desk. “I can’t apologize enough, Dr. Patel. Dr. Bezos’s behavior toward you was inexcusable and, well, we know how it turned out for the former COO.”
Right. There were two new openings in the clinic. “I wish I hadn’t waited so long to lodge a complaint.”
Her boss’s forehead creased. “That’s never something I want to hear. Rest assured, we’re combing through the process and removing any trouble. Prescription abuse alone is a serious issue, and the rest could cost us valuable employees and, even worse, patient trust.”
“Thank you. So much.”
Claudia moved like she was going to get up, but hesitated. “I hope you realize that you were hired based on your resume and letters of recommendation. That fact that Dr. Patel is your dad was more of an obstacle for you, for the very reason you’re in my office.”
Nepotism. “I understand. But it’s good to hear.” It was fabulous to hear. She hadn’t been hired because of her dad. Fuck Bezos and his rumors.
Two weeks had passed since she’d walked out of Justin’s.
Her career was secure. She’d never been more open with her parents.
She should be floating out of the office, but her feet were as heavy as lead.
Or those thick steel-toed boots Justin wore when he moved snow.
They’d made her wedge boots look so small and delicate.
Like, a rancher’s wife?
Why not? So she didn’t travel to exciting places like Devya for work or help birth lambs in the middle of a pasture like Justin.
Yes, her work environment was more controlled, but she still occasionally found herself on a stool with both hands inside of a woman, pulling a tiny human out.
Okay, so the stool part didn’t happen often, but even some C-sections required more leverage, different positions, and were messy in their own right.
Very messy. And smelly. She couldn’t hold up her hands and declare that she wasn’t cut out for the job.
He didn’t want a relationship, not even one with her. Maybe she could’ve done things differently to change his mind, but…he could’ve, too. She missed Isaiah. She’d shed tears over both of them.
After leaving Claudia’s office, she stepped outside and burrowed her chin into her collar. The March wind had a hint of warmth to come, but it was still cold this time of year. No trees had begun budding, and everything was still brown.
Cold and dead.
Sort of how she felt inside.
She glanced at the time. She had the afternoon off since she’d been on call earlier in the week. What to do?
Her phone was in her hand before she gave it much thought. The number was dialed. Her non-relationship with Justin had been terminated, but there was another she’d neglected for too long.
This time when Devya answered, there was no music banging on the other end. “ Bonjour ?”
“It’s me.”
“Good. I can speak English and not pretend I’m British.”
A laugh escaped Priya. “Why would you do that?” Though Dev was probably excellent at it. All she had to do was copy Papa and Nana.
“Artists can be…weird. I get more street cred as British than I do as American. People here see how I look and don’t know what to say when an American accent comes out. Especially if my Minnesotan slips and I say uffda.”
“Some of the patients are still like that,” she said drily.
“Seriously?” Her frustrated sigh gusted over the line. “Anyway, what’s up?”
“I called to see how you’re doing.”
The other end of the line went quiet. “Are Mom and Dad worried?”
“ I’m worried. We need to talk. Do you want to go first, or do you want me to?” She wasn’t giving Devya an option to back out. They were sisters. They were going to talk like sisters.
“You? I’ve gotta hear this.”
“Only if you promise to tell me what’s going on with you.”
“Cross my heart.”
“Remember when I mentioned hanging out with Justin Walker?” The story poured out of her like floodwaters over sandbags.
“Pri…” Devya breathed. “I don’t know whether to be sad or proud. I’m a little of both, actually. And mad at him. What the fuck is he thinking? He’d be lucky to have you.”
She should’ve called Devya weeks ago. “I wish I could sound as righteous, but you were right. He grows wool, I prefer cashmere.”
“Then wear cashmere! On s’en fout .”
“You know I don’t speak French.”
“I said ‘who cares.’ But you deserve the best and if he doesn’t see it, then he’s not the best.”
Her head knew it was true, but her heart refused to get the message. “Don’t think I forgot our deal. Talk.”
Priya started the car to kick in some heat.
Laying her head back and closing her eyes, she listened as Devya described her perceived failures as an artist and her refusal to come back until she made something of herself.
Turned out that having two highly professional and driven parents and a sister who followed in the same footsteps was intimidating.
Devya was hindered by insecurity. Enough so that it affected her daily routine until she neglected her responsibilities and partied instead.
She stared at the cloudy sky. “That’s why our parents and grandparents are worried about you.”
“I’m proof it’s possible to babysit someone from thousands of miles away.”
“I’ve always been jealous of you, you know.”
“You’re kidding.”
She wished. “Serious as a heart attack.”
“Dad always says that.”
“I know. Being the responsible one means it feels like you get all the attention. Ask me if it still bothers me even though we’re adults.”
“ I get all the attention? They call me and talk about you . Priya did this. Priya did that. They’re so proud of you.”
Hadn’t this argument been part of Justin’s issues with her? She didn’t talk. Not about herself, and never about her life. She’d been doing it to her sister, too. “They’re proud of you, too. You have talent and you’re chasing it. Don’t give up. Unless it’s driving you crazy. Then come home.”
Devya chuckled. “Is that your professional opinion?”
“Yes. And I miss your face.” An idea popped into her head, and it sounded better and better the more she thought about. “I’m going to come visit you.”
Devya let out a delighted gasp. “When? I have a break in classes this summer.”
“Send me the dates. There’s no better way to use my vacation time.”
“Uh-huh. And if the hot sheep farmer finds his brains by then, bring him, too.”
The sadness she’d been trying to fight off rushed back. “It’ll just be me.”
“Mm-hmm. Either way, come see me. Just give me warning so I can clean before you get here. I made a deal with myself to not return until I can afford my own ticket back.”
“Then I’ll come out and visit as often as I can.” And she’d be by herself.
“You’re not going home all sad now, are you? I can’t let you do that.”
“You’re half a world away.”
“Convince me you’re going to do something for yourself.”
Devya and her “do something for yourself.” How often had she been right and Priya had been annoyed? “There’s this party. A fancy one.”
“Tell me more.”
Priya explained about Natasha, her ex, and the gala. “I was hoping I could go show Emmett what he’d missed, but I’m not feeling it.”
“One, he did miss out. Two, fake it until you make it.”
“Fine. I’ll go.” She’d go and live out the moment she’d fantasized about. Emmett would see the new Priya, the one who’d fought for her job and won. He didn’t have to know she’d fought for her man and lost.
But before she did anything for herself, she had a call to make. The sudden decision was too important for her to chicken out. She’d put it off so long, and because of it, the whole town had fallen for Dr. Bezos’s bullshit.
Okay, not the whole town. But enough that she had some spin control to do.
When Katherine answered, Priya jumped in. “Hi. It’s Priya. Can you meet me for a drink?”
The loud music irritated every last nerve, but it was better than the quiet at home. Isaiah made his share of noise, but he wasn’t the best conversationalist yet. And he was staying the night with his grandparents.
After sitting in his house for an hour with a glass of wine he hadn’t touched, he’d called Caleb.
It was April and he’d thought the lambing season would take his mind off how badly he missed Priya.
No. He was tired and cranky. Every morning this week, Brigit and Caleb had played paper-rock-scissors in front of him to decide who got to hang out inside with Isaiah and who had to deal with his crabby ass.
He shouldn’t run them off. Most days, they were the only adult interaction he got. Not that he wanted to talk to anyone else. He only wanted to talk to one person, but she hadn’t even texted since she’d left.
And if she had, what would he have said? I don’t care if you talk to me or not, just come back ?
Not talking hadn’t worked out well last time.
Justin nursed his beer. Caleb was across from him, and he had just waved Lucas over. Lucas was a couple years older than them, but since he used to pal around with Aaron, who was married with kids now, Lucas palled around with anyone who’d have him.
Lucas set his foamy mug on the table and sat down. Looking at Caleb, he asked, “Bridge let you out of the house?”
Justin could answer for him. Brigit had probably told Caleb to try and cheer her brother up, or talk some sense into him. His sister bugged him at least once a week. Have you called her yet?
Why would I call her?
Because, as my brother, you get away with not saying much. You can’t do that with someone you care about.
He’d asked why she assumed it was him and not just her.
I’m your twin and you barely talk to me.
Since when had she become Priya’s number-one fan?
“She’s at an ag convention with Farah all weekend.” Caleb pushed his empty bottle to the edge of the table.
“I should’ve gone to that one, too.” Lucas took a swig, his gaze roaming the bar. Whenever he was in here, he always seemed distracted. Was that his normal? Or did he come here for someone?
Thinking about it took Justin’s mind off Priya. Oh look. He was back.