I See You (Campus Crush series)

25

(Present)

I was still riding the high from yesterday's and this morning's passionate hours of lovemaking, even as I sat ankles-crossed with Josephine on the opposite couch. As usual, Lucas had been right.

Make-up sex was the best kind.

I fought the lingering smirk as Josie asked me, "how was your day? Better than the last time we saw each other, I hope?"

"Oh, definitely. I daresay my depression has been cured."

She sent me a blank look. "Har har. And why do you say that?"

"No reason," I picked at the fringe of a pillow. "Just good old fashioned sex, no big deal."

"A temporary fix, unfortunately."

I was happy that she wasn't fazed by my dirty little confession, which made my respect for her increase. A true professional.

"Yes, I know," I conceded. "But who am I to complain?"

She smiled, appreciating my humor. "I'm still a bit surprised to find you were eager to see me again so soon."

"My husband had a lot to do with it." I shrugged one shoulder. Honestly, I was a sucker for that man; it made me laugh to myself. I could be stubborn sometimes, and he knew it. If he ever wanted to make me consider something, he only needed to get me in bed and I'd happily do his bidding.

Like this morning. I was having second thoughts about seeing Josephine again, afraid she'd just anger me all over again. But all David had to do was slide his strong hands up my naked inner thighs and whisper 'go to therapy.' I was too turned on to even argue.

So here we are.

"Let's pick up where we left off. Your job."

I started descending from my high at the speed of light. "What about it?"

"Well, I know it's not one that you enjoy. Tell me, when did it start to become clear that this dream job just might be a nightmare?"

I sighed, fidgeting with my fingers and hating that she could see right through me. "I... refused to perform a surgery I couldn't do. For a little girl around my daughter's age. The job was a nightmare for longer than that, of course, but that was the day I actually realized it. And how could I not?" My gaze fell down to my hands. "That child wasn't mine, but she'll always be my burden. Always."

(Past)

"Avery Weppler, what happened to you?" I breezed through the open room door after Lyanna led me there. Only I was expecting the Avery that had been discharged not too long ago.

Instead, the man in the bed was a sickly shell of him. He wore a nasal cannula, his eyelids seemed to droop with heaviness, his cool-toned brown complexion lost its glow and his usual smooth lips were now chapped.

I rushed to his side and grabbed his hand. He squeezed mine weakly, smiling softly. "I've been taking care of myself, I promise."

I shook my head. "Someone should be taking care of you."

He looked away like a child being scolded. Then he perked up, never resisting a reason to flirt with me. "Well, I'm here now, so maybe you can be that someone."

My lips tightened, but I eventually gave in with a sigh. "Of course I will."

I picked up his chart and studied it like a test. "Okay, you're having trouble breathing which explains the cannula. How long has this been a problem?"

"I guess since I was discharged. But it got serious pretty quickly."

I shook my head, pinching the bridge of my nose. "That panic attack you had before you left... it wasn't a panic attack at all," I realized. "You were practically gasping for air."