Just One Reason by Jaime Clevenger

Author:Jaime Clevenger [Clevenger, Jaime]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781642471540
Publisher: Bella Books
Published: 2020-06-30T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

“You okay?” Sam knew what she’d said in the cafe had upset Terri, had made her pull back, but she wasn’t sure how to fix it. Despite the fact that they were walking right next to each other, she seemed miles away now.

“I’m fine. Still getting over that kiss.” Terri’s tone was light. “And I’m hoping it was a promise of more to come.”

“It was.” Sam didn’t believe her entirely, but she understood the deflection. Outside, with the sun shining on a beautiful morning, she didn’t want to restart a tense conversation either.

“Actually, I’m not totally fine.”

Sam waited. When Terri didn’t go on, she said, “What is it?”

“I can’t seem to accept that you’re quitting. You’re a good doctor, Sam. And I know I need to let it go, but I can’t… You’ve got less than two years of the residency left. The photography has to be on hold until that’s over, but then you could swing both. You’re enough of a rock star that I know you could make it work.”

Sam nodded slowly. “I kept telling myself that. And I think I could make it work—if I actually wanted to be a doctor. I’m not really having second thoughts. I’m processing everything I’m giving up. And I wish you weren’t part of that.”

“What do you mean?”

“If I’d stayed in Sacramento, I think I would have had a chance for a real relationship with you. Eventually.” Sam caught Terri’s eye and smiled. “But now we’ll be in two different worlds, three hours apart. I’m sure you’re probably thinking—why start something?”

Sam hoped Terri would argue. When she didn’t, she continued, “I’m hoping you’ll consider it anyway. I know you’re upset that I’m quitting, but you’re the only part of the last six years of my life that I don’t want to lose.”

“Who said you ever had me to lose?”

Sam clenched her jaw. The anger she’d felt at Terri for trying to change her mind, for acting as if she was the only adult making sane decisions, came back full force.

“You made your choice,” Terri continued. “I need to get over it.”

They walked a full block before Sam’s anger simmered down enough for her to think. She needed to restart the conversation on neutral ground if they were going to make it through the rest of the day.

Sam stopped walking and Terri did too. When she met Sam’s gaze, she didn’t look mad. More than anything else, she seemed tired. Sam stretched out her hand and Terri clasped it. “I don’t want to fight.”

“Me neither,” Terri said.

“I’m sorry for quitting.”

“I’m sorry too. And you’re right. If you’d decided to stay, I was going to ask you out. I’d thought it all over while you were gone. Decided I’d take the risk.” Terri exhaled. “I liked the game we played last night. Apparently I like someone telling me what to do. And, honestly, I’m still processing all that too. But we both know this is over when I leave.”

“It doesn’t have to be.

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