by Len Webster
Like kiss her.
Feeling any better?
I’m sure it’s just the forty-eight-hour flu that’s going around. Which means only twenty-four more to go.
I called Nadia, and you have the weekend off.
Please don’t hate me if it lasts longer. I’m going into quarantine so I don’t get sick since West is feeling better.
Josie groaned as she scrunched up the sticky note she found on her bedroom door. Then she read the one behind the note she had just peeled off.
West just messaged.
He says he’s sorry for making you sick by staying over.
Seriously, stay in bed. I will check on Em for you and tell her. While I’m there, I’ll call so you can talk to her.
I love you, Josie.
STAY THE HELL IN BED!
Stella—the best roommate and best friend in the world.
This time she rolled her eyes and peeled the square piece of paper from her door to find, unsurprisingly, another note.
How to cure the flu?
Watch Gilmore Girls.
As recommended by Dr Stella Weller
(DVDs are on the coffee table. Episode of Rory graduating high school is on pause because I know how much you love that episode.)
Josie smiled.
Her best friend was a lot of things.
And thoughtful was definitely one of them.
But as Josie stared at the small writing on the note, she wondered, “How did she manage to fit it all on such tiny square pieces of paper?”
When she pulled the note down, she found another.
To answer your question,
I had to rewrite all these notes about a trillion times before they could fit.
And then she found the last note.
No, I can’t read your mind.
I just knew you’d ask.
LOVE YOU.
Stella xo.
Because the last note made her laugh, Josie left it on her bedroom door and held the stack of sticky notes until she made it to the large kitchen. When she agreed to her father’s terms of where she would live, it meant the apartment being refurbished to appease her father. It was before her mother’s very first cancer diagnosis. When her father’s assistant told him of her need for help, Josie had been embarrassed and never returned his calls. Her mother had played middleman and was able to get them both to agree to conditions.
It meant a new car.
It meant expenses paid for.
Until Josie had gotten so mad at her father for not calling for her birthday that she cancelled the apartment’s amenities and put them under her name instead of her father’s. Bills began to stack up, and she had worked extra to pay them off—never telling Stella what she had done and never asking her roommate for any money.
Josie wasn’t ashamed to admit she had a lot of pride.
Her father was the only person who ever tested it.
She had been scorned and abandoned by the man far too many times.
Upon reaching the kitchen counter, she set Stella’s sticky notes down and let out another groan. The fogginess in her head and the heaviness in her eyes made it hard for her to stay awake. Her best friend was right. She should stay in bed, but she had an appointment with a doctor to get a medical certificate for her tutors and lecturers. She was sure whatever she had wasn’t going to go away in a day’s time. Josie would kill Stella’s boyfriend for infecting the apartment with his sickness.
Suddenly, she felt something vibrate against her rear. Josie swung a hand around to find the cause of her vibrating bottom. It was several messages from Max. When she glanced at the time on her phone, she saw it was 10 a.m. and her ‘Do Not Disturb’ function had ceased for the day.
Smiling through the heat that consumed her body—which she blamed on her sickness rather than seeing Max’s name—she unlocked her phone and read his texts.
Max: Do you think I’m a bad friend and tutor if I tried to persuade you not to be a divorce attorney?
Max: Seriously, will you hate me?
She laughed at his questions.
Josie: You’re a lawyer. Convince me that your arguments are valid.
Max: Well, for one, you’d have to deal with Sully. He’s the lawyer who’s going through a divorce with his cheating ex-wife and is about to lose everything. Plus, I’m sitting in on this meeting with him and his new client. I feel horrible for finding it so entertaining to watch two people belittle each other after having vowed to love each other through thick and thin.
Josie: You’re only convincing me that it’s my field. The higher the marriage rate, the higher the divorce rate.
Max: Or you could be a prosecutor? But you’d have to face my father in a courtroom.
She bit back a grin as she climbed up onto the barstool by the bench and sat down. Her body felt almost too light to trust it to keep her vertical.
Josie: I’m sure by the time I’m a lawyer—wait, scratch that. IF I become a lawyer—I might have the confidence to prosecute your father’s clients. But right now, I haven’t chosen what kind of lawyer I really want to be.
Max: My father would not stand a chance with you in a courtroom. You already charmed him. Trust me; I hear it when he steps into my office wondering how I met a woman like you. We can discuss your field of practice when I come over to tutor you.
Her heart swelled in her chest.
She loved that his father wondered about her.
That Max spoke about her to others.
But Josie knew his heart was not hers to claim. Not when it was divided into two—maybe not-so-equal parts. One part belonged to Sarah and another to Andrea. Josie knew she couldn’t own a part.
Not romantically.
Whatever space he had left, she hoped it housed a spot for their friendship.
Because she was sure that was all he’d ever give her.
And to be fair to him meant being honest.
So she began her honest text about cancelling today’s tutoring.
Josie: Today’s not a good day for tutoring, which sucks because I had a question about equities that I’ve been meaning to ask you. I’ll email it later.
Max: How about during the weekend? Josie, I told you to message me at any time when it comes to your classes.
Josie: Max, you deal with all this legal stuff every day. You must get tired of it. Surely, tutoring me is painful. But this weekend is not gonna work.
Max: Are you avoiding me? Was Wednesday night too much? I don’t know if I’ve crossed a line.
Oh, Max.
He surely didn’t play fair.
Josie: Max, I’m sick. Have been since yesterday morning. I’m seeing a doctor to get a medical certificate in an hour, and I really don’t want to get you sick, too. I don’t think the companies who pay you will appreciate you being unable to work. And I definitely don’t want to be invoiced their legal fees. I’m not avoiding you. I like you, remember?
To her horror, she had pressed send.
“I like you?” she said in disbelief. “Shit, shit, shit!”
There was no way to cover it.
No way to take it back.
So she sent him a retraction.
Josie: Don’t let it get to your head. I like you, yes. As a friend, yes. I should have clarified, but I’m sick. Please don’t judge me.
One minute.
Two.
Five minutes.
Ten.
Max: Sorry, had a client drop by for a quick chat. I don’t judge you. I will never judge you. Message me when you get home from the doctor’s so I know you made it back.
Just as relief poured over her stressful heart, Max sent her another message.
Max: And, Josie, to be very honest and real with you, I like you. In whatever way you want me to like you back.
And that message became a problem for her heart.
Her mind.
Her sanity.
Her hopes.
And her supposed friendship with Maxwell Sheridan.
Josie nodded and raised her arm to wipe the sweat off her forehead with the sleeve of her hoodie. She wasn’t sure if her heated cheeks were from embarrassment that the cute doctor was seeing her at her very worst or from the stupid flu she had.
“How come my roommate’s boyfriend only had this for like two days?” she whined rather than asked.
Dr Ryder chuckled.
And Ryder?
Of course, his name would be ‘Ryder’?
More like ride-her.
Josie bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from smiling. Jokes like those were wasted on her own ears. Stella would have found it hilarious and agree. She allowed her eyes that moment to take in his arms as he began to type notes into her file.
Doctors shouldn’t wear such tight shirts.
“I’ve been doing some training for a charity run,” Dr Ryder said as he removed his focus from his computer screen to smile at her.
“I said that out loud?”
“You did,” he confirmed.
She sank into her seat in embarrassment.
She decided then that Dr Jennings, her usual doctor, was not getting a Christmas card this year for being away when Josie was sick.
“Sorry,” she quickly apologised. His laughter threw her off. Normally, she was so sure of herself with men, but this very attractive doctor was a rarity. Especially since she wasn’t expecting him. “You won’t ever see me again. I promise no more emergency doctor visits from me. I just really needed that medical certificate.”
Ryder swivelled his chair to look at her properly. His eyes fell to her chest. And oh, did she love that his eyes remained there.
Oh, Josie, you are a pervert.
Lack of sex + the flu = undeniably sexually starved.
“Deakin, huh?”
“Yep,” she confirmed as she glanced down at the university hoodie she had worn.
“What are you studying?”
“Law.”
“You’re going to be a lawyer. That’s impressive.”
“Not as impressive as a doctor.”
Stop it.
Stop flirting with the very cute doctor.
Ryder’s cheeks flared with the colour red. “Well, I’m glad you’re impressed. I’ll sign this certificate, and you’ll be on your way.”
Josie smiled. She was sure she looked delirious because she began to feel it.
The doctor returned to his computer, pressed a button, and then after several minutes, retrieved her medical certificate from the printer. He signed the paper flawlessly and then handed it to her. “I mean it, Miss Faulkner, plenty of rest.”
“I’ll rest when I get my law degree.” She folded the evidence her tutors and lecturers would need.
“Thought you’d be a determined one. So that medical certificate is until Tuesday. Not sure if you have classes on Monday, but I’d assume so. Though I’m not your regular doctor, I’d highly suggest you get a blood test so we can see how your iron levels are. I can see how tired you are, and it isn’t from the flu.”
You have no idea.
“I can’t make promises, but if you tell Dr Jennings, she’ll call me relentlessly to make it happen.”
He grinned at her. “I’ll be sure to let her know.”
“Thanks,” Josie said as she picked up her bag from the floor and stood from the chair where she’d been sitting.
“Miss Faulkner, before you go,” Ryder said.
“Yes?”
He got out of the leather chair and towered over her. Those grey eyes were pretty, but they didn’t make her feel as if she were lost in them like Max’s.
“Now that I’m officially not your doctor, and I hope you don’t find this inappropriate, but would you like to grab dinner sometime? When you’re feeling better, of course.” He asked so politely that a yes almost fell out of her mouth.
Ryder wasn’t like the typical men she dated.
He was the complete opposite.
And to her disappointment, her father would approve of him.
The realisation had her frowning.
“I know I’m a lot older than the guys you probably date. But I find you attractive and funny. I’d kick myself if I didn’t at least ask,” he said.
A smile tugged at her lips, but she forced it back. “I have a lot going on at the moment.”
The disappointment reached his eyes. “Of course. You’re a busy woman. I’ll let you continue with your day.”
She nodded then spun around and made her way towards the door. When she reached it, she paused and let out a heavy exhale. Her father might approve of a doctor, but her mother would be thrilled that she’d possibly date someone like Ryder. She returned to the doctor in a matter of seconds.
“Dr Ryder, you seem nice. If you were my regular doctor, I’d tell you that this is completely inappropriate. But since you’re not, then there’s nothing wrong here. Right?”
“Right,” he agreed.
“I’m not going to make you a promise for dinner. I have a lot going on in my life. I probably won’t ever see you again—”
“I’ll take that chance,” he cut her off.
“Just please don’t hold your breath. I have a year left with my law degree. If by some chance in a year’s time you’re free, then sure.”
He laughed. “A year, Miss Faulkner?”
“More like a year and a half. I have this semester and then next year.”
“So when you’re done, you’re saying we could possibly go for dinner?”
“If you’re free,” she added.
“All right,” Ryder agreed and reached out and took the medical certificate from her. Then he scribbled something on the back of it and handed it back to her. “In case you have free time before you finish your degree.”
That had her heart fluttering.
Not as strong as she had felt before.
But it was there.
She said nothing as she made her way out of his office and down the hall. Once she reached the end, she heard a door open behind her and someone calling, “Miss Faulkner,” behind her.
Josie spun around to find the doctor wrapping a stethoscope around his neck. “It’s just Zac.”
“And it’s just Josie,” she said and then spun back around and headed out of the medical centre, feeling oddly satisfied and ashamed of herself.
“Takeaway order for Max,” the woman behind the counter said in a flirty voice.
Max got up from the bench he was sitting on and headed to the counter. He smiled at the waitress. She had served him several times before, but he had never stuck around long enough to get her name.
“Thanks,” he said as he collected the soup from her. “I’m sorry. I never got your name.”
Her lashes fluttered as surprise consumed her pale hazel eyes, brightening the line of yellow around her iris. “It’s Fel.”
“Fel?”
She nodded. A blush succumbed her cheeks, and it was the perfect backdrop for her freckles. She was pretty, but her young girlish features weren’t for him. “Short for Felicity.”
“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Fel. I’ll see you next time.”
“You, too, Max,” she said as Max spun around and made his way out of the restaurant and to his car.
When he reached his car, he pulled the key out of his pocket and unlocked it. Careful not to spill the soup, he opened the passenger side door and set the takeout food on the seat. As he closed the door, his phone vibrated in his jacket pocket. He pulled it out to find Noel
calling him.
Guilt doubled in his chest. He had been avoiding Nolan Parker’s text message for two days. His priority was Josie. After that, he simply wanted to forget it was there. Realising what a shit friend Max had been, he answered the call and made his way to the driver’s side.
“Hello,” Max greeted as he opened the car door and slipped inside. He shoved the key into the ignition and turned his Porsche to life. Then he got to work getting his phone connected to his car.
Seconds passed, and he heard Noel say, “Hey, Max. How are you?” through the speakers.
“Not bad,” he replied as he put his seat belt on. He had indicated right, checked that he was clear to pull out, and drove towards Collingwood.
“That’s good. Your father not pressuring you to take on more clients?”
Max shook his head, aware that his best friend couldn’t see it. “He’s got me shadowing other lawyers in the firm. Seeing how they all work. He takes time away from my current clients, but besides that, he has eased off a little.”
“That’s good, mate.”
A sense of accomplishment washed over him as he heard the proudness in Noel’s voice. When he finally told him what he had done behind his back, he knew that would be gone. He just hoped Noel would still consider him his friend afterwards.
“How are you and Clara doing?”
Noel sighed. “Good. I feel like I barely see her anymore. Her classes and assignments have her preoccupied. Honestly, her doing this degree is pointless. I don’t mind paying for it, but that’s just it. I’m not paying for it. She’s using some of her trust fund money, and it’s hard to watch her waste it. She doesn’t need to finish her business degree to be a dessert chef. She had promised to use the money to open her own bakery.”
