Lucy sighed. “Jason would have loved this scholarship.”
“Yes, he would have.” Stashing the lunches in the fridge, Renae rested a hand on Lucy’s plump shoulder. “It’s the perfect way to honor his memory.”
Lucy reached up to cover Renae’s hand with her own. “It is. Even if it was started to soothe Evan Daugherty’s guilty conscience,” she grumbled.
Leaning over to brush a kiss against Lucy’s soft cheek, Renae gave a little chuckle. “Whatever the reason, it’s a good thing. Thank you for donating the blanket.”
“I love you, Renae.”
Swallowing a lump in her throat, Renae held on to her smile with an effort. “Love you, too. Good night, Lucy.”
* * *
The next week was hectic at the clinic. With the holidays coming up soon, patients were trying to get their eye exams in beforehand. Those with vision-coverage insurance plans needed appointments before the end of the year, and many had put off scheduling until the last minute.
Renae stayed so busy she barely had time to look at the clock Wednesday afternoon, though she was aware of the passing minutes. She told herself it was just as well she was occupied. She would just stay a little later than usual, then head home.
She didn’t need to see Evan today. It would be better if she didn’t. Even if every inch of her ached to be with him. Which only made her more certain she should stay away.
Taking advantage of a brief lull, her coworker Cathy glanced at the clock at 5:45. “Today’s your scholarship meeting, isn’t it, Renae?”
“Oh, I can skip it today,” Renae said airily, keeping her eyes focused on some papers in front of her. “As busy as we are, I should stay a little late to help.”
“No need for that. The last patients are in with the doctors now, so Lisa and I can handle everything.”
“But—”
“Seriously, Renae. Go to your meeting. We’ve all noticed how much you’re enjoying them.”
“I, uh— What?”
Cathy smiled. “You just always seem to look forward to them. I can’t blame you. That good-looking guy who came in to see Dr. Sternberg a few weeks ago is on the committee, right?”
“Yes, he’s one of the scholarship founders,” Renae agreed vaguely.
“But you have to admit he is also seriously hot.”
“Smoking hot,” Lisa agreed soberly from her nearby desk. Until then, Renae hadn’t even realized Lisa was listening.
Renae shook her head. “You two are incorrigible.”
Cathy snorted. “Like you don’t agree with us. You think we haven’t noticed how nicely you’ve been dressing lately? Even on days other than Wednesdays. It’s like you’ve suddenly started paying a little more attention to your clothes and makeup—which is a good thing.”
Renae was a little taken aback. Maybe she had been dressing with a bit more care lately—not that she’d been exactly sloppy before, she thought with a frown. She’d simply tried to be a bit more fashionable, more age-appropriate, not falling into the sort of matronly rut Lucy favored. She’d thought the changes were subtle, that her coworkers wouldn’t even notice. Apparently, they were more observant than she’d given them credit for.
“You look nice,” Lisa agreed, nodding.
Cathy pointed a finger meaningfully toward Renae. “Wouldn’t hurt you to go out with a smoking-hot guy. You’re young and single, the kids are getting old enough to be more self-sufficient. And by the way, find out if he has a brother, will you?”
“He doesn’t. He has a sister,” Renae replied without thinking.
Cathy looked rather pleased, as if there were some significance to the personal knowledge. Lisa giggled.
Exasperated with both of them, Renae slid a patient file into place. When she turned, she found Cathy standing behind her, holding Renae’s purse.
“Go to your meeting,” Cathy said. “We’ll see you in the morning.”
“Go,” Lisa echoed. “You deserve to have a little fun.”