White Nights (White Nights 1)

When we arrive, I thank Yuri for dropping me off and stress the fact that I won’t need a ride home. On my way to the ER, I make a detour to the recovery wing, where I leave the flowers in a vase in an elderly lady’s room.

“My,” she says as I remove the cellophane wrapping. “Whatever are those for?”

I give her a smile. “They’re just too pretty to waste.”

“Well, I’ll certainly enjoy them.”

“Good,” I say, patting her hand.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, but I don’t take it out to check the message. I’m certain it’s from Alex, and I don’t want to deal with our short-lived sex dating right now. I need to focus. People’s lives depend on my presence of mind.

As patients with life-threatening and serious injuries fill my day, I temporarily forget about my insignificant problems. However, by lunchtime, I get a call from reception, informing me of a delivery. It’s a blue cooler bag.

This time, I resist the curiosity to peek inside. Grabbing the bag, I walk outside to look for Yuri, but neither the scary-looking Russian nor the black car is anywhere in sight. I’m about to turn when I spot a man across the road, leaning on a lamppost.

Dimitri.

He doesn’t even pretend not to look at me. Since I now know who he is, he stares openly. He continues to stare as I cross the road and stop in front of him.

Shoving the bag into his hands, I say, “Enjoy your lunch break.”

He barely catches the bag before it falls.

I don’t look back to check what he does. I walk back briskly, wolf down my sandwich, and have just enough time left for a hot cup of tea. While the infusion brews, I check my phone.

The text message from this morning wasn’t from Alex. It was from my mom. My stomach tightens as I read the message. She’s on her way back earlier than planned due to a bad spell of arthritis. She must be at the airport right now.

With only a couple of minutes left before I’m due back at my station, I dial my mom’s number. Thankfully, she picks up.

“Hey.” I blow out a sigh of relief. “I just read your message. Are you at the airport?”

“Hi, honey. I’m about to board the plane.”

I’m about to board? Not we’re about to board? “Where’s Martin?”

“Oh, he decided to stay.”

“What? He’s letting you fly back alone when you’re unwell?”

“There’s no point in spoiling both of our holidays. He still has a few days of vacation left. It would’ve been a shame to waste them.”

There’s more behind her nonchalant words. Her high-pitched voice tells me she’s close to tears.

“Are you kidding me? What kind of a boyfriend does that?”

“Well…” There’s a small pause. “Actually, we’re not together anymore.”

“What?” I exclaim. “I thought you really liked him.”

She sighs. “It seems my illness is too much for him to handle. Martin is a virile and active man. He doesn’t want to be bogged down with someone who can hardly move on some days when he can be out dancing and scuba diving.”

“Oh, Mom.” My heart breaks for her. “I’m so sorry.” I can’t believe Martin did this to her. “You know what? Good riddance. It’s his loss.”

“You know what they say. There’s plenty of fish in the sea.”

Her pep talk doesn’t fool me. She’s devastated. For once, my butterfly mom believed she was going into something long-term with a man, and he couldn’t handle her off days.

“Are you all right, though?” I ask, my chest tight with worry.

“I’ll be fine. I took my pills. I’m looking forward to a long nap on the plane.”

“Send me your flight number. I’ll meet you at the airport.”

“Oh, no, Katie. There’s no need to put yourself out. I’m a big girl. Listen, I have to go. The boarding gate is about to close. I’ll see you soon.”

“Love you, Mom. Be safe.”

“Love you too, honey.”

I end the call, fuming. How could Martin do this to her? Being sick isn’t her fault. She has better days. Why couldn’t he just be happy with those and be there for her on her worse days? Clearly, he wasn’t as much in love with her as he appeared to be.

Concern for my mom hovers in the back of my mind for the rest of the workday. At least I get off at three this afternoon.

When my shift ends, I change quickly and offer my colleagues a hurried goodbye before making my way outside—only to stop in the open doors. The black car is parked in its usual spot, with Yuri sitting in the driver’s seat. Dimitri is no longer at his post across the street.

Turning on my heel, I go back inside and take a side exit. From there, I walk toward the bus stop and catch an express bus to my mom’s. I can’t accept Alex’s charity any longer. It’s over. He has to get the message.