“She’s on a date. Besides, I see her all the time and don’t want to see her more than I have to.”
Natalia chuckled like she knew I was kidding. “What does she do?”
“She’s a physician too. A diagnostician.”
“Does she work at the Harper Clinic?”
“Yes. How’d you know?”
“I’ve heard a lot about them, and if she’s nearly as bright as you, I’d imagine that’s where she’d be.”
“Yeah, she’s kinda smart.”
She smiled then ate another chip.
My gaze wanted to shift back to Daisy to study the guy, to see if he was good enough for her or just going to break her heart, but I had to respect her privacy and appreciate that she was a grown woman who could do whatever she wanted. So, I ignored the impulse.
Our conversation went quiet because we’d already spent the last two hours talking. We were all caught up.
“I’m sorry to hear about your divorce…”
My eyes turned back to her, feeling that weight fall into my stomach like it always did whenever someone mentioned it. All I could do was give a nod because I didn’t want to invite any questions or further conversation.
“Are you seeing anyone now?”
I was surprised she asked something like that. Our relationship had always been professional, mixed with a bit of friendship and affection, but I never asked about her personal life, and at the time, she never asked about mine. I was certain she wasn’t married and had never married. She seemed too busy and fulfilled to make a commitment like that, not when she was committed to the heart. “My personal life is pretty casual right now.” I’d meet a woman on a Friday night, and we might have a fun weekend, but by Sunday evening, I’d mentally checked out and I was already focused on work the upcoming week. I just wanted to get laid and have a good time, and that was exactly how I presented myself to the women I met in the bars or on the subway. I didn’t waste their time. I didn’t pretend to be seriously interested to get them into bed. If they wanted good sex and a fun weekend, I was the man for the job. If they wanted something serious, I was not at all qualified for the position.
She nodded and broke a chip between her fingertips. “Mine too. It’s been that way for a long time.”
I never questioned her about it because I had too much respect for her to cross the line like that.
“I always knew I didn’t want a husband. With a fifty-percent divorce rate, I just didn’t see the point. Would you gamble your life savings on a fifty-fifty chance?” She shook her head and dunked the chip into the salsa before placing it in her mouth.
When I got married, I hadn’t thought of it as a gamble. I fell in love and thought it would last forever. I thought we were different from everyone else, that the love we had was real and timeless, that everyone else in the world was miserable, but not us.
Wow. So fucking naïve.
“And kids…no thanks. I don’t have time for that. When I devoted myself to this life, I knew that would never be in the cards for me. They require so much time and dedication, and my patients deserve that more.”
I nodded like I understood.
“Are kids something you want someday?”
Really odd question. “No. And I’ll pass on the marriage too.”
She smiled, like that was exactly the answer she was hoping for.
We said goodbye outside the restaurant.
“How long are you in New York?” I asked, my hands in the front pockets of my jeans.
“Just for the week. I have a couple appointments and a conference.”
“Great. I’m glad we could catch up.”
Her small purse was over her shoulder, her blue eyes so astute and intelligent. Her mind always seemed to be processing a million things at once, like a computer that could run multiple programs. “I’m actually relocating to the city.”
“You are?” I asked in surprise. “You’re leaving Johns Hopkins?”
“I’ve been there for a decade, and I think I’ve accomplished everything I possibly can. I’ve been offered a research position at NYU, and I just couldn’t pass it up. They also offered me a full-time faculty position.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“Will you still be seeing patients?”
“Always,” she said with a smile. “But the work is repetitive, and I need more intellectual stimulation to remain content.”
“Understandable.” I turned to the street and raised my hand to wave down a cab for her. “Well, I had a great time catching up. With your move to the city, maybe we could see each other—”
She pressed her lips to mine, her palm flattening on my chest.
I didn’t react, just let her kiss me, because the embrace was so unexpected.
When I didn’t kiss her back, she pulled away but left her hand on my chest. Her gaze was still confident, like my lack of cooperation didn’t disappoint her in the slightest.