Nothing Feels Better (Better Love 3)

“Did you try soap first?” she asks slowly. “Shampoo?”

My face falls. “Don’t tell me I could have just used soap.”

Her laugh breaks free, deep and full-bodied, and I don’t care that I had to slather peanut butter all up in my hair if it means I got to hear this sound.

“I’ve had to get slime out of Jude’s hair several times. June’s once, and even mine once,” she explains after she’s caught her breath. “Shampoo and conditioner work just fine.” She swipes her fingers under her eyes, then hits me with a more subdued smile. “Thanks again for your help today.” She reaches into her scrubs pocket and pulls out a wad of cash, then tries to hand it to me.

“No way.” I throw my hands up and take a step back. “I offered to help. I don’t want money for it.”

“You have to let me pay you, Jesse,” she argues, and steps toward me, arm outstretched. I swat her hand away playfully and dart out of the kitchen. Her answering bark of laughter makes me smile.

“I don’t want your money, Classic. I had fun with your minis. If you want to do something for me, let me put your name down as a job reference. I need more peds experience.”

She eyes me skeptically. “You already got into med school, Jesse. You don’t need to build up your applications.”

“On my CV,” I correct, referencing the longer, more comprehensive version of a résumé, and she sighs.

“Okay,” she relents, and puts the money back in her pocket. “Thank you.”

“Same time tomorrow?”

Her eyes widen when I ask. “What? No, that’s okay. I don’t exp—”

“You got a clinical tomorrow?”

“Yeah.”

“You got someone to watch J-Squared?”

“I was going to call Patrick.”

I shake my head. Fuck that guy. “Nah. Don’t bother with the ex. I’ll be here tomorrow.” I make my way toward the door.

“You’re sure?”

“Totally.” I slip on my shoes, then turn back to her. “What’s with the camera?”

She opens her mouth, then closes it. Studies me. Then says, “Roxanne loaned it to me. I’m...taking some of her advice.”

“What is it?” I crack the door open, and she leans on the hallway wall.

She speaks slowly and clearly. “To be a full person.”

The list. Well, okay then. I open the door and step backwards onto the porch.

“See you in the morning, Jocelyn.”

“See you in the morning.”