The Roommate (Roommates, #1)

I’d been in Denver for two weeks, and every day I told myself today was the day I’d start feeling better. Today was the day I’d get over Paige and finally be okay.

The only saving grace was that I threw myself into my work. My days were busy and stressful, and I didn’t have time to dwell on the past. But the persistent ache in my chest made it hard to forget her completely. It was a little too fucking ironic for me that my first weeks as a cardiologist were spent with a broken heart.

After a grueling twelve-hour shift, I was ready to go home. I pulled off my lab coat and stuffed it into my bag. Gathering up my stuff, I closed my locker and headed out. I still hadn’t gotten used to walking out into the bright sunlight after a long night shift. The blackout curtains in my new apartment ensured I slept while the rest of the world was busy.

I fished my cell phone from my pocket and dialed my mom. It was mid-morning in Michigan, and I knew she’d be home.

“Morning,” she sang when she answered.

“Hey, Mom.”

“Just get off work?” she asked.

I fought back a yawn. “Yeah. How are you? Any plans for today?” Though I knew she was doing okay, it didn’t stop me from checking in on her a few times a week.

“Not really. Allie and I might go shopping tonight. Did you decide to join that softball league?” she asked, referring to the doctor’s softball league I’d been invited to join.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Yeah, I think I’m going to.” At least it would get me off my ass after work.

“Good.” Mom sighed. “I don’t like the idea of you being lonely.”

“I’ll be fine, Mom. Don’t worry about me.” I slipped into my car and started it, pulling out of the employee parking lot underneath the hospital.

“You know . . .” Mom hesitated for a few minutes, and I was so tired that I forgot what we were talking about. “There’s something I want to tell you.”

“What’s that?”

“If there’s one thing I learned with Bob’s passing, it’s that life is too short to spend it unhappy, Cannon-ball.”

In my mind, I saw Paige. Saw her sleepy blue eyes, pictured her soft body curled beside mine. That familiar ache in my chest was back. I wasn’t sure if Mom’s message was about Paige or not, but that was where my brain immediately jumped.

It was time to take a chance. Otherwise, I’d live with regret for the rest of my life.