My December Darling

26. Catalina

26

CATALINA

M y two suitcases drag behind me like a lead block as I make my way through the Los Angeles airport. Despite being excited to see Monica, there is a heaviness in my limbs that I’m unaccustomed to, and there is a dull throb building behind my temples when I think about starting my new job tomorrow. The position might be temporary, but the growing ache in my chest feels like it is only beginning.

I do my best to push my oppressive thoughts aside once I step outside. Monica’s blond hair and bright athletic set makes her easy to spot, and I rush over to her. She pulls me into her open arms, and thankfully, some of the tension in my body bleeds away.

“I’m so excited that you’re here!” She opens her trunk and helps me place my luggage inside.

“Me too.” I try my best to sound excited, but the statement seems to be lacking based on the way she looks at me.

“Missing Luke already?”

“No,” I say unconvincingly.

Yes, I miss him, but admitting it aloud to Monica is nearly as hard as coming to terms with it myself. It seems silly to miss someone I have only just started to get to know, but then again, he made sure I saw him almost every day over the last two weeks. His efforts to make me crave his company appeared to have worked a little too well, and now I’m left wondering how the hell I’m going to make it through three months away from him.

Assuming you find a job near Lake Wisteria in twelve weeks .

My stomach clenches as worry worms its way into my heart.

“I think I know just the thing to cheer you up.” Monica’s chipper voice draws me out of my head.

“What?”

“Burgers and the beach!”

“How’s the apartment?” Luke asks.

“Good.” I readjust the volume on my earbuds so I can hear him better while I mill about, organizing my sparse number of items into their rightful place.

“Is it as nice as you remember?”

I look around the sublease. There is a peekaboo view of the ocean, which makes up for the older furnishings and outdated kitchen and bathroom. I was shocked to see that the same studio apartment I rented years prior was available again, and while it hasn’t changed much since my last stay, I can’t say the same about myself.

“It’s a little more run-down.”

“At least the view is nice?”

I stare out the window. “Yeah.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing it.”

His comment perks me up a bit. “When do you think you’ll visit?”

He chuckles to himself. “I need to coordinate with the hospital and Aiden, but I’m hoping by the end of the month.”

My happiness fades. “Oh.”

“Disappointed it’s not sooner?”

Yes, but I’m not about to admit that aloud. “I’m going to be so busy these next few weeks, so it’s probably for the best.”

Right. You keep telling yourself that and maybe you’ll finally start believing it.

“Time will fly by. Just you wait and see.”

Time doesn’t fly by. Instead, I feel like I’m trapped inside an hourglass, counting each individual grain of sand as the days go by excruciatingly slowly.

I’ve missed home before. It’s hard not to after growing up in a town like Lake Wisteria, surrounded by people who have known me since before I was born. Sure, I’ve enjoyed traveling, but the more I think about it, the less I want to stay away from my hometown.

Up until now, I was happy about moving around and filling in for nurses around the United States. I’ve been able to explore new places, put myself out there, and meet a ton of new people, all of which were difficult tasks for me before becoming a travel nurse.

I’ve grown up in so many ways, but perhaps it’s time for another change. One that begins with returning to the place where my whole life began and to the man who lives there.

Doctor Darling.

I rub my eyes to double-check that I’m not seeing things.

“Luke?”

He doesn’t give me a chance to process the fact that he is here in California before his mouth crushes against mine. His kiss is a claiming one that leaves an invisible mark long after he pulls away, and one I can’t stop replaying as I let him inside my apartment.

“I know you don’t like surprises, but I hope you don’t mind this one.” He drags his luggage inside before I throw myself into his arms.

“Are you kidding?” I ask between kisses. “This is the best one ever.”

His smirk makes my stomach muscles clench. “So, you don’t mind?”

“I only mind that you’re doubting me.”

He drops a kiss on my mouth in a silent apology. “I wasn’t sure?—”

I shut him up with my mouth pressing against his. “Less talking. More reuniting.”

“No need to tell me twice.” His fingers comb through my hair before his hands cradle the back of my head, holding me in place while he shows me just how much he missed me.

We spend a couple of hours in bed together before we make our way back into the living room to eat pizza from a local spot I like before cuddling on the couch and putting on a movie.

I curl into Luke’s side with a sigh. “How long are you staying?”

He frowns. “I’m flying back tomorrow night.”

My elation fades away. “Oh.”

“But I can come back soon.”

“And I can visit at least once.”

The line between his brows smooths out. “Do you have any plans for where you’re going next?”

I try to stifle my smile and fail. “I have a few options.”

His rare scowl returns with a vengeance. “That’s…good.”

“Is it?”

His arms tighten around my waist. “Of course. You love your job.”

I trace my finger down his chest, earning a soft little inhale from him. “I do.”

“And it pays well.”

“Can’t complain about that.”

“Right.” A vein in his neck strains.

“But…”

His gaze locks onto mine. “But?”

“There is one big con.”

“I’m listening.”

“It’s only been a few weeks, and I’m already thinking about the next time I want to go back to Lake Wisteria.”

“That can be arranged.”

I straddle his lap and cup his cheeks. “Really?”

“I’ve been keeping an eye on any job listings at the hospital.”

My smile is instantaneous. “Have you?”

His hands on my hips secure me in place. “Nothing yet, but I’m hopeful. Apparently, one of the NICU nurses is going on maternity leave in three months.”

My heart threatens to burst at the idea of Luke stalking job opportunities for me. “Miss me that much?”

“A concerning amount to say the least.”

“Is there such a thing?”

“Yes, but only because I have no idea when I’ll get to see you again.”

I lean forward and capture his mouth. “I can say for certain I’ll be moving back to Lake Wisteria after I’m done with this job.”

He wrenches himself away. “What?”

“I decided before you showed up.”

“And you waited until now to tell me?”

I laugh. “You didn’t give me much of a chance.”

One moment, I’m straddling Luke’s lap, and the next, I’m being tossed over his shoulder as he takes me back to the bedroom.

“We’re back to this?”

He smacks my ass, and I hiss between my gritted teeth.

“What was that for?”

“Waiting until now to tell me that you’re coming home.”

Home has never sounded better than it does in this moment, and my heart throbs in a silent reply.

“I take it you’re happy?”

He throws me on the bed before joining me. “I spent the whole plane ride coming up with this elaborate plan to convince you to come back, and for what?”

I can’t help grinning. “Do tell me more.”

His eyes narrow. “You’re being a little too smug about all this.”

“Can you blame a girl for wanting to hear all about how much you miss her?”

“Depends on if she admits to missing me too.”

I circle my arms around the back of his neck and tug him closer. “I missed you as soon as I got here.”

“You never said anything.”

“And risk you thinking I was too clingy?”

“There’s no such thing.”

I roll my eyes. “Sure.”

He tucks his hand under my chin and forces me to look at him. “I like knowing you’re obsessed with me.”

I shove his shoulder with a laugh. “I’m not obsessed.”

“That’s not how I interpreted it.”

“It’s not my fault you lack the ability to analyze context clues.”

“Except all my clues lead to one theory.”

“What?”

“That you’re falling in love with me.”

My cheeks flame. “Shut up.”

“It’s okay if you are. It’ll be our little secret.”

“That’s great, but I’m not.”

His smile stretches further. “Then why is your face turning red?”

“Because you’re embarrassing me!”

“What’s to be embarrassed about? I’m an extremely lovable person.”

“Keep talking and I’ll question if that’s the case.”

He rolls us over so I’m straddled on top of him. “For the record, I think it’s cute when you get all shy.”

“While we’re taking notes, I’ll have you know that I hated every second of this conversation.”

“Should we table it for a later time?”

“Yes,” I say with a hiss.

He nods. “Fine. I’ll be crossing off dramatic love confession from the dream board.”

I lean forward until our faces are only a few inches apart. “Luke?”

“Yes?”

“Stop talking and kiss me already before I change my mind about moving back.”

His mischievous smile makes my stomach dip. “Your wish is my command.”