More of Us ( A Love You More Rock Star Romance #3) - Laura Pavlov Page 0,47
“It’s hard for me to let you go sometimes. It nearly killed me when you decided to spend the summer in Honduras. But I’m proud as hell of you for doing it.”
“I know. I love you, Dad.”
“Love you too, Jady bug. Okay, enough of the mushy stuff. Tell me more about this interview.”
We spent the next few hours talking and laughing, and I told him all about the lab at NYU and the anatomy class that I sat in on. Spending time with my dad was exactly what I needed.
The next morning, I was up early for class. The last few hours of my day were spent in Elaine’s office doing research. I’d been her research assistant for more than a year now, and we’d grown so close. She was a brilliant emergency room doctor, and I looked up to her immensely.
“Well, kiddo. How does it feel? Your work is going to be published in one of the most prestigious medical journals by the end of this year,” Elaine said.
“It feels really good.” I stacked up the papers I had spread out on her desk and started loading things into my backpack.
“Good. It should. And you feel good about the interview at NYU?”
“Yeah. I mean, everyone there was brilliant, so that’s a little intimidating. But I think it went well,” I said, pulling my backpack onto my shoulder.
“Trust me. They like humble candidates. Not the self-proclaimed superstars.” She laughed. “What about Northwestern? You’re interviewing there next week?”
“Yes. I’m looking forward to it.”
“Good. Those are two really great options. Alright, you get out of here and get some rest. You work too hard,” she said with a chuckle.
“Glass houses,” I teased.
“Touche. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I made my way outside and was surprised at the drop in temperature. The wind was blowing, and the sky was gray and dreary. Something caused me to turn around and I don’t know what it was, but what I saw had me moving faster. I glanced back over my shoulder, as I thought I might be imagining things. A tall kid wearing a hoodie was watching me. I couldn’t make him out from this distance, but I could swear it was Dex. My walk turned into a jog and I looked back once more before I turned the corner. He wasn’t there anymore. Maybe I’d imagined the whole thing? Maybe it was just some kid in a hoodie who happened to be tall and thin. It didn’t mean it was Dex. Last I heard, he was living in Los Angeles with his mother.
My phone rang and I nearly jumped out of my skin. It was Cruz. FaceTiming me.
“Hey,” I said, glancing back once more to make sure no one was following me.
“Hey yourself, More Jade. What’s up?”
“Not much. Just leaving research.”
“It’s getting dark. I don’t like you walking alone,” he said.
“Dad? Is that you?”
“Such a smart ass. I’m sure Jack wouldn’t approve of you walking alone at night either,” he said, and I studied his handsome features. He was sitting on his bed in his hotel room, his hair was sweaty and disheveled, he didn’t have a shirt on, and his honey-brown gaze locked with mine.
“It’s five o’clock in the evening, you fool. Are you telling me you wouldn’t walk alone at this time of day?”
“I’ve got mad skills, More Jade. No one is going to mess with me.”
“I can see that ol’ shirtless one. You showing off your big muscles?” I teased.
“I don’t know. Are you looking?”
I rolled my eyes. “So, what are you up to tonight?”
“Just finished my workout and thought I’d give you a call. You know, being the reliable best friend that I am. How’s the dating world?”
I laughed. I couldn’t help it. The dating world was non-existent, but he didn’t know that.
“All good.”
“Yeah? You got another hot date with Dick?”
“You’re an awfully nosy bestie. You tell me first. Any hot chicks on your horizon?” I asked.