reading. It became a thing they did, even when they returned home. He would call her and read to her over the phone, and sometimes one of them would knock out in the process. More often than not, it was her.
Maybe that’s what she needed to fall asleep tonight.
Again, she tapped on her phone. It was happening—something she had envisioned for years. She was calling Jordan Aria.
“Hi,” he said, his voice so low she could hardly hear him.
“Why are you whispering?” she asked.
“I don’t want to wake anyone up.”
“Do you have a roommate?” She realized they still had a lot of rapid-fire questions to go.
“No,” he said.
“Well, who are you going to wake up then?”
He chuckled, a deep hearty laugh. “I don’t know. Luna? Miss Annie?”
“That’s thoughtful, though ridiculous. I’m not even whispering, and I live with them.”
Jordan’s volume returned to normal. “I’m glad you called.”
“I take Harry Potter very seriously, Jordan.”
He laughed again. “Yes, I remember.”
“Are you really going to read to me?” she asked.
“I have the Sorcerer’s Stone right here.”
“Paperback or ebook?”
“Hardcover.”
She smiled, her heart softening like chocolate on a warm day. She was falling in love all over again.
Chapter 7
JORDAN
Just before 6:00 a.m., Jordan was out the door and on his way to work. It was going to be a long day. He was completely booked with a few time slots where he had to be extra careful or he’d get seriously behind. He hated keeping patients waiting. He didn’t deny he had a big ego, but it wasn’t so big that he would leave people hanging for hours. His mother was that type of doctor, and it annoyed him. He didn’t want to be like her. He wanted to be better. Not just a better physician, but a better human being.
He had no idea where those thoughts came from. Every now and then, his mommy issues surfaced no matter how hard he tried to keep them bottled up inside. She had been gone for three years, and he still hadn’t forgiven her. Sometimes he thought forgiveness was the wrong word. Why did he need to forgive her? Most people would have killed for his childhood—big houses, fancy vacations, living on his own at boarding school, and getting whatever he wanted for Christmas. Yet, none of that made him happy. All he wanted was a normal life with a normal family. Instead his parents treated him like a project. With every one of his accomplishments, they were able to check off a goal on their planning sheet.
Well, he had goals of his own, ones that didn’t include marrying one of the debutantes from the country club. Hell, his mother would have liked him to marry Millie. Little did she know, Mills was so far from the sweet, innocent, prim and proper girl she portrayed at family and business dinners over the years. Which reminded him, he’d forgotten to call her back last night.
As he pulled into the hospital parking lot, Jordan’s phone rang. It was like she knew he was thinking about her.
“What the heck, Jay?” she yelled into the phone. “I know I’m not Melody, but you could at least call me back. I’ve actually been around for the last two eons.”
She was starting to get on his nerves. She was right, though. She had been there for him. She was there when Melody ripped out his heart and trampled all over it with her big black combat boots. And Millie never let him forget it. He knew she was just looking out for him, but he didn’t need her doom and gloom attitude.
“Hey, aren’t you the one who wanted me to date?” he asked.
“Oh, is that what you’re doing?” He could feel the sarcasm seeping through the line.
“No, we’re not. We’re just talking.” He got out of his car and headed to his office. “So, what’s up, Mills?”
“Nothing,” she said. “I stopped by for a bowl of cereal, but you weren’t there. I kind of wondered if you ever went home last night.”
He laughed. “Amelia, I slept in my own bed. Alone. No booty calls for me,” he said. “Can you say the same?”
“I didn’t call to talk about me, Jordan Aria.” He could hear the laughter in her voice. “I’m just checking on you to make sure your heart is still intact.”
“It’s still beating,” he replied.
“When do you see her again?” She wasn’t going to stop prying until she had all the details. That’s how Millie was. He couldn’t buy a new brand of