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.

“Yeah, I think I’m going to.” At least it would get me off my ass after work.Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.

“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.