Page 273 of Burn Bright

I frowned. “Tom, did you hear me?—”

“Yeah, I heard you. And you’re still emo.” He nodded to me, accepting what I said. “I’m sure I’ll see you around.”

“Chances are high. I am dating your younger brother.”

“Chances are higher since you are my sleep paralysis demon.”

I rolled my eyes.

He made a grimaced face and added, “Just don’t come groveling back to me, Harry. This was a one-time offer.”

“That I’mfirmlyrejecting, Thomas.”

“Perfect.”

“Great.”

We flipped each other off.

In my new room, Ben searches for the roach beneath the bed and rotates his gaze to me. “You need a pen?”

“I think I can find one.” I dig in my backpack, unearthing my pencil pouch. “Got it.” His wide, overpowering smile is inching mine higher. His pride for me is like looking directly into the sun. I never want to turn away.

I only do to sign the HIPAA form, which will allow me to shadow Dr. Farrow Redford KeeneHale—I’m getting his last name right from now on, for sure.

He said he’d be happy for me to shadow him during any calls, especially the ones in New York since I’m already here and it’ll be easy to jump on them. First, he had to check with theentirefamily to ensure his clients were okay with “Ben’s girlfriend” tagging along.

I’m not sure which ones declined yet, but I know all the Cobalts agreed. So if any of them are injured and need help, I’ll be there. And I can ask Farrow questions. I’m allowed to pick his brain. He’s going to teach me more.It’s so exciting that even scanning the form to send back, I’m fuckingtrembling.

I think I chose right.

Still probably too early to tell, but I’m going to do my best to not obsess over the path not taken. I want to enjoy the path I’m on so fully, and the only way is to look at the ground beneath my feet. And look ahead.

I glance over at Ben. Just as he’s caught the roach. He has the mug planted upside-down on the floor. Acting like it’s easy fucking peasy. Just another Friday for him.

Why is his bug catching abilities so…hot?

He up-nods at the printer. “Can you hand me a piece of paper?”

I pull a sheet out of the paper tray and slide it to him. “Do you need help?”

“I’ve got it.” He slips the paper under the mug, then carefully brings it to the desk. “You know a lot about the diseases this thing carries. I thought maybe it’s because of your interest in medicine, but I’m not so sure cockroach borne bacteria is on an MCAT.” His eyes flit to mine, and I catch the heavy concern in them. “Is there something more there or am I reading too much into it?”

Jagged memories come into view. I take a soft breath before admitting, “After my mom kicked me out, I was terrified of getting sick and having to go to the doctor. I couldn’t picture what would happen if they found out I was living on my own. Either I’d be shipped off to my Aunt Helena’s or…foster care. I don’t know. But it was a great big fear. So yeah, I did a lot of random research just to avoid possible contagions.”

He nods slowly, his concern tripling on me. “You know if you need to talk to someone about what you went through, someone who’s more qualified than me, you can always use that money in your trust. It’s a good use for it.”

I’m grateful for it. I am. But I don’t know. “It’s easy talking to you,” I tell him. “I can’t imagine talking to a stranger. It honestly scares me.”

“It’s okay if you’re not ready for it. No pressure, Fisher.”

That eases my shoulders. He always knows how to handle me. Like I’m a Harriet Fisher package made for his hold alone.

A gust of cold winter air invades the room as he cracks the window. In seconds, he releases the bug into the wild. Even guaranteeing it has a grip on the building and doesn’t plummet to its death. I bet it’ll find its way back to the warmth. Any smart creature would.

He waits to ensure success before he shuts the window.

A life saved.