Page 2

Julian

“We’ll take good care of her. See you tomorrow.” I hung up the phone with the last family on my list and blew out a long breath. It had to be hard for parents who couldn’t visit as much as they wanted, usually because of other children at home. They relied on our timely reports to let them know how their baby was doing and for answers to the question they all had: when can the baby come home?

Some days were rough, but today, all our tiny patients had good reports. No negative changes in their statuses. No respiratory distresses. No surgeries. We got a new baby, Gracie, today but other than being tiny, she was a spunky one and would only need some time to grow and flourish before being sent home. Her daddy was recovering from the birth, but he and her alpha papa were eager to hold her already.

“Is that it for you?” Peaches asked me. We called her that because she always wore peach-colored scrubs and also because it was her given name. Maybe she wore those scrubs because of her name? Probably so. Ugh, my brain was fried on the last few minutes of a double shift after one of the other NICU nurses called in sick. Some people went on into work with some degree of illness, but, in the NICU, a common, mild respiratory illness could end a baby’s life.

“It is. I’ve checked off all the lists, but do you need help with any of yours?” I really wanted to help, especially if it benefitted the babies, but I also desperately wanted to go home. But that

meant being alone and, over the last year or so, my beloved privacy was beginning to sway toward lonely.

My wolf, in particular, wasn’t pleased about the endless nights I slept alone. He longed for his mate as did I, but his was more of a desperation.

Maybe mine had evolved to that as well.

Peaches whirled on me and planted her hands on her ample hips. “Do you think I’m unable to complete my tasks alone?” One of her eyebrows was cocked and her lips pursed. “Is there a competency issue I should be aware of?”

“No.” I snorted and shook my head. Peaches was one of the most capable nurses I knew. Every nurse and healer at the hospital where I worked was dedicated and smart as a whip. Not only that, but they sincerely cared about the patients and wanted health for them, not just sickness care.

Peaches had also been a NICU nurse for ten years longer than me. She taught me things almost every day that made me a better caregiver. I just wanted to make her day easier if I could.

“Go home, Julian. Run yourself a bath. Eat something delicious. Go on a date.”

That last one stung. She didn’t mean for it to. Peaches was one of the few humans on staff here. She also knew we had mates. She read a lot of shifter romance novels, even on her lunch break. “I wish I could. I work and then go home, rinse and repeat.”

“Maybe you should do something about that.” She put her hand over mine. “You deserve someone amazing.”

“Don’t get sappy,” I said as one of the incubator alarms went off.

Rushing to take care of the issue, she called over her shoulder, “Get on one of those apps and find yourself a mate.”

I packed up my things and stopped by the break room to get my lunch bag and jacket out of my locker but, once I arrived at my car, I hesitated. Going home meant facing my wishes for more. Sure, I loved my life, but I wanted a mate. Not just any one either; I wanted my fated. It made my stomach turn to think of the what-ifs, but they flowed through my mind anyway.

What if my mate has passed on already?

What if they live on the other side of the world?

What if they already have a chosen mate?

What if I’ve encountered them already and we missed the chance Fate gave us?

I got into my car and started up some loud music hoping the blaring tunes would push away the negative thoughts.

My dads were an age-gap couple, so I knew that Fate took a while sometimes.

I called for Thai food delivery and by the time I got to my apartment, the delivery guy was coming down the stairs, my dinner in a white paper bag by the door.

I kicked my shoes from my aching feet as soon as I stepped inside. I could afford a bigger or fancier place, but having a nest egg, ample savings I could count on, gave me peace of mind. Plus, a smaller place was easier to clean.

I went through my nightly routine, even though it was early morning. Shower. Put clothes into the hamper. Set up my dinner and eat in front of the TV. I considered a mating app but decided in the end that I wanted to meet my mate the old-fashioned way. Have him bump into me on the street. Laugh over a coffee order mix-up. See him with a family member in the labor and delivery unit. At this point, I would take any quirky scenario Fate chose to throw at me as long as I found my mate soon.