It wasn’t Damon.
Haley didn’t know whether to be relieved or disappointed.
No. She knew. She was disappointed.
“Good afternoon, everyone,” the instructor said with a bright smile. “I see we have some new faces today. I’m Liz.” She waved to them all and the regulars waved back. “Since we do have some new people with us, let’s take a quick review of what each of you already knows and what you want to learn. I was thinking that we might talk about meridians today, but let’s find out what you think...”
Haley had emailed her schedule to her mom, like she always did, so she wasn’t surprised when her phone rang on Wednesday night. It was the one evening they were both off that week.
“Hot date tonight?” her mom asked, just like always.
“No way. I’m thinking bubble bath.” Haley didn’t have to pretend to yawn. She’d slept so little the night before that she was exhausted. “How about you?”
“Same for me.” Her mother laughed and they talked about work in their respective hospitals for a few minutes. Head nurses were always on a power trip, it seemed, doctors were always self-absorbed and patients were alternatively annoying and delightful. Her mom asked her then about her research, and Haley told her about her new massage skills.
“You know,” her mom said and Haley sat straighter. She knew that tone and it was always followed by a suggestion. Usually one she didn’t welcome. “They’re creating a post here for someone to head up a new complementary therapies program. The idea is that the nurse would build a team of health care professionals with skills in various therapies, then liaise with all departments and offer the services of her team as needed. There’d be a lot of education involved, both of patients and their families, and of the other staff. It sounds like it would be perfect for you.”
“Except I live in New York. It would be quite a commute.”
Her mom sighed. “That’s easily changed, isn’t it?”
“I like it here, Mom.”
“Why? It’s not like you have a lot of personal connections, Haley. Your friends from your master’s program have all moved elsewhere.”
“So?”
“You work, a lot, and you could work a lot here but be closer to your family.” Her mom paused and Haley braced herself. “I miss you.”
Haley smiled. “You just think that if I come home I’ll find a nice guy and give you more grandchildren.”
“The idea did occur to me.” Her mom cleared her throat. “There are several very nice new doctors on staff. Single.”
“I like it here, Mom,” Haley repeated, not wanting to wade into that mess.
“I don’t believe it. You’re surviving there. I understood when you went back for the master’s, but you’ve earned that degree. Come home, Haley.”
“This is home.”
“A studio apartment furnished at Goodwill? No, Haley, that’s not home.”
“It’s home for me.” Even as she said the words, Haley looked around the apartment and saw it as a stranger might. It wasn’t a personal space.
She was always ready to go, but she hadn’t gone anywhere in a while.
Maybe it was time to change that.
Her mom ignored her comment. “It’s a great position, Haley. The salary is really good and it’s perfect for you. You’d be the ideal candidate, if you’d just apply.”
“I don’t want to move.”
Her mom paused. “Oh. Are you seeing someone?”
“No,” Haley said because it was true. Having sex with Damon, even if there was a possibility it could happen again, wasn’t what her mom was talking about. “But I have a cat now.” She didn’t know why she said that. It wasn’t true.
“A cat. That’s what counts as family now? A cat and a job? That’s a life?” Her mom made a disapproving sound. “Haley, you know there’s more to life than that. You’re not getting any younger, and I want to see you happy.”
“But I am happy, Mom. I’m just not doing what you think I should be doing. That’s different from being unhappy.”
“Haley!”
Haley knew she’d never convince her mom to understand her view, so she used a familiar argument. “You’re the one who taught me that the right man was worth waiting for.”
Her mom sighed. “Are you meeting anyone?”
“Yes. I went to a gym downtown for a massage class today. I might go back, maybe join.” That wasn’t true, either, but her mom took it as a sign of encouragement. They talked about Haley’s brothers, she had an update on how adorable her nieces and nephew were, and she was warned that there might be a wedding in the spring.
“If there’s a wedding, I’ll come home for it,” she said. “Someone has to fill Tiffany’s luggage with confetti.”
“And think about bringing a date,” her mom added.
Haley rolled her eyes. “It’s not like I can just order one online.”
“Maybe it would be easier if you could.” They joked together about online dating—her older brother Brad had tried a lot of services with bad results, then had met Katie at the grocery store—her mom demanded that she send pictures of the cat, then they ended the call. Haley smiled at the phone, then opened her browser.
She needed to find a cat, STAT.
“You’re evil,” Shannyn muttered as she did yet another batch of push-ups at Cassie’s instruction.
“Hold it longer,” Cassie said. “And keep your back straight.”
“Diabolical, maybe.”
Cassie smiled. “Don’t you want to look your best when you’re twenty stories high?”
“You’re completely merciless,” Shannyn said, sitting up and wiping the perspiration from her face. She was flushed, but her muscles were perfectly pumped. Since she and Tyler had agreed to pose for one of the billboards, she’d been working out a lot. She was stronger and more sleek. “Good enough?”
“You look great,” Cassie said and meant it. She spun her finger and Shannyn turned around to be assessed. “I think you’re ready for the shoot. Quick shower, then that black leotard, please.”
“That’s not really a leotard,” Shannyn said. “It’s a little skinny bit of fabric. A belt.”
“And you look awesome in it.”
“With no secrets left.” Shannyn rolled her eyes, then hurried to the women’s showers.
Cassie went to the room they were using for the photography and checked that everything was set up and ready. The make-up artist was there and the stylist, as well as the photographer Shannyn had couched to take her place. Ty was there already, of course, since he was always prompt.
The man could tempt a saint. He was pumped up from his work-out and naked above the waist. Cassie tried to keep from staring or drooling.
He ran a hand over his sleek chest and gave her an intent look. “I hope this is worth it,” he said, showing almost as much reluctance to participate in their advertising program as he had from the outset.
Cassie smiled. “You even waxed for us.”