Read Online Cut by Emily Duvall - Free Book Online Page B

her eye. She couldn’t do it. Not yet.
    Thirty minutes later Carl and her mother reappeared.
    â€œWe’re done,” Carl said upon getting back to her.
    She frowned. “How long do we have?”
    â€œNot long. I need to get back to the airport.”
    Jessie took his hands. “Don’t go.”
    â€œI have patients depending on me.”
    â€œWhat about me? I’m depending on you.”
    â€œThat’s not fair.”
    He nudged his head in the direction of the exit. “Let’s go for a walk. I read there’s a garden here. I think we should find it. Some fresh air will do you some good.”
    They found their way to the seventh level. A garden did in fact exist. A pretty one with a cement walkway bordered by flowers. A series of benches faced the city. Potted plants bloomed with pink or red flowers, the only color hanging on through the last of the autumn. A restorative vibe flowed through the air up here.
    Carl led her over to the guardrail. She peered out at the city. The landmarks looked smaller from this elevation than on the ground. The Golden Gate Bridge, the blue waters of the bay, and Coit Tower were all within sight.
    â€œDo you remember I mentioned the possibility of getting a fellowship in Singapore?” Carl said, carefully.
    â€œVaguely,” Jessie answered. “They gave the position to someone else.”
    â€œInitially they did. The original candidate opted not to take the position and the director reached out to me to ask if I still wanted the job.”
    Jessie looked at him. Too many questions about this came to mind and she settled on asking, “Did you tell him you’re getting married in a few weeks?”
    He coughed nervously. “Not exactly. I’m at the start of my career, this offer won’t come again. The possibilities are huge.” He expanded his arms to mimic the point. “The potential for the places this position will take me—take us—is worth exploring. I’d be working at one of the largest hospitals in all of Asia.”
    â€œWhat about us?”
    â€œYou’d come with me, of course. It would change our lives. They have an excellent medical program there. You can get back on track.”
    â€œI don’t want to be a doctor.”
    â€œYou say that. You always say that. But what are you doing with your life? You wait tables at an Italian restaurant.”
    The judgmental tone wasn’t lost on Jessie. “Does my being a waitress embarrass you?”
    â€œI don’t care if you’re a waitress. It’s more than that. You aren’t focused. You’re lost. You don’t know what you want for your life. You’re thirty-four and I’m holding myself back from shaking you and telling you to grow up.”
    â€œ You think I need to grow up? ” Jessie’s head spun. “I want to be married and start a family.”
    â€œYou’re bored. You want something to do. You think you’ll be happy at home while I’m gone all day? You won’t be. I want you to have a career and a life outside of me. My job demands all of my time and will continue to add extra hours. I see you twice a week in the evenings and we won’t have another weekend together for three weeks. You need something to do other than wait around for me.”
    â€œI don’t wait around for you.”
    â€œYou’re not hearing me.”
    She faced him with her whole body. “Break it down for me then, so I understand in stupid people terms.”
    â€œI’ve already accepted the position.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œThis isn’t how I planned to tell you. I was going to tell you after you got back from the bachelorette party. I didn’t expect Melanie would change all that. There’s a lot going on for me and for you. Given everything,” he said, pausing to swirl his hand, “I think it’s in our best interest to postpone the wedding. We’ve