A man in his eighties may have chosen the décor, but it works for me. I’m not in New York City to impress anyone. I’m here to earn a medical degree because I’m going to be Dr. Faith Upton one day. My dream is to work in emergency medicine because I believe that’s where I can make the greatest impact.
I reach for the fluffy pink robe that I always wrap around me when I get out of bed. I sigh when I cinch the belt, feeling both warm and content.
Early mornings are always my favorite time of day. I try to squeeze in an hour or two of studying before I go to campus. Today is different.
I have a coffee date with Gwynn in thirty minutes. I agreed to it after she texted me four times late last night saying that she had something earth-shattering to tell me this morning.
I pleaded with her via text to spill the beans so I could fit in some studying before class, but she insisted on a face-to-face, so I agreed to a cup of coffee at a place two blocks from here.
Skittering across the hardwood floors on bare feet, I rush toward the small bathroom and the shower that awaits me.
“The earth-shattering news is that you want to set me up?” I arch an eyebrow as I question my friend. “I didn’t need to rush down here for this, Gwynn.”
“You need a man,” she insists quietly. “Rich is a man. Just look at him, Faith. He checks every box. Nice hair, nice smile, and he’s going to be a doctor too.”
I don’t glance at the blond-haired guy she’s referring to because he happens to be her cousin. Right now, Rich is at the counter of this coffee shop putting in a loud and very rude demand for someone to fix his beverage.
That is enough to erase any positive he might have had going for him.
“School is my life,” I remind Gwynn. “I can’t date your cousin or any other man right now.”
The exception to that rule is if Dr. Hawthorne asked me out. I’d skip studying, eating, and sleeping for time with him. Since that will never happen in this lifetime, I plan to study my way to my degree, and then worry about my personal life. I may be the oldest virgin in this city by then, but if that’s the consequence of my commitment to my career, so be it.
“He’s only here for a week.” She lowers her voice. “Show him around the city, and he’ll show you a good time.”
“Eww.” I scrunch my nose. “I’m not sleeping with your cousin.”
“Why not?” Her eyes widen. “I’ve noticed how stressed you are lately. The best cure for that is sex.”
I wouldn’t know.
I haven’t confessed that to Gwynn because it’s personal.
Besides, I’ve had oral sex. I’ve given and received, so I have that going for me.
“Find someone else to show him around Manhattan.” I take a long sip from my coffee. “I’m not interested.”
She looks over to where her cousin is still complaining to the barista about the amount of creamer in his coffee. “You’re missing out on a great guy, Faith.”
Shrugging a shoulder, I glance at my watch. I’m missing out on study time and the chance to see Dr. Hawthorne leave his apartment today. The peephole in my apartment door gives me a clear view of my neighbor’s coming and goings.
Some people may think it’s creepy as fuck, but I consider it appreciating the stellar view from a distance. It’s innocent. He has no idea I’m crushing on him. Hell, he has no clue I even exist.
“You’re going to regret it,” Gwynn whispers as Rich approaches us with a cocky grin on his mouth.
I won’t.
By the end of the day, Rich Rochester will earn a small mention in my diary, and then he’ll be forgotten forever, just like every other man Gwynn has tried to set me up with.
Chapter Four
Matthew
“What’s her name?” My boss, Donovan Hunt, asks as he approaches me in the corridor that leads to the examination rooms at Premier Pet Care.
Without missing a beat, I toss him an open mouthed smile. “Moxie.”
That stops him mid-step. Donovan is a few years older than me. He established this vet clinic soon after he graduated from veterinary school. Since then, his patient roster has grown by leaps and bounds. He credits a good portion of that to his millions of Instagram followers.
I’ve never surveyed the list, but I’d guess that the majority of those followers are women. He’s not lacking in the looks department. Truthfully, I’m not either. Our fellow vet, Carolyn Gallo, keeps us grounded. She’s always nearby to remind us that we’re here to treat animals, not score time away from the clinic with their owners.
“Moxie?” he repeats the name of the feline waiting for me in exam room two.