Kennedy pulled back. “Woman, you need to brush your teeth.”
“Tomorrow.” She tried to roll back over but they forced her to sit up, climbing on top of the bed so they all surrounded her.
“Did something happen with David or the hospital?” Arilyn asked.
Gen realized they didn’t know. After her exit, she’d gone directly to the grocery store and bought everything that looked like it would kill her. Saturated fats and sugar galore. Trying to avoid a big pity party on top of her wedding fiasco, she’d texted everyone that she’d be working nonstop and would catch up later. Knowing Wolfe would be checking on her anyway, she’d told him she was staying at Kate’s and she’d contact him next week.
Then she’d gone to bed and stayed there.
“Honey, what happened? Wolfe was frantic. You lied and said you were with me,” Kate said.
“Didn’t want him to worry. He’s been babysitting me and it’s getting embarrassing. I’ll be fine.”
Kennedy lifted two empty bags of Funions. “If you ate these you’re not fine.”
Gen took a breath. “I quit the hospital. My residency is over. I had a huge showdown with David and he threatened to make my life hell, and I realized I can’t continue there.”
Kate stood up and smoothed back her hair. “Okay, I’m going to go kill him now. Remember, you’re my witnesses, so I was never there.”
Gen grabbed her hand. “I know you’re serious, so sit back down. I need you here, not in jail.”
Kennedy fumed. “He can’t get away with that. You need to report him.”
She lifted her hands. “Guys, he’s covered his tracks well. In fact, he planted seeds of depression and anxiety. Wrote up a report for HR. He runs the unit, and I’m just the silly runaway bride. I’m not going back, and I don’t want to get involved in a lawsuit or investigation I’ll lose. It’ll actually be worse for me.”
“I’m sorry, Gen. But I am going to kill him for you.”
She smiled at Kate. “I know you would. You’re such a good friend.”
“Let’s avoid talk of murder, please, and figure this out,” Arilyn piped up. “Can we hook you up with a tape recorder where you can get him to confess his evil plans on record?”
They stared at her. For such a sweet, gentle soul, Arilyn had a vicious streak that always fascinated Gen. “Good idea,” Ken jumped in. “Nate can help us set it up.”
Gen laughed. Only her friends could introduce humor into every situation. “Thanks for the suggestion, A, but I think I’ll pass. I just want to move on. Nothing else matters right now.”
“What are you going to do?” Kate asked. “Transfer to another hospital and residency program?”
She shook her head. “I’m taking a break. I need to figure out if this is what I really want, or if it’s just been a goal I’ve set for myself. I’d still need to commit to years more of training to do surgery. Maybe this is a sign I’m not meant for it.” They jumped in together to protest, but she held up one hand. “No, I’m not saying I’m not good enough. I just don’t think I ever gave myself any other options. I need time.” A small smile touched her lips. “I have nothing left. Maybe it’s a good thing, since I can start fresh. Find out who I really am again. Make sense?”
Arilyn nodded. “Perfect sense.”
“Is David pressuring you? Are you afraid of him? I still think we should call the cops,” Kennedy said.
“No. Now that I left the hospital, he has no more need to torture me. He can keep my stuff, I couldn’t care less. I just want to be free and start over.”
“Okay, but you’re not going to spend endless days in bed eating bad food in an attempt to figure things out,” Kate announced. “You’re getting a job.”
“Where?”
“At Kinnections, of course.”
Kennedy and Arilyn high-fived. “Yes, that’s perfect,” Kennedy squealed. “We’re growing so fast we’re getting behind and need to hire another assistant. You start tomorrow.”
“What? I can’t work for Kinnections! I know nothing about matchmaking.”
“You don’t need to,” Kate said briskly. “We’ll teach you what you need, but you already have half the battle won. You’ve always had an amazing instinct about people. You just need to rediscover that part again.”
The idea was so ridiculous she almost believed it could work. She’d learn about her friends’ business, keep busy, and help out. She’d get paid. And what better environment than around the people she loved best?
“I’m not letting you say no, so just get over it,” Kate said.
Gen grinned. “You’re always so bossy.”
“Yeah, Slade loves it.”
Ken rolled her eyes. “Oh please, he’s so the dom in your relationship. You get all gooey when he commands you to do all sorts of nasty things.”
Kate sniffed. “What’s Nate studying now, Ken? Anal play?”
Gen laughed at the red flush on Kennedy’s cheeks. Priceless. Her geeky rocket scientist had a passion for studying academics and new subjects that included the best ways to have sex. His inventiveness had kept their sex life quite active. Many times Kate said she’d found Ken asleep at her desk in a desperate effort for some actual sleep.
A pang of longing hit. That should’ve been her and David. She wondered if there’d ever be someone who’d understand and love her for who she was, warts and issues included. As much as she didn’t want to admit it, her confidence was badly shaken. Would a man ever want her with such a raw passion and longing? Was it even possible for her?