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time he called, just catching up on news. This time the mention of Hunter’s name sent her mind zinging back to the kiss they had shared earlier that evening.
    Goosebumps rose on Alexandra’s arms. Just thinking about the hot press of his lips against hers sent a rush of heat through her body. His kiss had been like sparks on her tongue, making her feel weak and powerful all at once. When he’d asked her to spend the night, she’d wanted to say yes. He had barely touched her, and she had come unraveled in his arms.
    “Mom?”
    Simon’s prompting startled Alexandra out of her reverie, and she shifted on the couch. “Sorry honey, I got a little distracted. Everything is great, Hunter is doing well.”
    “That’s good. How is - oops.” A shuffling sound interrupted him. “Mom, got to go. Class time. Love you.”
    “Love you too!”
    The dial tone droned in her ear. Did he even wait to hear me say goodbye? With a shrug, she returned the phone to its receiver and took another sip of coffee.
    Later that night, Alexandra shuffled to her car. The caffeine had long ago burned away, despite a second cup. Her purse dangled from one hand, heels from the other. She wore a pair of flats she kept handy just for days like this, but even the relief of removing those damn heels didn’t help tonight.
    Her mental calendar ticked off another day before Dr. Muller’s return. While Alexandra was glad he was home with his new wife and baby, the constant ache in her feet insisted she take a day off soon.
    She turned sideways to edge between her car and a big yellow truck, then paused with her hand halfway to the door handle. The car’s blue paint was gouged with several thick white stripes. Great.
    Alexandra slid into the driver seat and rested her head against the steering wheel. Kids got into mischief sometimes in the hospital parking tower, but usually her little blue car was left alone. She had always thought it was because this car wasn’t as flashy as the others, but maybe her luck had run out today.
    She patted the dashboard. “I’ll get you fixed up, I promise.” Her attempt at reassurance left a dark hand print in the thin coat of dust on her dash. Alexandra winced. She brought the car in for maintenance like clockwork, but how long had it been since she cleaned it?
    She and Simon had cleaned the car together after they moved from Denver to Portland. It had almost been a ritual for them, cleaning out the last bits of John from their lives. Had that really been the last time? The hand print glared back accusingly until she wiped it away. “All right, I get it. I’ll take care of it,” she muttered, then started the car.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER FOUR
    Alexandra
    Two days later, Alexandra hurried down the narrow hallway of the apartment complex. Dr. Muller had just returned, and she was free. After weeks of double shifts, she intended to dive into a pair of fuzzy slippers and yoga pants until further notice.
    The apartment keys jingled as she fussed with them. Why were there so many keys on this ring? She didn’t look at the varnished wood door adjacent to hers. Hunter’s. Her cheeks burned as she remembered their dinner on the balcony. Two days ago. The day they kissed.
    “Hello there, Alex!”
    Alexandra yelped, the keys dropping to the floor as she spun. Behind her, Mrs. Dail stood with her hand to her chest, ghostly blue eyes wide behind coke-bottle lenses. Her frizzy, blue-tinged white hair gave her the appearance of a startled poodle in a flower dress. If the poor woman hadn’t looked so scared, Alexandra would have laughed.
    “Sorry,” she stammered, scooping up her keys. “I’m a little on edge right now, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
    Mrs. Dail recovered quickly, and raised a pudgy finger. “Now don’t you worry dear, it was I who startled you. I don’t know where my manners are, I know better than to go sneaking around hallways and really it’s not my idea of a good time, not when I could be