“All is forgiven.” He smiled, showing off his perfectly aligned teeth. “Although, I still believe you need to get some rest. Doctor’s orders.”
Tessa narrowed her eyes at the man and said through gritted teeth, “I said I am fine…I don't need you babying me.”
Dr. Myers blinked rapidly as his brows drew together. When he looked at her, his eyes had become expressionless in a way she’d never seen, and his lips flattened. “You know I was only trying to help, but seeing as it is not welcomed, I will take my leave. I won’t bother you again, Nurse Luis.” With a bow of his head, he walked away from her.
Tessa opened her mouth to apologize, but no words came. “What was that?” She slapped her forehead and bent her head in trepidation.
“What was that, indeed?”
She looked over her shoulder at her friend, staring back at her with wide-eyed confusion.
“You literally just roasted the boss for being nice to you. What have you been drinking?”
“I don’t know why I did that,” she replied with remorse.
Janet rose to her feet and walked over to her, then patted her on her shoulders. “Get some rest,” she instructed before walking away from the desk.
Tessa shook her head. She couldn’t understand why she had snapped at Dr. Myers like that when Janet had repeated the exact words to her.
* * *
“Ah, sweetheart. You made it.”
“Hi, Dad,” Tessa replied, walking into her father’s embrace as he pecked her forehead.
“Your sister’s here. She’s in the kitchen with your mom,” he told her as he let her go.
“Just Kerry? What about Brian and Charles?”
“The boys will be here in a little bit.” Luke turned and headed in the direction of the kitchen. Tessa quickly closed the door and followed him.
“So want to tell me what this family meeting is about?” she asked, falling into step with him.
“Patience, Tessa. You’ll know when everyone’s here. Your mother and I want to tell you all together,” Luke expressed.
“Now I really need to know.” Her brows scrunched together as her mind ran wild with awful scenarios as to why her parents had asked to see them all.
“Relax, sweetheart,” her father encouraged.
The aroma circulating the air was mouth-watering and reminded Tessa of how hungry she was.
“Mmm, it smells great in here,” she said as she entered the kitchen.
“Hey, Sis.” Kerry smiled.
“Hey, yourself.” She smiled at her sister. She walked over to her mother by the stove and kissed her cheek. “Hi, Mom.”
Maria reached up with her free hand and cupped her daughter’s cheek. “Hi, sweetheart. How was your day?”
“Busy.” She sighed heavily while keeping her cheek glued to her mother’s. “I had a double shift. Thirty-two hours.”
“Oh, you poor thing.” Maria sighed. “You need to get some rest. You could go lie down until we finish here,” she encouraged.
“It’s fine. I’m fine,” she assured Maria. “Plus, I can’t pass on a chance to cook with you guys.” She removed an apron from the cabinet and secured it around her neck and waist.
“Could you pass a wooden spoon?” Kerry pointed at the item in the cupboard drawer opposite where she stood.
Tessa pulled out the spoon and passed it to her sister. “What are you making?” she asked, looking into the bowl.
