The Forbidden Spark

5.

Cara’s POV

“Girl, really? He just offered you the job because he wanted to ask you for a favor?” Megan asked me for the umpteenth and I nodded as she sat on my bed.

Today was supposed to be our last day here and then we move to the apartment we rented together, but plans had changed.

Megan was going to stay here while I moved to Jason’s. According to her, it would be easier to see someone rent with her here than there.

“I’m sure that man want more than you looking after her daughter. I mean, come to think of it, you might not even have time as much as he does because of your residency, but he still asked you.” She said.

I shrugged.

“Maybe that’s because he heard I applied to his father’s hospital. We only have to work for ten hours a day, so that we can be rotated.” That gave me a lot of time on my hands. A lot of medical students apply to the hospital because of the amount offered as salaries for residents, so they had enough staff to rotate and that even gave the resident a chance to do another job if they wanted.

“I’m glad for you though. You should be able to pay off your student loan in no time.” She said.

That was true, and the corners of my lips tugged into a victorious grin at that. I didn’t even think about that until she mentioned it.

We should go out to the club to celebrate this. “I’m glad you got the position at the hospital, and you got to live in a free house through it all.” She said.

Smiling, I pressed down my fingers. “Yeah, we should. But, I can’t today. I need to get my stuff to Jason today. I told him I won’t be needing his help to move, so…” I said, trailing off.

Megan nodded. “That’s all right, but you better don’t turn me down the next time.” She grumbled, pushing her lower lip outward to mock being offended, and I rolled my eyes before nodding.

“I hear you, Megan. Now, get your ass off my bed while I go check of the movers are downstairs.” I said.

Chuckling, she grabbed my shoulders and pulled me into a hug before, she sniffed. I knew she wasn’t crying and she was just being dramatic for no reason, but I pretended to sympathize with her.

“Oh, don’t worry, Meg. I’ll be sure to always check in on you and make sure you haven’t fainted and you’re eating well.” I said, grinning.

For a moment, there was a stretch of silence then she pulled back to give me a look, before we both bursted out laughing.

I stood up and stretched. “All right, let me check if the movers are here,” I said again, but this time, walking towards the door.

Megan flopped dramatically back onto the bed, arms sprawled out. “Fine, but hurry up! I’m not helping you pack last-minute.” She said like she was even going to help at all.

I smirked at her and headed out, making my way down the stairs to the lobby. Sure enough, the movers were already waiting by the door, dressed in their company uniforms, leaning against their truck as they chatted.

"Hi! I’m Cara," I called out as I approached them. "You guys ready to start?"

A tall guy with a clipboard nodded his head at me. "Yeah, we're good to go. Just tell us what you need packed up and we’ll take care of it." He said with a smile, an overly sweet one and I almost rolled my eyes. I wasn’t interested at all, but I didn’t say anything about that.

"Perfect. My room’s just upstairs. Please, follow me," I said, turning back toward the entrance.

I led them through the building and up to the apartment, where Megan was still lounging on my bed. She sat up and waved at the movers with a grin.

"Hello, gentlemen.” She offered her hand for an handshake. “Please be gentle with her stuff… Cara’s very attached to her things," she teased, shooting me a mischievous look.

Nobody asked you. I wanted to say, but I didn’t. I just shook my head and rolled my eyes. “Ignore her. Just the boxes in the corner and my suitcases. Everything else is staying here.” I said.

The movers nodded and got to work, swiftly picking up the boxes I had spent the last few days packing. As they moved through the room, I grabbed my phone from the dresser and scrolled through my contacts, looking for my brother’s number.

Hunter had left town since after my graduation but I wanted to call him and still give him a piece of my heart for calling Jason on me. I knew he did even if Jason had the intention before. I also needed to ask him why he didn’t tell me Jason had a daughter.

That ass. He was probably thinking it was better not to tell me to protect me, even though I kept telling him I love to take my own decisions. If there was one thing I hated more than having to be babied like I was some child, it was someone else taking a decision for me. He could be overprotective sometimes, and even though I knew it came from a good place, it could be very annoying.

I tapped his name and held the phone to my ear as it rang. After a few rings, he picked up.

"Hey, little sis. Are you all set?" Hunter’s voice came through, calm and familiar.

"Yeah, the movers are here now. They’re getting everything loaded up," I replied, watching as one of the guys maneuvered a large suitcase out the door.

"Good. I told you I could sort it out.”

“And I told you never to lie to me or make decisions for me.” I said.

There was a silence at the other end for a while, then. “What are you talking about?” He asked.

“Daisy. That’s what. Why didn’t you tell me Jason had a daughter?” I asked him.

“How did you know?” His voice was reluctant.

“Jason told me. He showed up here to offer me a job to spend time with his daughter. I guess he wanted a female touch with her.” I said.

Another stretch of silence. “Oh, he did. It wasn’t my place to tell you.” He said. That was just an excuse, a silly one at that. I knew he told him about me moving and probably that was why Jason thought to quickly show up and offer me the job.

I couldn’t blame him for wanting it to be a familiar person that spend time with his daughter. “I hear you, but it would have been great to have an head-ups about that.” I just would have probably not hated his guts thinking he just forgot about me.

"I know, but I couldn’t tell you what wasn’t my story to tell." He said.

“Oh please, don’t feed me that crap. What? Was I going to tell him you told me?” I asked, pushing my brows up. “I know he’s your best friend, but I’m your sister too.” said, walking over to the window to glance down at the truck.

Jason chuckled on the other end. "You’re stubborn, you know that? But all right, I’m sorry. If anything came up, I’ll surely tell you even if I shouldn’t. He said, and I rolled my eyes because I knew he was being sarcastic. “And as for moving… as long as you’re good, I won’t interfere. Just make sure they don’t scratch up anything valuable." He said.

Like I had anything valuable. Well, my books were valuable, but they were all well packed.

"Yeah, yeah. It’ll be fine," I assured him. "I’ should be done and over at Jason’s in a couple of hours. He’s offering me a place to stay in his apartment." I said.

"Okay. That’s good.” He said, and I could tell he knew about this because he didn’t even sound surprise. “ I’ll be here. Call me if you need anything," he said before hanging up.

Sighing, I slipped the phone into my back pocket just as the last of my boxes were hauled out of the room.

Megan stood up, brushing invisible dust off her jeans. “Okay, looks like you’re all set. I can’t believe this is really happening,” she said, her voice a little quieter than before.

I knew she hated that we wouldn’t be living together during our residency and even though she was trying all her best not to show that, she couldn’t help but give an hint. I was going to miss her too, but I couldn’t pass up this opportunity, or maybe it was a chance.

Jason was so unreachable for me before now, but maybe living together, or seeing me with his daughter would help him see me more differently, give us a real chance to be together.

I smiled at her. “I know. It feels surreal. But it’s not like I’m disappearing. You’ll be sick of me in no time, trust me.” I said.

She grinned. "I better be." Then she reached out, pulling me into another hug. “I’m really proud of you, Cara. You’ve got this.” She said.

I hugged her back, feeling the warmth of her words settle into my body. "I’m proud of you too, honey. Thank you so much, Meg. For everything." I said.

When we finally let go, I gave the room one last glance. It was strange seeing it so empty after living here for years. But a new chapter was starting, and I was ready for it.

“Time to go,” I said, grabbing my bag and following the movers downstairs.