Ryleigh stirred beneath the soft sheets, blinking slowly as the early morning light slipped through her window. A sliver of sun stretched across her blanket, warming her skin. She stretched, letting out a sigh before blindly reaching for her phone on the nightstand.
1 New Message
Derek: Heading out this morning. A hospital across the country requested emergency assistance. I’ll be gone a while. Text me anytime. I’ll miss you.
Her stomach sank, the sleepiness washing away in an instant. She stared at the message a moment longer than she needed to, fingers hovering over the screen.
Ryleigh: Be safe. Text me anytime too.
The reply came back almost immediately.
Derek: Always.
A small smile pulled at the corners of her mouth, even though her heart felt heavier. She missed him already.
R
