How Much I Love

It wouldn’t be fair to drag her into my life when my future is so uncertain. But I can’t resist her.

Wyatt

My name is Wyatt Blake. I'm a cardiothoracic surgeon in Phoenix. When I was 17, I had a heart transplant that saved my life. That's not something I tell just anyone, because I hate being defined by the illness that ruled the first half of my life. The average life expectancy for a transplant patient is 11 years. I'm 34, and in case math isn't your thing, that puts me about six years past my expiration date when I spend a weekend at my buddy Jason's wedding in Miami and meet the sexiest bridesmaid in the history of sexy bridesmaids.

Dee Giordino. She's sweet, kind, loving and drop-dead gorgeous. I love every minute I spend with her.

We had so much fun together at the wedding, and when I invited her back to my room after, we had the best night I've ever had with anyone. And now I can't stop thinking about her or texting her or wishing our one-night stand could somehow be more, even though "more" isn't in my vocabulary.

When Jason tells me there's an opening in my specialty at his hospital, I come running back to Miami to interview for the job. And to see Dee again, even though I know that's completely unfair to her. In light of my situation, I've become the king of the one-night stand. It wouldn't be fair to drag someone else into my reality when my future is so uncertain.

But Dee, she's different from the beginning, and maybe, just maybe, I might have to break all my rules for her… Fair or not.