The morning goes by quickly, with just a couple of minor workplace incidents and some teenagers being stupid with concrete. Yes, concrete. The stupidity of men will never cease to amaze me.
My stomach grumbles as I’m finishing up the paperwork. It’s ten past one.
Edward leans in. “Ready for that coffee?”
I gulp. “Yes.” I finish up on the computer, and we walk toward the exit. “Mary, are you okay here if we go grab a coffee for fifteen minutes?”
She looks between us and gives me a sly smirk. “Of course.”
“Would you like me to grab you a coffee while I’m out?” I ask her.
“I’m all good, thanks.”
As we walk down the corridor, Edward asks, “Is there anywhere in particular that sells the best coffee?”
I chuckle. “Sorry, you’re out of luck. They’re all average, but they do the job.”
We wait in line at the closest indoor café. “So where are you from?” I ask.
“Reno.”
When we reach the head of the line, the woman at the counter asks me, “What can I get for you?”
“I’ll have a latte, with full-cream milk, thanks.”
The lady gives me a small smile, and I pay.
“What’s your name for the latte, so we can call it out when it’s ready?”
“Milly,” I answer, and then I go wait off to the side.
Once Edward orders, he waits next to me.
“There’s a big hospital there. Why’d you move here?” We are still a decent-sized hospital, but we don’t compare to the cities.
“I needed a change of scenery.” He stares at me a little too long. “It was too suffocating there with my ex-wife.”
“Didn’t it end well?” I’m being nosy, but I’m curious.
He flinches. “No. It did not.”
“Do you have kids?” I ask.
“My ex-wife and I never wanted them. Our careers came first.”
I bob my head. “I understand that.”
He focuses on me and leans forward. “Do you have kids?”
“No, and to be honest”—I glance away—“I don’t know if I’ll ever want them.”
“When you have a career like ours, it’s difficult to juggle everything,” he adds, and I agree.
“Latte for Milly.”
I step forward and grab my coffee. “Have a good day,” the woman says.
I smile back. “You too.”
