I nodded. “Thank you.”
After Haley’s impromptu visit yesterday, I started to come out of my funk, even if only a little. And something about her visit made me realize I needed to make a better effort, not just on myself, but ineveryaspect. And that included my brother and my friends. I needed to stop shutting everyone out.
As I scanned the menu, the others continued talking, and Gabe looked at me. “You good?”
I met my brother’s gaze. “Trying.”
He held my stare for a moment before clapping my back with a nod—the answer seemed good enough for him. Because it wasn’t some bullshit about being “fine” or me dismissing and brushing off his question.
For once, it was the truth.
I wastrying.
Chapter 18
“You’re looking awfullysexy in that white coat.”
I chuckled, turning to face Marie in the locker room on Monday morning. “Yeah?” I looked down at my name and post-nominal letters embroidered above the pocket as I smoothed my hands down the front with a sheepish smile. “Honestly? It feels a little weird.”
“Don’t let it feel weird,” she scoffed. “You earned that shit, sweetie.Own it. And that’s coming from someone who now has to take orders from you.”
“Go get me a coffee,” I joked. “Stat.”
“Don’t hold your breath,” she fired back playfully, earning a laugh from me.
I couldn’t help but check my watch, then scan the door, wondering if Blake was going to make it in today. The thought lingered with a low thrum of anticipation I couldn’t quite shake as I reached into my locker to grab my new badge.
Stopping by his place on Friday was entirely unnecessary onmy part. However, when I spoke with Dr. Tomblin that morning during a meeting to review some details for my new role in the ER, and she mentioned that she still needed some forms signed by him, I jumped at the chance. Between watching him zone out at work and then seeing him leave a couple of hours later, I was worried about him. It gave me an excuse to check on him, so I took it.
One look at him when I got to his place told me he wasn’t himself. He looked like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. And then I saw the state of his house. It wasn’tterrible, but it wasn’t Blake. It looked completely different from how it did when I was there while he was helping me study.
Whatever Blake was going through, he clearly didn’t want to talk about it. I knew pushing him would probably only make him retreat more. Still, I wanted to help in some way, even if it was in asmallway. Making him lunch and tidying up weren’t much, but they felt like the only ways I could do something without crossing too much of a line. I held back from doing more, half-afraid he’d notice and interpret it the wrong way. Part of me was relieved he didn’t pick up on it while I was there.
Marie called out that she would see me out on the floor before walking out of the locker room. I turned, grabbing my stethoscope and draping it around my neck just as the door opened.
I glanced over…and there was Blake.
“Morning,” I said gently.
He met my gaze as he moved to his locker. “Good morning.” I watched him slip his bag inside and grab his coat, sliding his muscled arms into the sleeves. “You ready for today?”
I smiled. “As ready as I can be.” I could still see a tiredness in his eyes, but he seemed to be a bit better.
He continued to hold my stare as he shoved a couple of pens into his pocket and grabbed his stethoscope. “Nervous?”
“A little,” I answered honestly.
“Don’t be. You’ll be fine.” Blake shut his locker, then he glanced around before taking a few steps toward me. “Hey, uh…I wanted to say thank you…for what you did at my house Friday.”
I waved a dismissive hand. “You don’t have to thank me.”
“Yes, I do.” His eyes searched mine, and I could see them flicker with genuine sincerity. “You didn’t have to do that, Haley. And I—I know you might think of it as something small and insignificant, but I…” He let out a breath, his voice softening. “I can’t tell you how much it actually meant…and helped.”
The gratitude in his voice genuinely took me aback, because I honestly didn’t see what I’d done as anything monumental. But I nodded softly. “You’re welcome.”
He held my stare for another heartbeat before he cleared his throat. “Alright…I stopped by and gave those papers to Dr. Tomblin on my way in, so she has everything she needs. So, let’s get out there and find out who your first patients are going to be.”
I looked over at him and smiled as we walked out of the locker room together.
