“I didn’t do anything to him. Why?”
“He was all upset and said it was the worst experience of his life.”
“Well, maybe you shouldn’t have set me up with an animal-hating, rude man who was more busy staring at the server’s ass than giving me any attention.”
“You jealous?”
“No, of course not. I don’t ever want to see him again. Besides, he seems to like you more. Why aren’t you dating him instead?”
“Because he’s not financially stable.”
“Wow, so you thought he would be good for me? Thanks. I see what you think of me. Well, thanks for the wasted night.”
“He said you ran off with another man anyway and he had to pay the bill.”
“Ha. I didn’t run off with another man. He escorted me to my car and also paid for the dinner, so don’t let Tom lie.”
“Girls, what’s going on?”
“Nothing, Dr. Lee. What do you need me to start with?”
“Check on our overnight patients.” I go back and get to work, avoiding Anne as much as I can. She does the same, but I do catch her glares every once in a while when our paths cross.
“You’ve done an amazing job today, Caroline. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Thank you, Dr. Lee.” He cups my shoulder and gives it a squeeze. “Don’t let Anne get to you. She’s been looking for jobs during her down time, so she’s miserable here,” he says with a smirk. “Do you have plans for the holiday?”
“No. My family doesn’t live in Illinois anymore, so I’ll be just enjoying the warmth by myself with hot cocoa and holiday movies.”
“Well, you’re more than welcome to join the wife and me. We’re having family and some friends over on the twenty-fourth for a big party.”
“Thank you. I might take you up on that offer,” I say. After all, I had no one to spend time with, so it would be nice to not be alone during the holidays.
“Have a good evening. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I wave goodbye and leave the building, heading to my car only to find a note with one word written on it.
Whore
Well, at least they didn’t key my car. I take my gloved hand and crumple it up before getting inside. I don’t look for the person who left it because there are only two people who could have written the note: Tom or Anne. She left fifteen minutes before me and Tom knows where I work, so he’s the prick who thinks I’m a whore.
I would call the police, but with the sirens blaring, I’m assuming they’re pretty busy. I’m shocked by it, to say the least. After how bad our date went, I thought he’d be grateful to never interact with me again. Maybe this is a one-off message. Before I can debate my feelings on it, my phone rings. It’s my dad. “Hey, Dad, how is it going?”
“Okay, Princess. I was wondering if you planned on coming home for Christmas.”
“No. You know I can’t travel right now. I only have a couple of days off and don’t have the money. Why don’t you and Mom come to see my new home?”
“Sorry, dear. We told you not to buy a house up there. It’s in the middle of nowhere and so far from the city.”
“It’s forty-five minutes to an hour.”
“Between the flight and everything, we wouldn’t be there for very long, and then we’d have to get back because your mom and I have our dance nights.” I nod to myself, lips pressed together. “Besides, we don’t like the cold.” I groan and then pull the phone away from my face before I say something terrible.
“You don’t need to continue with the excuses. Talk to you another time.” I end the call and then finally pull out of myparking space. The plow trucks have gotten the snow cleared, so the trip home is quick and painless. I grab my mail and then enter my house, strip out of my clothes, and shower. The one thing that comes with working with so many animals is that sometimes you smell a little ripe by the end of the day.
Once I’m in my leggings and hoodie, I open my fridge, regretting that I didn’t prep anything to eat. I make a quick chicken salad and then go into the living room to read a book. It’s a cozy mystery novel set in the middle of winter. I try to get into it but I can’t, so I set it down and turn on the television to put on some cheesy small-town holiday romance. I have to turn it off because the guy looks too much like Parker.
I sigh and then look at all my pretty decorations, realizing I have no one to share them with. My heart feels empty as I go around the room touching the white garland.
“Maybe I’ll try the book again,” I mutter to myself. I snag one of my snickerdoodles from the table and walk back to the sofa, only for the doorbell to ring. “Who could be here?”
