I glance to my side.Dr.Patel, one of the ER docs, leans against the desk, arms crossed, a knowing look in his eyes.
“What was?”I ask.
He nudges his chin to the now vacant area beside me.“Lowell doesn’t usually talk to anyone like that.”
“He spoke just fine.”
“Yeah.”Patel smirks.“To you.He tends to be a short individual, not saying much to the majority of people.I think the most that’s gotten out of him are acknowledgements that he’s heard you.”
I refocus on my notes, but my mind continues thinking about the interaction longer than it should.The way Lowell looked at me when I talked about the patient, like he understood exactly what that victory meant.And the casual way he called me Pierce, like we’d been working together for months instead of just crossing paths.There was something different about the whole exchange, something that felt less like colleague small talk and more like something else entirely.
A few hours later, I throw my bag into my locker, stretching out the tension in my shoulders.Keith’s out tonight, catching up with Adam and someone from out of town, so the house is mine.
I pull out my phone and stare at the blank message screen.We’ve only kissed, so are we at the point where I can just invite her over?What if she already has plans?What if this is moving too fast?I type out a message before I can second-guess myself any further.
Me:Guess who’s got the house to himself tonight?
This feels like something a teenager would do, sneaking around when the parents aren’t home.But I hit send anyway.
Amelia’s reply comes almost immediately.
Amelia:Is this you asking me to come over?;)
I chuckle to myself at her fast response.
Me:Need time to shower and wash off the hospital.Come over after 8?
Amelia:Done.
Another text comes through before I can set the phone down.
Amelia:Also, did you see the article went live?Let me know what you think.
Me:Haven’t seen it yet.I’m at the hospital.Will read it.
Amelia:No pressure.Just wanted you to know it’s out there.
I stare at her message for a moment.Out there.My story.My truth.Now the whole town can read it.And the anticipation settles in my chest, making me finish my notes faster.
By the time I walk into my house, I’m already peeling off my scrubs, triple-checking that Keith isn’t home.The moment the hot water hits my skin, I close my eyes, letting the day wash away.
Because tonight, I’m not thinking about work.
I’m thinking about Amelia.About what it’ll be like to have her here, in my space, without having to worry about who might see us.About whether she’ll be as nervous as I am, and if this will feel as intense behind closed doors as it does everywhere else.
I’m getting dressed when I hear the car pull into the driveway, followed by the knock.
When I open the door, Amelia moves toward me with a bright smile lighting up her face.The glow from the porch light catches in her brown and blonde highlighted hair, and there’s something effortless about the way she moves towards me… like she belongs here, like she’s always belonged here.
“I read it,” I say, before she can even speak.“The article.”
Her eyes fill with cautious hope.“And?”
“It’s perfect.”My voice catches.“You… you got it right.All of it.Even the parts I didn’t know how to explain properly.”
She smiles as she takes the first step up.“I’m glad.I wanted to do your story justice.”
“You did more than that,” I say, and kiss her.
