Kim rolled her eyes.
“So, tell me how your trip went. I spent half the time being happy for you and the other half being jealous. How is everyone?” Beth asked.
“Everyone was great. They all asked how you were doing.”
“Really?” Beth’s heart warmed at the thought.
“Yes, but more importantly—” Kim’s eyes gleamed. “They wanted to know… WHAT is going on with you and Dr. Jensen?!”
Beth laughed and shoved her. “Oh, stop. They did not.”
Kim waggled her eyebrows. “Okay, no—but trust me, everyone at the hospital gossip mill wants to know.”
Beth froze. “Wait—the gossip mill knows about us?”
Kim’s curiosity softened into concern. She took Beth’s hand in both of hers. “Oh, sweetie, no. They don’t know aboutyou specifically. They just know something has changed with Dr. Jensen and suspect it’s because of a woman.”
Beth breathed a little easier.
Kim squeezed her hands. “You and Dr. Jensen are dating, aren’t you? He has a picture of you guys in his wallet. And then, seeing you two together, I knew there was something going on.”
Beth hesitated. “Well, a lot has happened while you were gone. He just asked me out for the first time tonight. He’s picking me up at nine tomorrow morning.”
Kim practically vibrated with excitement. “Oh really? Where’s he taking you?”
“I have no idea. All he said was to dress warm.”
“Well, in Colorado, that could mean just about anything.”
DING DONG.
Kim scowled at the door for interrupting them, even knowing it held sustenance on the other side. The doorbell rang again, prompting her to move toward it as she spoke.
“What I don’t get is—if tomorrow is your first date, why does he have a couple-y picture of you two from Vegas?” She opened the door and turned her soft round face toward the delivery driver.
“Hi, you ordered the large pizza, large fry, and cream soda?” the kid asked, pulling everything but the soda from the heated carrier.
“Yes, we did. What do we owe you?” Beth asked, reaching for her cash.
“Nothing. Mr. Ritchie said to tell Kim, ‘Welcome home. And you were missed.’” With a shrug and an expression that said his boss wascrazy, the young man handed them the pizza and turned toward the stairs.
“Did you hear that?” Beth laughed, “HA! And you claim he has no feelings for you. You should call and thank Ritchie for our FREE dinner.”
“Oh hush, I can’t believe he did that. Don’t you find it a little odd? I mean, we’ve never even seen the man in person.”
“What can I say? You have an amazing voice, and you order from them 2 to 3 times a week.” Beth shut the door.
“Wait—you didn’t answer my question.” Kim paused, fixing on Beth with a pointed look. “How does Dr. Jensen have a couple-y picture of you two from Vegas if tomorrow is your first date?”
“A picture?” Beth asked, her voice a little too high.
Kim nodded, smugly. “Mmm-hmm.”
Beth swallowed hard.
“I don’t know about a picture… but maybe because we got drunk and married in Vegas,” she said sheepishly.
Kim dropped the pizza.
