"Your face told a different story.” Her words come out a little breathless, and I wonder for a second if maybe she feels some of this same attraction that I do.
I purse my lips, nodding at her statement. “I guess that’s something I have to work on.”
***
I wait rather impatiently outside the female locker rooms while Annaliese changes into her scrubs.
We’re silent on the short walk to the coffee shop, the smell of freshly ground beans welcoming us once the elevator doors to the first floor open up. The hallway comes to life the further we walk, most of the clinic staff now arriving for their shifts.
Annaliese smiles at everyone we pass. She always does. People seem to gravitate toward her, too. I don’t know if she realizes how many people, both men and women, do a double take when she walks these halls. Or maybe she’s used to it. All I know is that while she seems to be looking around, wanting to soak in everything and meet everyone, all I can do is stare at her.
We order our coffees, and I playfully slap the top of Annaliese’s hand when she tries to pay for her own coffee. I’m not much of a romancer, but I refuse to let her pay for her own drink.
We shuffle down to the end of the counter so Annaliese can add sugar to her coffee, and I’m about to ask her why she tucks a few extra packets into the pocket of her scrub pants when a familiar voice from the other end of the shop calls out to me.
We turn in tandem, and I see Ryan walk toward us.Fuck.
I can already see the shit-eating grin forming on his face as he glances from me to Annaliese, and back again. I pin him with my stare, begging him to play this cool.
“Ryan.” I keep my tone flat as I reach out to shake his hand once he’s near. “Still here from the night or coming in early?”
Ryan turns his attention to Annaliese, smiling briefly in a hello before answering me. “Coming in early. Here to grab something for me and the wife before she heads to the clinic for the day.”
I nod along. “How is Lainey?”
A glistening look of affection fills Ryan’s eyes as he answers, just like it always does when he talks about his wife. He ventures into a story about some brilliant idea she had for some project or another related to their clinic. I listen to him, mostly, but I let my gaze fall to Annaliese, wondering what she’s thinking right now as she tentatively listens to Ryan.
Ryan and I have both worked at this hospital for our entire careers. When I was a lowly resident spending most of my nights on call, he was a hospitalist also working nights. Clipped conversations eventually grew into chats, which grew into an actual friendship. He’s a good guy, and he’s proof that love can really change a person. Ever since meeting his wife, my broody and distant friend has become this mushy, sentimental man.
“I’m sorry,” Ryan says, pausing mid-conversation to turn back to Annaliese. “My asshole friend over here hasn’t properly introduced us. I’m Ryan.” He extends a palm toward Annaliese, and she places hers in his, shaking once.
“Annaliese Keeton, nice to meet you.”
Ryan’s smile widens. “Keeton? As in Richard Keeton?” Annaliese nods at his question. “Isn’t that something.” He looks at me, and I can tell beneath the scruff of his overgrown beard that he’s biting back a smile. “And this is the resident you were telling me about … interesting.”
“Interesting?” Annaliese echos, flicking her gaze toward me. I keep my firm stare at Ryan, willing him to shut the fuck up. He snickers and raises a hand to clap me on the shoulder.
I purposefully ignore Annaliese’s questioning gaze and turn the spotlight back to Ryan. “Ryan and his wife both work here, but they recently opened up a free clinic on the other side of the city. They service the underinsured or those without health insurance. Trying to buy their way into heaven or some shit.”
Ryan barks out a laugh at my comment. “Yeah, something like that. Hey man, thanks again for volunteering with us this weekend. We wouldn’t have been able to screen everyone without your help.”
I nod while bringing my coffee to my lips for a sip so I don’t have to talk, hoping Ryan takes the hint.
Annaliese takes that opportunity to prod. “I had no idea Dr. Andrews was so big into philanthropy.” She playfully bumps me with her shoulder, and Ryan laughs.
“There’s a lot about this guy that might surprise you. We should all get together sometime. I know my wife would love to hear about what you’ve been up to in Africa, but I beg you to keep it vague, otherwise that will be her next adventure.”
Annaliese’s mouth falls open with surprise, and shit, I’ve been busted. I place a hand between her shoulder blades and usher her toward the exit. “Alright, let’s go Annaliese. We’ve already wasted half our prep time gossiping. Not all of us have the leisurely schedule that Dr. Ryan seems to have.”
Ryan barks out a laugh again then reaches both hands to clasp my shoulders as I try to turn around. “Oh Colter, you dog, you.”
“Cut your hair, caveman,” I murmur under my breath.
He reaches a hand out to shake Annaliese’s hand again. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Annaliese; I’ve heard wonderful things. Let me know if this asshole is too hard on you.” He passes both of us to go order his drinks, calling over his shoulder as he does, “And I’m serious about the two of you coming over for dinner.”
I dip my head in a nod, ushering Annaliese out of the coffee shop so fast I nearly trip. I know I brought her up once or twice when I was with Ryan, mostly complaining about having a shadow every fucking day. I might have mentioned Africa, but that was only to tell them about what brought her back to Chicago. I definitely didn’t tell him that she’s attractive, or that she can make me laugh even in my worst moods, but I should have known he’d figure things out pretty quick once he met her. The tips of my ears burn, and I quicken my steps, bypassing the elevator and reaching for the door that leads to the stairwell.
Only once we’re safely behind the closed door, do I let myself exhale. We take the steps at a leisurely pace, both sipping our coffees in silence. I think I may have been given a free pass for the day until she clears her throat and I turn, seeing that teasing sparkle back in her eye. “So … Dr. Andrews likes to volunteer in his free time … that’s a fun little surprise.”
