“And?”
“And…she wanted me to be there with her.”
“I thought you two weren’t on speaking terms.”
I eyed the sentimental messages pinned on a board. “We’re working on it. It’s a long story, but I’m at the hospital.”
“You’re here?” He sounded pleasantly surprised. “I’ll meet you in the cafeteria.”
“Okay. Love you,” I said.
His breath hitched on the other end.
Oh my god. I hung up and covered my face.
Why did I keep sayingthat to him when he hadn’t said it back?
I probably came off as a schoolgirl with a crush. Ugh. My stomach rolled, and I wasn’t sure if it was from hunger, or the realization that the cafeteria would be swarming with medical staff and students at this hour. I couldn’t call Angel after that billionth unrequited love confession to change locations.
Well, hopefully no one would notice me. I kept my head down on the way over.
What were the odds I’d run into someone else I knew, anyway?
“Tori?” someone called way too enthusiastically.
Ah, scrubs.
I froze as a former classmate trotted over. “H-hi, Neelam,” I said. It hadn’t been long enough for me to forget her name or smile.
She had the biggest, whitest teeth. She’d have made a killing in dentistry.
“How are you doing?” she asked, squeezing my arm.
“Fine.” Despite my will to smile deflating with each passing second. “How are you?”
“So busy. You know how it is. Guess I’m just counting on all that discount Valentine’s chocolate to get me through the next exam.” She letout a hiccup-y laugh. “But I haven’t seen you around. Did you switch specialties?”
“No, I’m between specialties, at the moment.” I searched for an escape and my boyfriend, but the only white hair I caught sight of was someone who reminded me of my guidance counselor. My chest tightened like someone had yanked all the air out of it. Was it them? Had they noticed me?
Neelam nodded. “Ah, focusing on more general requirements?”
“Life…balance,” I muttered, remembering that horrible discharge sheet from the program.
“Huh?” she asked.
We didn’t have time for a therapy session.
I pointed to my visitor’s badge. “My sister’s in labor, so I’m not really here for a class.”
“Oh my goodness, congratulations.” She patted my arm again, and I tried not to cringe. “First-time auntie?” she asked.
“Yes.” Although technically, I was Auntie Tori to Kat’s feline, Jinx.
“She must feel so lucky to have a future doctor in the family. I’m sure she’ll ask you all the questions.”
“She’ll ask. I’m not sure if I can answer.”
“Sure, you can. You did great in class.”
