I really am busy tonight.
If I’m being honest with myself, it’s been lonely here in LA. My best friends are always on the road, and while our video calls and movie nights are a blast, I’d love some in-person company for a change.
“I understand.” Talia’s face falls for a second, but she recovers quickly and smiles. “I didn’t know you were looking for a new place. Looking for something close by?”
“Close would be good, but I haven’t had luck finding the right apartment. Finding the perfect place in LA is rough.” I frown at the prospect of moving. But after my ex’s drunken pop-in, it’s time for me to get a new place.
And for Bradley to listen to some Taylor, because we are never getting back together.Like,ever.
“You know, there’s a great place that just became available, and I have the inside scoop on it.” Talia has my full attention.
When I say the housing market is rough, I’m being nice. It’s a nightmare. Apartments the size of an on-call room cost as much as mortgages. It’s insane.
“You do?”
She grins. “I do. It’s only a twenty-minute drive from the hospital, and the apartment is on the top floor. Want me to set up a viewing?”
“Top floor? In LA? I don’t think I could afford it.” My stomach drops.
Penthouses in the city are out of my price range. I don’t want to live in an apartment forever. I’ve been saving up to buy a home here in LA, somewhere I can put down roots. I’m a NorCal girl at heart, and I never thought I would like it here, but it turns out the Southern California sun suits me.
Just like Charlotte said it would.
Talia pats my shoulder. “Don’t worry. I know the owner. I can totally get you the friends and family discount.”
“Really? You’d do that for me?” I’ve done nothing to deserve Talia’s kindness.
“Of course. I’d love to help you.” Talia bounces on her toes, a bit of mischief in her grin.
“Ohmigod, Talia, thank you. I’d love to see the place. All the places I’ve seen so far are awful. I can meet the owner anytime. Just let me know when and where.”
“The owner is busy tonight, so I’ll show you the apartment myself.” She grabs a pen and writes the address on a sticky note, then hands it to me. “After our shift today, say, seven?”
I take the note. “Are you sure? I don’t want to make you late to your own party.”
“I’m sure. I’m happy to help. Our reservation isn’t until nine, and besides, one of my sisters-in-law is pregnant. The other two are breastfeeding. So it won’t be that crazy of a night. Maybe if you like the place, you can join us for a little celebratory drink?”
Her offer sounds too good to be true, but what have I got to lose? I need to get out of my place. Stat. “What the hell. If you’ve found me the place, then I’m in. Drinks are on me.”
“I’ll let you pay another night. Tonight, everything is on Cam. This crazy bachelorette party was his idea and a gift for me.”
It must be nice marrying a man who plans special nights for his fiancée.
Together, we make our way down the corridor towards our next set of patients. “So, what are we talking about, cocktails at some fancy-pants restaurant?”
Talia barks a laugh as she shakes her head. “Oh, no. Cam went all out. You’ll see.”
“I’m in.” I stop outside the patient’s door. “As long as the place is the one.”
“Oh, it’s the one alright.” Talia smirks as she walks into the room ahead of me.
Something about the way her eyes sparkled when she said that makes the butterflies in my stomach soar.
I hope she’s right.
six
Nico
