Sometimes, working with children and having my ownisn’t the easiest thing in the world. But I love what I do too much to give it up.
Stuffing my stethoscope into my scrubs pocket, I drop the chart of my last patient into the appropriate slot. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Linda.”
“Have a nice night,” she calls after me.
The break room is blissfully quiet as I push open the door, grab my phone from my locker, and collapse onto the couch. Even though I’m used to being on my feet for a twelve-hour shift, I need a minute before changing and heading home.
Opening the text messages, a smile lights up my face at what’s waiting for me.
Derek
I’m looking forward to Saturday
I fireoff a text back to him.
Sutton
It’s still four days away
His response is immediate.
Still. I wish I could see you sooner
Me too
Troy is asking me when he can have a playdate with Lydia again
Maybe after our second date. I want you all to myself
You do, hmm?
You know I do
I dropmy phone onto my chest and hide my squeal in my hands. I feel like a teenager again, texting with Derek like this. Confessing how much I really want to see him.
God, I wish we didn’t have to wait so long
Me either
Is it too much to say I’ll be thinking of you every day until then?
Butterflies explode in my stomach.Happy, fluttery butterflies. Ones that I haven’t felt in a long time. Ones that I hope to keep feeling because of Derek Hollins.
No. Because I’ve been thinking about you since our last date…
Me too, Sutton. Me too
“Sutton!”Jameson comes barging into the break room, a look of pure panicon his face.
“What is it? What’s wrong?” I spring off the couch, dread settling into my stomach. The butterflies take flight. “Is Lydia okay?”
So much for the warm, happy feeling.
“Youcannotdate Derek.”
Out of all the things I expected my best friend to say, that was not it.
“I’m sorry, what? What are you talking about? Lydia is okay?”
