I exhale through my nose and murmur, “Think he knows who’s writing these?”
Ethan sighs, flipping the chart closed.“Not a chance.”
Chapter 4
Regan
Inthechangingroom,I find my assigned locker and pull it open.A fresh white coat hangs inside.Tucking my bag and spare clothes into the locker, I slip on scrubs and the coat.It’s stiff and pristine, the fabric unfamiliar.It still smells like starch, but feels like a new beginning.I tug it tighter around my body; it fits, but it doesn't feel like mine yet.After tying my hair up and giving my outfit a quick once-over, I head out.
I collect my ID and pass, then walk down the corridor to the break room.The hospital sounds of pagers, squeaky wheels, and clipped footsteps surround me.
The break room is a decent size, with beige walls, overhead fluorescents, and mismatched chairs gathered around small tables.A muted TV flickers in the corner.A couple of nurses are perched on stools by the counter, scrolling their phones or mumbling into Bluetooth earpieces.No one looks up as I walk in.A small relief—at least no one’s connecting me to the last name stitched above my heart.
I head to the coffee machine, scanning the row of mismatched mugs and faded labels.Even here, the lack of upgrades screams my dad’s presence.It knots in my stomach, this constant reminder of him, like he’s in every corner, suffocating me.Grabbing a mug, I pour some coffee before opening the mini fridge, where I spot it.
The creamer.
His creamer.
I glance over my shoulder to check no one’s watching.With my heart thudding, I twist the cap and pour some into my coffee.Just a splash.
He won’t even notice.
I take a sip, then stifle a grin behind the cup.Somehow, it tastes better this way, sweetened with a touch of mischief.
And apparently, he had some stashed here all along, while I had nothing.
When I stole the last bottle from him, I had no idea who he was.Just some uptight guy with a caffeine dependency and zero sense of humor.
Now?Now I know exactly who he is.
Dr.Brant Harrison.My new boss.
Of all the attendings at Pulse Point Medical Center, of course it had to be him.The guy whose creamer I’m currently stealing.The guy who looked at me in the shop like I’d committed a crime.
Just perfect.
Sliding into an empty seat by the window, I pull out my phone and see message notifications.
Liz:Good luck on your first day.Call me afterwards.;)
Mom:Good luck, darling.You’ve got this.I love you.X
I text them both back a quick thank you and a promise to call.Letting the warmth settle in my chest, I sip slowly, pretending this isn’t me being petty.For a moment, I feel… okay.
Eventually, I toss the empty cup and make my way out, feeling tense.Now, I’m officially Dr.Regan Thomas.New pediatric resident.
And Harrison?
He’s my supervising physician.
I push through the double doors into the peds wing.The air here feels different, louder, and more alive.Monitors beep in scattered rhythms, nurses murmur softly, and somewhere a toddler is crying.No one glances at me.I’m just another doctor in the mix.
At the nurses’ station, Harrison is tapping on a tablet, jacket off, sleeves rolled to his elbows, completely at ease in the chaos.He glances up.No smile, obviously.
“Good,” he says, checking his watch.“You’re on time.”
God forbid, I get a compliment for punctuality.
