“I’m not convinced. Especially since you still haven’t given me details about what happened at the reception.” Ben huffed. “My love life can be put on full display but not yours?”
“I have no love life besides my family, whom I love.”
Solomon took one last bite of his meal, ignoring the fruit salad and roll. “And it’s too easy to comment on yours because you overshare.” He stood, triggering Ben to do the same. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way. You bring entertainment into my life.”
“Glad I could be of service,” Ben mumbled.
“And to show my gratitude”—Solomon dropped off his plate at the tray return—“your next food-plan experiment of a diet is on me.”
Ben grunted and placed his cup on the counter. “For that to happen, you actually have to come hang out with me and the guys. When was the last time you went out? And no, the reception doesn’t count and especially since you left early to rescue that damsel in distress.”
Solomon shot a look so quickly Ben laughed.
“Yeah, got ya.”
Solomon ignored him and pumped a dollop of hand sanitizer into his hands. Ben walked past it, but Solomon grabbed the bottle and forcefully pumped some drops onto Ben’s hands as well.
He rolled his eyes. “Thanks, Mom.”
“Don’t mention it.” Solomon grinned and clasped Ben’s shoulder.
“I feel like you’ve been so stressed out the past few months,” Ben continued.
“Have you forgotten the test that I have coming up?”
His friend shrugged. “You’ll pass that easy. Stop putting so much pressure on yourself.”
Solomon shook his head. That was hard to do when he felt the pressure from so many others. “Okay, so what do you have in mind? Do you wanna go check out a restaurant or catch a movie?”
Ben’s laugh rang out. “I see. Just like you to change the subject when things get too personal.”
Solomon raised his hands. “You’re the one talking about getting out. And no, I’m not trying to share all the reasons why I’m stressed. It is par for the course as a child of immigrants.”
Ben scoffed. “Dude, what are you talking about? It’s par for the course for the profession we’re in. That’s why I’m on all these food experiments. And working out. Gives me a distraction from the intensity here.”
“Touché,” Solomon acquiesced. “But now that my parents are in town, my free time is not as free as usual,andI’m going to have to spend a portion of that planning for my parents’ vow renewal.”
Ben whistled, digging his hands into the pockets of his scrubs. “Can you be any more boring? Planning a party for your parents?”
Solomon laughed. “Have you ever been to a Nigerian party?”
“No, but I’ll go if you invite me.”
“We’ll see if my sister will let me add you to the invite list.”
Ben side-eyed him as they stopped in front of the elevator. “You’re saying that like it’s not gonna happen.”
Solomon clasped his shoulder. “Because it’s probably not gonna happen.”
Ben shook his head with a chuckle.
At the elevator’s ding, Solomon waved at the exiting nurses. He hit the button for the rehabilitation floor to get his things before heading to the Optima Clinic for his outpatient hours. “Actually,noneof it would be happening if I didn’t work something out with an event planner. She’s going to be a huge help. Really vibrant and creative. Perfect match for my parents.” He cleared his throat. Glanced at his watch. Smoothed out a nonexistent wrinkle in his shirt.
Ben leaned against the elevator wall as it started its journey up. “Work something out, huh? You’re interested in her. I can see it all over you.”
“Man, you can’t see anything.” Solomon scoffed. “Can you just tell me what you’re planning for the next time you hang out so we can get back to our shifts and I can get away from this conversation?”
Bensmirked at Solomon’s dodge.“Hey, you’re not doing me any favors. I’m just trying to alleviate your stress level.” The door opened and Solomon stepped out, relieved. Ben placed his hand on the door to keep it open. “Let’s shake on it. That way I have an excuse to get out of the apartment on my day off because my girlfriend thinks you’re a good influence on me. Then maybe our conversations will be a little morefunon future lunch breaks.”
