She follows my line of sight and lets out a knowing hum. “Ah. New guard. Cute. And very much clocking you.”
“Stop,” I mutter, heat creeping into my cheeks as I drop my hand.
She grins, completely unrepentant. “I’m just observing. It’s literally my job as your best friend.”
Then she leans in a little closer, lowering her voice like she’s delivering a very important PSA. “Which is also why we’re locking in a girls’ night soon. Drinks, dancing, bad decisions,”
“Tate,”
“, and” she continues smoothly, “zero men trying it on with us. Absolutely none. We exist. We sparkle. They admire from afar.”
I laugh despite myself.
She straightens, flashes me a smug smile, and adds, “You’re welcome. I’ll send the calendar invite.”
The shift ends quietly.
I sign off my charts, sling my bag over my shoulder, and step out of the ICU, already halfway into my head when a voice stops me.
“Hey, Emmy.”
I turn.
Ryan is a few steps behind me, uniform jacket unzipped, posture relaxed like he’s been debating whether to catch up and finally decided to go for it.
“Looks like we’re escaping at the same time,” he says, smiling.
“Lucky us,” I reply, returning it before I can overthink.
He falls into step beside me as we walk down the corridor. Up close, he smells faintly of coffee and something clean, his presence easy, uncomplicated. No sharp edges. No weight pressing in from behind.
“I realised,” he says, glancing sideways at me, “that I’ve spent all day stationed near you without actually introducing myself properly. I’m Ryan.”
“I know,” I say, amused. “You have a badge.”
He laughs. “Fair. Still, nice to officially meet you.”
Thelights hum overhead as we walk, the hospital slowly emptying around us. My fingers brush the centre of my chest, grounding, as that familiar sensation stirs again.
You’re mine.
The words ghost through my thoughts, uninvited, low and certain.
I straighten my shoulders.
Ryan clears his throat. “There’s a coffee place just down the street. Nothing fancy, but decent caffeine.” He hesitates just enough to make it charming. “Want to grab one? Now, if you’re free.”
Now.
The word lands like a challenge.
For a heartbeat, I see Khai’s face in my mind. Feel his hand at my waist. Hear the certainty in his voice, the way he spoke like the decision had already been made.
I don’t belong to anyone.
Defiance sparks, quiet, steady, unmistakable.
“Yeah,” I say, meeting Ryan’s gaze. “I’d like that.”
