Page 4 of Never Till Now

For once, I am not the tall one among the girls. “I’m Velma.” She glances down at my nametag and gives me a puzzling look.

I know what’s about to come out of her mouth just like everyone else I run into when the subject of jobs arises. I look too young to be in my job position, and I am younger than most.

“You must be a smart cookie.” She smiles. I worked my ass off through high school to be qualified as a practitioner as soon as possible.

“I like to learn.” I smile and follow her down the emergency room hallway.

“You’ll be working the opposite shift to me, but Tessa is a great nurse and a hard worker. I think you’ll get along great.” Velma smiles as the wrinkles on her eyes crease.

The next few hours are spent proving my knowledge of trauma cases. I’m due for a coffee by the time I take a break. I walk the break room, and a small brunette pokes her head out of the doorway. Her straight pigtails barely reach her shoulders.

“You must be the new girl, Lauren.” Her smile reaches her brown eyes. “I’m Tessa.”

She’s short. Almost doll-like from the anime shows that my best friend Rachel watches.

“Hey, Tessa. I heard Velma talk very highly of you.” My five-eleven lanky frame towers over her.

“I have a mouth other than mine to feed. Can’t risk losing my job.” She laughs and shows me her phone. “That’s my son, Dylan. I got pregnant at nineteen, but my parents help out a lot. I can’t believe he is starting kindergarten in the fall.” She pauses, expecting more than just my smile.

“He looks just like you,” I reply, always unsure of these moments.

The moments where people spill their personal information or life story and expect you to do the same. My story isn’t going to change her life, and honestly, I try and bury my past daily. What matters is the current moment we are in and the job I am here for. Be friendly and smile, but stay disconnected. I’ve witnessed the pain people go through when a friendship, relationship or loved one is no longer in their life. I’m social and happy, but a deeper connection is unnecessary.

I finish out my next few shifts strong. Work has been mentally exhausting, and every night when my shift ends, I pass out after my shower. Tonight is different. Maybe it’s the glow of the city lights illuminating through the raindrops on the cab window or the fact that I haven’t hooked up with anyone in a few months. A rarity for me. I played the good girl until my senior year of university. Now, I’ve hooked up with over a handful of men in the last year and a half. Rachel calls it making up for lost time, while some would probably label me as a straight-up skank.

The cab passes by the large hotel I previously stayed at. In the glow of the rain, it’s even more inviting with the yellow lights and dark velvet entry. I ignore the calling of my bed as I walk into my condo. The warmth of the shower clears my head before I walk three blocks over to the hotel bar lounge. I wonder if I should have kept my car on nights like this, but the goal for my future project is worth a short walk in the rain.

The faint perfume through the hotel air vents subconsciously adds to the higher-class appeal. The black countertop reflects a warm glow off the lights and the empty piano. The royal-blue, diamond-tucked booths sit unoccupied. The lounge seems dull for a Thursday. Even though this place is empty, for some reason, I feel underdressed. I glance down at my leggings and a flowy silk tank top. Maybe I should have chosen a cocktail dress. I push the self-judgment aside and take a seat on the same barstool as before.

“Do you poison customers so no one returns?” Max lifts his eyes up from his phone as I wave my hands at the emptiness.

“You must have been a lucky one.” A smile breaks across his face.

“Why is this place empty?” I take a seat, propping my elbows up to rest my chin on my hands. “You give out free dishes of maraschino cherries.”

“There are a few shows playing tonight, and we aren’t booked to full capacity.” He shrugs, not making much eye contact. “Are you in this city for good?”

“As long as this city holds my interest, I’ll stay.” I smirk using a flirty tone.

“Shirley Temple sans alcohol?”

He remembered.

“With extra cherries, please.” He has this brooding, chill vibe to him. “Also, if your food is safe to eat, order me your favorite thing off the menu.”

He nods, punching something into the waiter tablet. “It’ll be about ten minutes.”

I stir my drink and wish I had chosen a nightclub instead. Max is attractive. He has a tall, lean muscular build with dark-blond hair styled upward at the front. I imagine it’s silky soft when you run your fingers through it, but he’s not throwing any flirty looks my way. His brooding blue eyes remain focused everywhere but on me. There are always more choices in men at a club or frat boys on a school campus. Frat boys are usually the best to get my fix from because they don’t want you in the morning. Still, I always hold the fear that they have contracted some type of STD and the older men end up wanting more than just one night. The game is ruthless.

The plate clinks on the bar top, pulling me out of my thoughts. A giant burger and seasoned hand-cut fries sit in front of me.

“I hope you’re not a vegetarian.” Max laughs.

“No, this looks incredible.” I am midbite as a voice ghosts from behind.

“Look who got hired.” Charmer takes a seat next to me.

“My job perk is being able to live anywhere.”