Three
—
I looked around the well-lit, clean hospital. The bright lights shone on the smooth floor. An antibacterial scent hung in the air. A chill lingered on my skin even with my jacket on. The air conditioning must be on high.
Besides me and Julia, there was another family in the waiting room. An older woman with two young women sat across from us. It looked like a mother and her two daughters. There were anxious expressions on all their faces. The youngest daughter hadn’t looked up once from her cell phone.
Julia’s features were twisted with worry. She bounced her left leg, shaking the row of seats we were on.
“What’s taking them so long?”
I patted her shoulder. “It’s better they take a while, Jules. They’ll learn more about what’s up with your mom if they’re thorough.”
“You’re right.” She sighed and threw me a quick smile. “Thanks for coming with me today, Angie. I know spending hours in a hospital waiting room isn’t a fun way to spend the weekend.”
“I’m a homebody these days. I’m either at work or at home.” I grinned. “This is literally a party right now for me.”
“That’s sad, but that’s the same for me too.” She took a deep breath. “I think I’m so nervous is because I hate hospitals. I made some of my worst memories in them. Way too much pain and suffering in one place.”
“Maybe associate good things to it so you don’t feel so anxious.” I jerked a chin at a pregnant woman being wheeled in a wheelchair. “That lady’s probably here to give birth. That will be a happy memory for her. Then there are the people who get healed from many diseases here.”
“I guess,” she said, but with a doubtful expression. “It’ll take me a long time before I consider this place good.”
I was about to respond when a familiar person approached us. The handsome man I’d met on the street. Except he wore navy blue scrubs with a white doctor’s coat over it. My initial guess he was a doctor got confirmed.
He glanced at me. If it surprised him to see me, he didn’t show it. Instead he continued over to the trio. Their anxious expressions faded into relieved, grateful smiles as he spoke with them.
“Roll your tongue back into your mouth, Rover,” Julia teased. “Don’t want the cute doctor to get spooked.”
“I met him before.”
Julia straightened in her seat. “Where?”
“Coffee shop near my apartment. We bumped into each other by accident. He offered to buy me coffee.”
“You said ‘no’, didn’t you? You have that whole ‘men are trouble’ stance.”
“I said yes, but his pager beeped. He had to leave.”
Julia made a face. “That sucks. You gave him your number though, right?” When I shook my head in shame, she shook hers in disappointment. “Stop wasting your good looks, girl.”
I didn’t mention how I’d met him another time. I’d have to tell her why we still didn’t have coffee together. That I’d been meeting up with a con artist to discuss art theft.
Residual anger and shame returned when I remembered that moment. I hadn’t returned to the coffee shop ever since. That’s why I hadn’t seen the sexy guy in a while.
It was good to see him again even if briefly. He and the trio of women left the waiting room. On his way out, he gave me a quick nod of acknowledgement which I returned.
Julia smirked. “Guess he remembers you.”
“Guess so.”
Dr. Stein, the doctor attending to Julia’s mom approached us. Julia leaped to her feet, startling him. She peppered him with questions about her mother. The doctor had to hold them back by lifting his hands.
A serious expression came over his face. “I think it would be best if we discussed this in my office.”
Julia nodded then glanced at me. “I’ll be back, Angie. If you can’t wait, I’ll understand.”
“No, I’ll wait. Good luck.”
She smiled. “Then go find the cute doctor and give him your number this time.”
I smiled at her. I watched her disappear with Dr. Stein down a hallway. The TV caught my attention and on it was yet another familiar face. Stacy Gamble, a girl I used to work with at EI8HT. She was the bartender when I was a bar back. We’d become good friends. Even after my debacle with the cocaine incident, we’d maintained a friendship.
But she’d quit EI8HT when she got a breakthrough with her acting career. Last time I’d spoken with her, she’d moved in with her boyfriend, Lucas. He was a wealthy lawyer she’d met at EI8HT.
Seeing her bright, happy face sent a twinge of jealousy through me. I was happy for her. But if I were being honest, I wanted what she’d achieved. I wanted success in my career. I wanted a handsome man to call me his.
Those things weren’t on the horizon for me. My future was murky at best.
I looked away from the screen, fidgeting in my seat. I was the only one left in the waiting room now. I wished I’d brought my tablet. At least I could have done quick sketches to pass the time.
The handsome man from the coffee shop strode toward the nurses station. The two nurses who’d barely acknowledged anyone became attentive. He handed them a clipboard, charming them with a smile. He spoke and one nurse laughed out loud. Like whatever he’d said was the best joke she’d heard all morning.
I rolled my eyes.
Wow, strong is the thirst in that one.
Then he turned and his gaze found mine.
He left the nurses station and came toward me.