Chapter Twenty-Five
In comparison to her previous mood, Jade was a little too chipper at work that week and people were starting to wonder about her. She tried to dial down the euphoria around her more despondent patients but gave up after about an hour. There was no use. It was as if she had extra teeth in her mouth and needed to grin.
And why shouldn’t she be happy? She was in love, she hadn’t had heartburn in two days, and she was about to tear into a huge Tasty Cake from the vending machine.
“You seem happy.”
Feeding her last quarter into the machine she turned and saw Dr. Philips, a young, handsome surgeon from a floor she sometimes worked on.
“Hey, Bryan.” She punched in the code for her chocolate fix. “I am happy.”
As her snack fell to the bottom of the machine she reached into the trap to retrieve it. Springing back up to face the doctor she smiled. He had one of those faces that could be in a catalogue, all American boyish charm in the shape of a man. His medical degree didn’t hurt matters either, although he did have a bit of a chip on his shoulder from time to time. But with his grandparents funding an entire wing of the hospital and his father one of the most prestigious surgeons in the country, she supposed he was entitled.
She tore open the cellophane. “Life is good.”
“I’m glad.” He turned, holding a paper coffee cup under the spray of the cappuccino machine.
She shut her eyes as the caffeinated fragrance steamed from the cup. “God, that smells divine.”
Reaching for the stack of cups, he held one out to her. “Want a cup?” No wedding band. Maybe she should introduce him to Lily if they didn’t already know each other.
She bit into her cake and swallowed. “No. I can’t. I’m trying to cut back on my caffeine. Thank you, though.” She took another bite and moaned.
“Well, you know that Twinkie probably has more caffeine in it than a cup of coffee.”
“Shhh, one step at a time, doc.”
He watched her for a second and she sensed he was a little jealous. A kind person might offer him the other half. She was kind, but that half belonged to bean. “So good.”
He chuckled. “I can tell.”
She liked Bryan Philips and, again, wished she could fix him up with Lily. Although they all worked in the same hospital, the two never really crossed paths. Jade, however, knew them both and thought they would make a nice couple.
“Are you dating anyone?”
He paused mid sip and met her stare. “Not at the moment. Why?”
She wiped her mouth and crumpled the wrapper in her hand. “I have a friend. She works here. You should check her out.”
He frowned. “A friend?”
“Yeah. Lily Bishop.”
“I know Lily.”
“Oh. Good.” He didn’t seem too interested. “Do you not like her?” Everyone liked Lily.
He shrugged and leaned a hip against the counter. He looked good in a lab coat. He and Lily could have little junior practitioner babies that would be adorable with her Latin complexion and his strong features.
“She’s nice. I never really talked to her about anything but work. I’m not sure she’s my type.”
“And what is your type?”
“Why this sudden urge to fix me up?”
She shrugged and dusted the crumbs off her fingers. “I don’t know. I just figured… I’m always surprised you’re single.”
He gave her a slow smile. “Aren’t you single? I’d find that more surprising.”
“I was, but not anymore.” Nope! She was happily taken. “God, that coffee really smells good.”
Bryan frowned at his cup. “Why this sudden need to give up your one vice?”
“Ah, but I have many vices, shoes, clothes, romance novels. Coffee’s but one and I’m merely trading it in for the next few months. I could never abandon caffeine completely.”
“And what’s in few months? Don’t tell me you’re doing that crazy cleanse all the other nurses are on.”
“You just saw me devour a cupcake.”
“True.”
She tilted her head. In another month there’d be no hiding her condition. “Well, in six months I’m going to have a baby.”
He coughed into his cup and quickly wiped his mouth. “You’re kidding?”
“Serious as a heart attack.”
He looked at her, his mouth open, but no words came out. “How far along are you?”
“A little over three months.”
“Well, that’s … that’s wonderful, Jade.”
“Thanks. I didn’t plan it, but I’m adapting.”
“Well, you seem happy.” His eyes studied her for a long moment. “I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks. You’re actually one of the first coworkers I’ve told, so you should feel very privileged.”
“I’m truly honored.” He theatrically bowed at the significant honor. “Who else knows?”
“Well, Lily knows, and my … friends, but I’m thinking I can start telling the others now.”
He nodded. “You aren’t showing much yet.”
She stretched her scrubs over her belly. “A little.”
He stared at her stomach then looked at her face. “So, Lily… Did you mention my name to her?”
Jade’s smile grew. “No, but I can. Do you want me to?”
“Yeah. I’ll take her out and see how I feel.”
That was the one drawback to Bryan. Sometimes he acted like his opinion was the only one that mattered. For the most part, he was cool with Jade, but she’d seen him act like a bit of a me-monster with some of the other nurses. She hoped Lily got the nice side of him.
“Lily’s a good catch. I think you might like her once you get to know her outside of work.”
“We’ll see. I have specific tastes.”
Ugh. She really didn’t want him going into this with that attitude. “I’ll let you know if she’s interested.”
He chuckled. “Find me when you do.” He glanced at his watch. “I have a patient I need to get back to. Good luck with the … baby.”
“Thanks. See ya.”
As soon as he walked out of the break room, she pulled out her phone and texted Lily.
Hey! What do you think of Dr. Philips?
Bryan Philips? IDK sort of a walking ego. Why?
Jade frowned. So Lily knew him well enough to know his flaws.
I think he’s sort of cute. You should go out with him.
Maybe YOU should if you think he’s that cute. Not my type. He’s too young and a little entitled for my taste.
Okay, maybe his reputation was worse than she realized. He was always nice to her. Little quiet at times, but very attentive whenever she asked him anything. She texted back, asking Lily to just think about it. She hated the idea of her friend being alone over the holidays, which were rapidly approaching. She was happy so she wanted everyone to be happy.
Once Jade stuffed her phone back in her pocket, she bought one more treat from the vending machine as a snack for later. Checking her watch, she chugged the rest of her water, tossed it in the trash, and returned to her shift.
She’d done it. She’d told someone about her pregnancy and the world didn’t crumble into pieces. Perhaps she could finally share her news with her parents.