CADEN

My right heel hits the mat, activating automated doors opening to the outside world, but I hear Dev calling my name. Pulling my foot back, they shut as he runs to catch me.

Movement, this time in my peripheral vision, makes me glance left where I land on a semi-unfamiliar face. The female doctor who was in the observation room with Myers, sees me, too.

Her eyes narrow.

So do mine.

What is she thinking?

How does she know Myers?

Why is she here?

Dev greets me, “I just heard about the accident. Were you on that?”

Pulling my gaze back to him, I nod once. “Your shift will not compare. Keep an eye on Room 213, would ya? I saved that kid. Oh, and check on the bus driver. The guy was wasted.”

“Is that how he crashed?”

“Not that kind of wasted. It wasn’t his fault. But he thinks he could’ve done something differently. Last I heard he was on a saline drip for stress with Psychiatrics watching him.”

I’m still being inspected like she wants to come over but reluctance is winning.

Is she a new resident?

Dev glances to her, because I’m staring. He shows no recognition whatsoever. The mystery thickens.

Since it’s kind of unavoidable now, she approaches us, navy blue heels clicking up the tile. “You were watching the heart transplant, too, weren’t you?”

I dip my chin. “That’s right.”

“Where is it that you all go after shifts? Out of curiosity.”

“Digby’s.”

Dev thrusts out his hand. “I’m Dev Mangal.”

“Dr. Gwendolyn Partridge, nice to meet you.”

“Like the pear tree?”

She stares at him. “I’ve never heard that before.”

“Uh…trying to commit it to memory. Didn’t mean any offense. I respect you very much, even though we just met. I want you to know that. I think highly of you as a person.”

I grab and hold his coat a second. “Just stop.” Releasing him, I extend my hand and shake hers. “I’m Dr. Cocker. Caden Cocker. And yes, like James Bond. Because I’m that good.”

A smile slowly spreads and she clucks her tongue. “If I wasn’t married! Dr. Myers and I are going out for a drink tomorrow night. Technically later tonight. I think we’ll check out that hangout you mentioned.” She holds my eyes to let me know this information is purposeful. Her heels click away from us.

Dev and I stare for a second, then share a look. His jaw is loose, eyes widening. “Was that code? Did she just invite you to crash their cocktail party for two? Caden, you are not interested in Dr. Myers. Tell me you’re not going there. Tell me you are not that dumb.”

I shrug, “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He follows me out the front door, automatic doors sliding behind us.

“Caden, we’re friends aren’t we?”

Under the passing brightness of high wattage parking lamps, I purse my lips. “Yeah, I guess so. I gave it some thought, and I think that’d be good.”

Dev pauses a beat. “Okay, that’s a little odd. But I’ll take it.” He catches up with me. “So if we’re friends, you have to take my advice. That’s part of the deal. Sometimes your friends see things you do not see because you are too close to the subject and you do not know your ass from a hole in the ground.”

“I don’t think I’d want to know my ass from a—”

“That’s not the point, man!”

“You’re wasting your time, Dev.”

“What was I going to say?” He plants himself in front of Dad’s Escalade. “Because I don’t think you are thinking clearly. And by the way, I love this fucking car. She is way above your pay grade, Caden. And I am not speaking hyperbole here. She is literally above your pay grade. Remember how you told me in no uncertain terms that you don’t want to fuck up, do anything that would send you packing? You turned down late-night baseball.”

I point my finger. “Midnight baseball. Sounds cooler.”

Dev’s arms fly up. “I don’t care how it sounds, you turned it down! Because you were smart! Ambitious! Smart!”

“You already mentioned smart.”

“And that’s just one of the million activities you have shot to the ground because of your dedication to blowing Janet Gilroy away.”

Taking a deep breath, I walk to the passenger door, tossing my bag inside. “You’re right.”

He stares at me. “I am? That’s right, I am! I didn’t expect you to agree with me so quickly. But you do see my point, right? Caden, I get it, I do! Dr. Myers is hot. But the kind of hot that will burn you. You understand what I’m saying?”

My gaze drops to the asphalt. “You’re right. It’s a dumb move.”

Dev gives my shoulder a squeeze of encouragement. He heads away, satisfied he got through to me.

I shout for fun, “Just one romp in the on-call room? Just one?!”

Wagging his hand behind him, he yells, “She’s like a potato chip, man. Better not to open the bag because, before you know it, you’ve got an empty bag and a chip-hangover you’ve gotta hide from the rest of the staff.”

My head rocks back at the weirdness of this guy.

Trouble is, I’m my father’s son, and Jason Cocker is famous for eating things he isn’t supposed to.