Page 3 of (Not Really) Faking It With My Best Friend's Brother

As I walked over to turn the door sign around to closed, my heart quickened at the thought of my witty, mystery-loving match. Baxter, trotting contentedly beside me, seemed to pick up on my mood. He looked up at me with encouragement in his soft brown eyes.

A renewed sense of purpose filled my steps. Lightness replaced the once-familiar weight of routine, and hope bloomed within me like a fragile flower. I was really doing this—I was stepping into the unknown, embracing the potential for love and adventure. Today was the day that I sprouted wings and climbed out of my cocoon. What would come next? I didn’t know. But for the first time in a long while, I was excited to find out.

Chapter two

Nate

The rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor greeted me as I walked into the ICU room of my first patient. Mrs. Clarke, a frail woman in her late 70s, lay sleeping, her wispy white hair splayed across the pillow. I smiled softly, picking up her chart and reviewing the notes from the night shift nurses.

Meticulous as always.

After adjusting her IV drip and taking her vitals, I headed down the hall to continue my rounds. This was my morning ritual - arriving an hour before my shift to check on my most critical patients. I took pride in giving them my full attention.

By mid-morning, I was in full swing, engrossed in care coordination.

"Dr. Reynolds?" Nurse Amy approached, a concerned look on her face. "Mr. Franklin's oxygen levels dropped again last night. I upped his oxygen flow, but he's still struggling."

I nodded, my mind already jumping ahead. "Let's get a chest x-ray stat and call respiratory for a consult. I want to rule out pneumonia."

Amy smiled, relief flooding her face. "Of course, I'll take care of it."

As she walked away, I couldn't resist a little grin. This was exactly why I became a doctor - to spread hope and healing. My patients expected me to be sharp and ready, and I loved nothing more than being their dependable rock in times of need.

I was in the middle of reviewing lab results for my next patient when a familiar voice interrupted my focus.

"Hey, Nate." I turned to find Ethan, a fellow doctor and close friend I’d known since residency, standing behind me with a grin. "You look like you could use a break."

"I'd love to, but..." I hesitated, glancing at the remaining files. There was still so much to do, so many patients that needed my care.

"Come on!" He pleaded and shot me his famous puppy dog eyes, knowing I couldn’t resist. "Just a quick break, and then you can get back to saving the world."

"Fine, I could use a sandwich and some coffee," I relented with a smile, feeling the exhaustion settling deep within my bones. "But just a quick one."

"Deal," Ethan agreed, leading the way to the hospital cafeteria. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee greeted us as we entered, the chatter of hospital staff mingling with the clatter of trays and dishes.

Ethan grabbed a green tea—his latest health kick—while I opted for a black coffee and a BLT sandwich with avocado. We walked over to our usual table.

"Thanks for dragging me out of there," I admitted to Ethan as I took a bite of my sandwich. "I didn't realize how much I needed this."

"Anytime," he responded, his eyes filled with genuine concern. "I know how dedicated you are to your patients, but you can't take care of them if you're running on empty."

He was right, of course. As much as I loved my job, I knew that I needed to find a balance between my work and my own well-being.

"Speaking of taking care of yourself," Ethan had a mischievous glint in his eye, and I had an idea where this conversation was headed. "How's your love life these days?"

I took a long sip of coffee. "Oh, you know. Same old routine."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Come on, man. You've gotta get out there and have some fun! When's the last time you went on a date?"

I shifted uncomfortably. The truth was my dating life had been nonexistent lately. I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling a mix of embarrassment and resignation.

"Well, actually, I did do something kind of crazy the other night."

Ethan's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Oh? Do tell."

I hesitated, wondering if I should share this. But Ethan was my closest friend, and he wasn’t going to stop hounding me, so I might as well spill the beans.

"I, uh, signed up for one of those dating apps. It's called 'Find a Mate on a Blind Date.'"

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