Page 38 of Night Shift

The table erupted in laughter.

Bethany pretended to ponder Jack’s question, tapping her chin. “Hmm, I’ll have to conduct a thorough investigation and report back.”

Marissa laughed, shaking her head. “Please, Beth, spare us the details.”

The conversation flowed seamlessly from one topic to the next. The Friendsgiving dinner was a lively affair, the kind of gathering I hadn’t realized I’d been missing out on until I was right in the middle of it. The restaurant buzzed with an inviting energy, and our table was in the perfect spot for both people-watching and intimate conversation. Soon, the server took our orders and delivered our drinks. The girls all got margaritas while the guys had Dos Equis.

Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t register that Marissa was making some sort of toast until she shouted, “Cheers!” We all clinked our glasses together before taking sips of our drinks. The atmosphere was light and fun, and I was grateful for these newfound friends who had made me feel so welcome.

Bethany, always the life of the party, was in her element, bouncing between stories about some of our more eccentric patients and teasing Marissa about her new profile on Hinge. With her quick wit and infectious laugh, Marissa volleyed back with her own playful jabs. Their banter was a highlight of the evening.

Caleb was charming as well. He had a natural storytelling ability that had us all laughing. His tales from the fire station, which ranged from heartwarming to downright hilarious, added a different flavor to the conversation than our medical-centric stories.

Jack was more reserved tonight but had a dry sense of humor that always caught me off guard in the best way. At one point, he shared a story about a particularly bizarre ED incident that had us all in stitches.

The conversation soon shifted to plans for the upcoming holiday season. We shared stories about our traditions, or, in most cases, the lack thereof. It was comforting to know I wasn’t the only one without family nearby.

The food was delicious. We’d ordered an array of appetizers and main dishes that were a mix of your typical Mexican fare and some more adventurous choices. We all shared, passing plates, each of us trying a bit of everything.

Throughout the evening, I found myself opening up more than I had in a long time. There was something about the combination of good food, great company, and lots of laughter that made it easy to forget my usual insecurities. We talked about everything from our favorite TV shows to our aspirations both within and outside of our careers.

When dessert arrived, Bethany brought up the topic of dating. The conversation quickly turned into a hilarious exchange of dating-app disasters and blind-date blunders. Even I chimed in with a story about the guy I’d dated in college, though I carefully steered clear of mentioning anything about Atticus.

“Hey, Sam,” Bethany said suddenly, leaning across the table and waving a forkful of cake for emphasis. “Have you thought about who you’re taking as your date to the hospital’s annual holiday party next week? It’s a fancy-schmancy gala they throw every year to say thank you for all our hard work.”

The question caught me off guard. “Uh, honestly, I hadn’t really considered it,” I said, my cheeks heating up. “I mean, I saw the announcement about the gala, and I have that night off, but I didn’t think I’d go.”

“Are you kidding?” Marissa asked, her dark curls bouncing as she shook her head. “Girl, you need a night out to let loose and have some fun! Plus, it’s a great opportunity to mingle with the higher-ups.”

“Exactly,” Jack added, propping his elbows on the table and clasping his hands together. I couldn’t help but notice how his tight T-shirt showcased his muscular arms. “You never know who you might meet, or what doors this event could open for you.”

“All right, all right,” I conceded, smiling at their enthusiasm. “I’ll think about going to the gala, but I don’t even have a date.”

“Who needs a date?” Bethany said, smiling. “Just come and enjoy yourself!”

“Yeah, don’t worry about it,” Jack reassured me, glancing around Caleb to see me better. “We’ve got your back. We’ll help you find someone awesome to go with.”

“Speaking of dates,” I ventured hesitantly, “do any of you know who Dr. Thorin is taking?”

“Dr. Thorin?” Bethany asked, her brow furrowing. “Yeah, I heard he’s taking Dr. Vanessa Sinclair. She’s an OB-GYN who works in the office building next to the hospital. She’s drop-dead gorgeous too. Why do you want to know?”

My stomach churned at the mention of Atticus’s beautiful date. I shouldn’t care, but my heart ached at the thought of seeing him with someone else. “No reason really. It’s just that…you know, he’s got a certain reputation, and after what you told me a while back, I was just curious.”

But I was a terrible liar and couldn’t hide the fact that the news had bothered me.

“Hey,” Marissa said, turning her head to the side and giving me a concerned look. “You okay?”

“Uh, yeah,” I stammered, trying to shake off my feelings. “I’m fine. Just tired from work, I guess.”

“Let’s change the subject then,” Bethany suggested. “What do you think you might wear to the gala?”

“Oh God, I have no idea. I don’t own any party dresses,” I said, cringing inwardly as I pictured the price tag of a fancy dress.

Marissa took a sip of her margarita and said, “Then tomorrow you’re coming over to my place, and I’ll fix you up. I was in a big sorority in college and have a ton of dresses I only wore once.” After taking a big bite of her tres leches cake, she turned toward Bethany. “Hey, I’ve got a great idea. How about the three of us plan on getting ready together before the gala and then all ride together to the hotel? We can have a blast getting all glammed up and pregaming.”

As we finished up dessert, Bethany glanced toward the dance floor with a mischievous grin. “Okay, guys, dinner’s over, but the night’s just getting started! Who’s up for dancing?” She stood up with a flourish and headed that way.

Caleb chuckled and rose from his seat. “You don’t have to ask me twice,” he said, offering his hand to Marissa. “Let me show you how it’s done?”

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