Page 44 of Counting the Stars

Gabby

My foot taps nervously as I hover over the printer, waiting for the discharge papers for one of my patients to print.

“What’s going on?” Marissa swivels in her seat to look at me.

“Huh?” I press a few buttons, hoping the machine didn’t jam.

“You’ve seemed distracted all day.”

“Is it that noticeable?” I worry that I made a mistake or did something wrong.

“No.” Marissa shakes her head. “Nothing bad. You’ve just had your head in the clouds ever since the firefighters stopped in earlier.”

Ah yes, the firefighters that volunteer to visit with patients and hand out stuffed animals to the kids. It’s so sweet to see a young patient’s eyes light up when they see a real firefighter has come to spend time with them. They act like they’ve been visited by actual superheroes, and in a way, they have been.

Three of the guys from the department showed up today, and of course, Alex was one of them. It was the first time I’d seen him since I poured my heart out to him the other day. The moment we locked eyes, my nerves got the best of me and I dropped a cup of ice I was bringing a patient. He just smiled with those dimples of his and helped me clean it up.

“Grab the papers.” Marissa points to the glitchy printer that’s spitting out the forms I need.

“Ah, sorry.” I pick up the papers and start putting them in order. “When the guys were here earlier, Alex pulled me off to the side and asked me to have dinner with him tonight.”

“And…you’re not hungry?” Marissa looks at her watch, well aware our shift will be over soon.

“I’m just nervous to go out with him.” My coworker blinks at me like I sprouted a third eye, so I decide to elaborate. “We hang out a lot, but I feel like this time, he’s thinking it might be a date.”

“You lost me.” Marissa stands and stretches. “I thought you two have been dating for a while.”

“You’re kidding.” I drop my papers again.

“No.” She hands me a stapler. “I’ve seen you together plenty of times here and around town. Rumor has it that Alex hasn’t been with anyone in ages. I think everyone just assumed you two were an item.”

“Get out of here.” People think Alex and I are already a couple? Good thing no one from work witnessed that awful date with Josh. What would they think then? Thankfully, I have not seen or heard from Dr. Payne since that crazy night. His name doesn’t even show up in the hospital database, leading me to believe that there was indeed some type of malpractice suit.

“I’m serious.” Marissa places a hand on her hip while she looks me up and down. “Quite frankly, I’ve been waiting for a wedding invitation.”

“Oh my gosh! I’m not. We’re not. I-I don’t know what we are.”

“Well, whatever.” Marissa shrugs. “Get your booty out of here and go have a meal with that man. Don’t worry about putting a label on whatever good thing you two have got going. Just enjoy it. Some of us would pay to have what you do.”

“Thanks.” I finish discharging my patient while mulling over Marissa’s words. She’s right. I need to worry less about putting a label on us. What Alex and I have is special, and even though Aly has done her best to keep me occupied these past few days, I’m really looking forward to spending time with my favorite person tonight.

Once I get home, I enlist my roomie, the fashionista of our group, to help me pick out the perfect outfit for tonight. I want something that’s a little nicer than my usual wear but still casual in case Alex is not considering this a date. Basically, I don’t want to be under or overdressed.

“Should I go with the purple or the blue?” I hold up two shirts for Michelle to study. I’m still on pins and needles anticipating this evening and can’t wait to go out at the same time. Go figure.

“The blue. It reminds me of Alex’s eyes.” She was elated when I asked her to help me pick out an outfit for tonight. “Are you sure this is a date?”

“I have no idea.” I walk into the bathroom but keep the door cracked open so I can talk to my roommate. “He told me he wouldn’t push me into anything, but then he asked me out.”

“But that’s not unusual. You two go out all the time. It could be just as friends.”

“Exactly.” I walk back out and twirl for Michelle to study my outfit. “When I told Marissa about tonight, she told me that she thought Alex and I have been dating for a while.”

“I can see that.” Michelle pokes through my jewelry box and hands me a pair of earrings. “Everyone who lives here knows that you two are very good friends, but to someone on the outside? It probably does look like you two are a couple.”

“Hello.” Alex’s voice carries from the hallway.

“I’ll be out in a second.” I put my earrings in and walk into the living room.

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