Page 16 of Hard Hat Hottie

“It’s okay. He couldn’t help it. I’m going to see if I have anything in my locker to change into.” Stepping away, it dawns on me that it wasn’t that long ago a drunk tourist did something similar, and I groan.

Opening the green metal locker in the changing room, my head drops to my chest as I discover I’m correct. I can’t believe I forgot to bring another pair of scrubs after the last incident. Looking down, I notice my pants are unscathed, but I nearly gag when I take in my top covered in green bile.

As luck would have it, Sadie and Shay come in to check on me.

“Harlow,” Shay gasps.

“I’m trying not to cry. I don’t have a change of clothes. I forgot to bring another set after the last time this happened.”

“I’m sure Gretchen could get some for you.”

“The last time we tried that, I had to wear the soiled clothes for what seemed like hours until the nursing supervisor could find some in the OR. We’re already short staffed. And if I have to keep smelling this, I’m going to add another layer of puke on top of this one.”

“Oh, babe. I might have something,” Sadie says as she moves to her locker.

“Sadie, I couldn’t fit one boob in your top.” She’s so small. Mighty, but small.

“Wait. I think I have something in my car. I forgot I went to the beach and brought a shirt to change into if we went to dinner afterward. But we ended up going straight home,” Shay exclaims. “You just wait here. I’ll let Gretchen know I’m running to the car to get it.”

“Oh, thank you, Shay. You’re a lifesaver.”

Ten minutes later, I stare at myself in the bathroom mirror, swallowing hard and pinching my lips into a narrow line at the sight.This is utterly ridiculous.Wearing a Backstreet Boys croptop and these black scrub pants, I look like I belong in a ninety’s music video, not an emergency room.

As I make my way back to my assigned station, my cheeks turn pink at the laughter emanating from every nurses’ station I pass.

“Gretchen. Is there any chance I can check my car to see if I have a lab coat or a sweater?” I ask, mortified. Like I’d have a sweater in my car.I live in Florida.But I’m desperate for a miracle. And it’s Candy Cane Key. If ever there was a place for a Christmas miracle, it’s here.Right?

“Yes, of course.” My ever professional, favorite charge nurse turns her face away from me, holding her sides as she bursts out laughing.

“Not funny.”

“Go on, sweets. I’ll cover until you get back. And if you can’t find anything, I’ll lend you mine.”

“Thank you,” I shout as I turn in search of my car keys. Gretchen probably wears a size 2X, but I’d take her lab coat over walking around with this crop top on display for the next eleven hours.

Harrison

“Sorry, dude. You missed her.”

I turn to see Gino shrugging his shoulders at me.Sheesh, does everyone know?

Vincent snickers loudly behind him.

“What?”

“Oh, man. Watching you with this girl is like having built in entertainment on the job.” He howls.

“Fuck off, Vince.”

“Just try and deny it,” Gus pipes in.

“Would you three hens get back to work?” I blurt, unsure if I’m more aggravated at them or the fact I got here late again. The thought has barely escaped me when a flash of something beneath us steals my attention.

Walking to the edge of the scaffolding, I peer over just in time to see a brown-haired beauty running to the shuttle stop in front of the ER. Her back is to me, her wavy tresses flying behind her, but once I catch sight of the silvery gray arm tattoo, I know it’s her.

She doesn’t look up, but crosses her arms in front of her. Something seems off. I lean forward, squinting to take her in as the platform sways.

What is she wearing?

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