Page 85 of You Loved Me Once
“The one thing they fail to talk about in med school,” I laugh. “It’s really such a pain in the ass.”
“Yet another reason I love my specialty,” she smirks.
“Yeah, yeah, whatever. How are you? Sorry I bailed on drinks yesterday,” I say while putting the pen down.
“It’s fine.” She pops a grape into her mouth. “Martina came, we drank, ate an inhuman amount of food, and she went home with some guy. Did you work late?”
I tap the pen against the table. “No, I was with Westin.”
She leans forward. “You blew off beer dip for your boyfriend?”
“I did.”
“Well,” she sinks back with her arms crossed over her chest. “Look who finally got her shit straight.” Julie looks all too pleased. “I was hoping this day would come. I feel like my little girl is growing up.”
“Whatever.”
“So, things are good?” she asks.
“They really are. Thank you, Jules. Seriously, thank you.”
She tilts her head and purses her lips. “What for?”
It was after she was a good enough friend to be honest with me that I was able to see my life clearly. She really pushed me out of my head, and that is what helped me truly face my feelings for Westin, and trust him with my heart.
“For being who you are. Even when I don’t want to hear things, you’re always honest. If you hadn’t made me face facts, I would’ve kept pushing him away because it’s all I’ve ever done.” I clasp her hand.
“I’m really happy for you. Westin clearly loves you, and guys like him don’t come around often.”
I nod. “I know. I’m just trying to hold onto it for as long as I can.”
Julie’s head turns and she looks confused. “What does that mean?”
Shit. I can’t tell her the truth because that would lead to more questions about what I did, and I don’t know if Julie could get tangled in the mess since the meds were kept in her lab. Oh, God. I feel sick.
“Just that guys get bored once there’s no chase.” I try to sound humorous, but it comes out strangled.
“You’re an idiot, but I love you anyway. I need to get back to work. Don’t flake on me next week.” She gets to her feet, pops another grape into her mouth, and walks out the door.
Once I’m alone again, I wipe my sweaty palms on my pants, and close the files. My momentary lapse in judgment could affect so many people. I didn’t think, and it’s too late to do anything now.
I grab the charts, no longer having the mental capacity to do them, and drop them off at the nurses’ station. I have about twenty minutes before I will get the scan results of my trial patients, and then I’ll visit each one.
Deep breaths, Serenity.
As I make my way to the cafeteria, I turn the corner and slam into someone. “Shit!”
“Sorry!” the deep voice says. “I was in a rush...”
I look up, knowing who it is, and release a heavy sigh. “It’s fine, Bryce.”
“Chick, wait,” he grabs my wrist as I’m starting to walk away.
“I really need to go,” I tug my hand out of his grasp.
My stomach doesn’t drop and no butterflies flutter at his touch. Instead, I notice that it’s not warm, like Westin. Bryce feels cold and rough, and I don’t like the cold anymore.
“I know, it’ll just take a minute.”
