Page 80 of Scrubbing In
Freely letting my smile stretch across my face, I gush, “I’m ready for everyone to know he’s mine, too!”
“I’m so happy for you, Mama. But . . . you're not, like . . . going to make me move out, are you?”
Horrified, I look up at her from stirring the pasta into my soup to see her eyes sparkling, teasing me. I decide to one-up her.
Softening my eyes and holding my breath, I will the tears to form. I can tell it’s working by the burning in my nose and moisture gathering quickly along my lashline. “I would never do that, Mama,” I whisper, full of simulated emotion. Blinking to push a tear out, it trails down my cheek.
“Damn it, Leena!” She squeezes her eyes shut and buries her face in her hands. “I seriously hate when you do that. You know it makes me cry, even when I know you’re faking it.”
A gurgling laugh escapes me, and I sniffle. “You deserve it for asking if I was going to make you move out.”
Turning to the island behind me and plucking a tissue from the box, I hand it to her.
Dabbing her eyes, she wails, “You’re the worst best friend ever, Mama.”
“Maybe, but I'm not letting you leave anytime soon. You’re stuck with me.”
“Debatable,” she snarks back.
CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX
Julian
Sittingon the padded chair in front of my open locker, I stare at nothing. My neck and shoulders are tight, my back aches. My entire body could use a good stretch. But I’m too tired.
This has been one of the busiest weeks I’ve had since starting at Palmetto Regional. It feels like Ortho Trauma is the only service being inundated. It’s the only thing I can be thankful for right now because it means Leena isn’t being overworked too.
Even though I’m so tired I debate just spending the night in an on-call room, I want nothing more than to shower this day off, head home, and crawl into bed with my girl.
After a quick but scalding shower, I drag on some joggers and a T-shirt, slip on a hoodie, grab my bag, and then head out.
As I’m walking down the covered employee entrance, someone calls my name ahead. I whip my head up from the text I’m about to send Leena, letting her know I’m on my way home.
Alisha Manning grins at me. “Oh, Ian. This has to be meant to be.”
It’s definitely not the exhaustion making me confused over her statement. She must see my questioning look because she gestures over her shoulder toward the parking lot.
“I was working late, and now my car won’t start. I was heading in to see if someone from security could help me.” She pauses for a moment before smiling. “But, maybe you’d be able to.”
Looking back and forth between her and the building, inwardly sighing, I nod my head. “Sure, no problem. Where are you parked? I’m in the physician lot.” I would much rather go straight home, but I don’t want to be rude or make this woman’s evening harder.
Smiling gratefully, she tells me, “Almost all the way in the back.”
I see a lone vehicle in the distance where she’s pointing. Gesturing to mine that is almost in front, I suggest, “Let me drive you.”
“Aren’t you the sweetest,” she simpers.
She gets in the vehicle, angling her body against the door, and watches me. The short drive to her car is frankly too long. Quickly jumping out, I grab the jump box and move towards her car. In the beams of my headlights, I can see her hood is already popped and I only need to lift it, allowing the hydraulic struts to keep it open.
“I’m sure you look good in surgery, but you play a mighty fine mechanic.” The words float to me on the night breeze. I feel nothing at her attempt at a sultry voice.
I release an awkward laugh, then tune out her chatter and blatant appreciative gaze. It takes mere moments to get her car roaring to life.
“Alright, done,” I say, and she claps excitedly.
Impatiently, I coil up the cables and slam the hood closed with one hand. Alisha moves alongside me to the back of my SUV as I tuck the jump box away and press the button to close the hatch. Reluctantly, I shift to look at her.
“You’re a lifesaver, Ian. Like my real life hero.” She flashes me a playful and inviting smile.
