Page 16 of Scrubbing In
I want that version of me, too. I always have. But I’m scared.
To take a risk with Julian when I see how much drama can come from relationships between people in the OR, not to mention the infidelity that goes on, I’m not sure I want to put my heart on the line. I really know nothing about this guy, besides our insane physical attraction, to chance the anguish, stress, and possible heartbreak if I give in.
I say as much to Charlie.
“Then just be open to getting to know him. Observe him, see how he treats people around him, and go from there.”
I hum noncommittally.
Narrowing her eyes but otherwise not acknowledging that I did not agree to her brilliant life advice, she proclaims, “Buck up, buttercup. We’re going out! I think it is just what you need.” With a gleam in her eye, she starts bouncing, and clasps her hands to her chest. “Come on, dinner at Nonna’s?”
The thought of eating the comforting food from Nonna’s right now while washing it down with one of their specialty drinks has my mouth watering. With a small smile, I agree.
“And we are both having a Showgirl,” she declares. Her hands come up, and she's pinching my cheeks in an attempt to lift the corners of my mouth. “The Pop Rock rim might finally bring a real smile to this beautiful face.”
Batting her hands away and feigning annoyance, we head out the door, and I’m once again grateful we both had the same start day that led me to my bestie.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Leena
Entering Osteria della Nonnina,more affectionately referred to as Nonna’s, we are greeted by the comforting scent of simmering aromatic herbs, fresh baked bread, and a warm welcome from the hostess.
“Hey, girls! Will you be dining in the restaurant or going up to the lounge this evening?”
When my brother and sister officially took over managing my family’s restaurant, allowing my parents to relax into retirement, they remodeled the entire building and added an upstairs bar. Mina, my sister, wanted to create a hip destination that would attract a more late night crowd as opposed to the family-friendly vibe of the restaurant. Nonna’s Lounge quickly became a booming social gathering spot, making it an overwhelming success for my siblings.
“Definitely upstairs,” I reply. The main dining room is packed, laughter mixes with the sound of forks clinking against plates. “Looks busy tonight. How’s my brother handling the rush lately? Extra cranky?”
Chuckling, she lowers her voice conspiratorially, “You know he hasn’t been as moody since Mina and Sylvie are both back from maternity leave.”
“Oh, good. We’re gonna head up.”
“Have a good night.”
Passing the staircase, I trail my fingers along the balustrade of the antique railing my sister insisted was needed, but I drop my hand as we head for the elevator because my ankle can’t handle the stairs tonight. I stop and wave when I see my brother coming up the back hall from the restrooms. He gives me a curt head nod and thumbs over his shoulder, letting me know he has to get back in the kitchen. With a short nod, I point and mouth “upstairs” before catching up to Charlie, who is holding the doors open for me.
Once I walk through, I lean against the elevator handrail with a sigh. I’ve been worried about my brother since he didn’t handle it well the first time my sister and her wife took maternity leave. Picking up the slack on the management side really pushed his boundaries of social niceties. It was one of the few times I regretted going into nursing and not the family business as both my siblings chose to do. My dad would have loved to see all of us doing it together, but he never begrudged my choice to pursue nursing like my mom and grandma.
When Mina and Sylvie announced they were having another baby, I was overjoyed for them, but also flooded with concern for Matteo. He assured us he knew what to expect this time, and with the help of the assistant managers, the staff would have no problem handling everything without Mina and Sylvie, since they choose to each take maternity leave separately to delay sending the little one to daycare.
“Matteo hasn’t seemed grumpier than usual at the Sunday family dinners I’ve been to recently,” Charlie says, drawing me from thoughts of my brother.
“I know, but I’ve still been worried about him,” I respond as the elevator doors open and we step into the lounge. The vibe up here is much more moody with a sophisticated ambiance asopposed to the casual and bustling atmosphere downstairs. Soft music drifts through the air, subtle and soothing.
“Well you know how much I love a hot and grumpy chef. Maybe I should offer him a little something to help relieve hisstress,” Charlie goads with a waggle of her brows. She loves to tease me about my brother being hot.
There used to be a little part of me that hoped she was serious, but I know she’s just teasing. Sylvie is a wonderful sister-in-law, and I hope I luck out with whoever my brother ends up with, even if it’s not my best friend. Charlie is locked up tight when it comes to opening her own heart.
My scoff is drowned out by a facetious voice. “Hoping the chef will prepare you aspecialmeal, Charlie?” Dr. John Benson says as he pushes his chair out from a table blocking our access as we move across the room. “I may not be a chef, but I sure enjoy eating.”
Looking over at the larger table Dr. Benson just vacated, I gasp in shock at the group sitting around it. A group of familiar faces from Palmetto Regional are there, but I’m only able to see Julian. He stares right at me with a focus and intensity that is both foreign and unnerving, but . . . exhilarating.
“Aw, Benny. Is the Director of Anesthesia a little hungry? Well here,” she quips back, pretending to rummage around in her purse, “I might have a bag of dicks in my purse to tide you over until your meal gets here.”
The table erupts in laughter, all except for the woman sitting next to Julian. Alisha, the recruiter from this morning, looks appalled. She must have no idea how this NSFW barb is normal teasing banter in the OR, or that Charlie will bust anyone’s balls who gives her shit.
My laugh is delayed because I’m still trying to process seeing Julian again so soon. After escaping Connor’s room thismorning, I’d deluded myself into believing I would be saved from seeing him again until he started working at the hospital.
