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“See you later,” Liam calls after me, but I don’t bother replying as I rush to the break room, determined to get a fast drink with the girls so they won’t be able to accuse me of constantly bailing on them.
Jessica and Melissa are the only human friends I allow myself to have, but even those friendships come with restrictions. Most of the time, I’m trying to hang out with them at work and keep the conversation far away from my personal life. It’s not like I can explain to them over drinks all about how I participated in a ritual worshipping our Earth goddess for last week’s new moon.
“There she is,” Jessica announces when I enter the break room.
She and Melissa are already wearing their street clothes, and they even grabbed my purse out of my locker. I can’t blame them for trying to speed things up to keep me from changing my mind.
“My coat—” I start, but Melissa steps forward and gently pulls my white robe off my shoulders.
“Dr. O’Donnell said he’d take it to the locker room,” Melissa tells me, setting it on the chair. I frown but don’t object, figuring that the sooner we get to the Base Club, the sooner I can go home.
I follow the girls through the hospital’s back entrance. I’m careful where I step as I cross the street, painfully aware that this isn’t the cleanest area. As doctors, we get some sort of unwritten protection, and the Base Club isn’t as bad as it seems at first glance. The establishment has indeed seen better days, which were probably fifty years ago, but there’s something chic about it that still attracts a decent crowd.
Melissa takes my hand, as if to make sure that I’m still with them. I give her a small smile, hoping to reassure her that I won’t leave before I get at least one drink. I like to keep my word whenever I can, and this seems like an easy one.
Jessica waves in greeting to some people who are leaning against the side of the building. With my face still schooled in a polite expression, I follow her gaze. Though I find some of them familiar, it’s hard to place them, especially because there’s always such a flurry of movement in the hospital. People come and go, and most of the time, while I notice them, I don’t actually see them.
We enter through the door underneath the flashy neon sign, going straight to the basement where the Base Club is. Thanks to the weekend, the club is quite full.
“See if you can find us a table while I get drinks,” Jessica says above the music.
Melissa and I nod, then turn in the direction opposite the bar where she’s going. We make our way through the dense areas until we reach the far corner nearest to the bathroom. It’s usually rather empty back in this area because it is so far away from the bar.
We claim a table that’s been used as a dumping spot. I stay put while Melissa grabs the empty glasses and carries them toward the bar. As I’m left alone, I take a moment to give the bar stools a little wipe before I sit on one and allow myself to relax as much as the lively atmosphere lets me.
In truth, the music isn’t too loud, meaning that we can hold a meaningful conversation without having to yell too much. The Base Club is a popular spot for all ages, its shadiness is brought down several notches by the fact that some off-duty cops also like to come around. It is where different lifestyles meet and merge into one.
Melissa and Jessica return together, carrying drinks. I nod in thanks when Jessica gives me mine.
“A toast,” Melissa says, holding up her glass of beer. Jessica and I do the same, pressing our glasses together. “To the girl’s night that has been long overdue.”
“Hear, hear!” Jessica laughs.
I shake my head ever so slightly and smile. “Cheers.”
I take a sip of my pale ale, then carefully wipe the foam above my lip while listening to Jessica tell us her wild story about how some poor guy jumped through the window and impaled himself on his fence.
“The firefighters had to bring the fence in with him and had to join us in the OR to take it out seconds before we operated on him,” Jessica concludes, an excited smile on her face. “It was crazy. The guy’s lucky to be alive.”
“Moral of the story,” I say, lifting my glass up again. “Use the front door.”
Melissa and Jessica laugh, clinking their glasses with mine. We go around, exchanging hospital battle stories. Before I know it, I’m on my second glass. I need this girl’s night as much as I need my sleep. I’m off for two days, so staying another hour here shouldn’t affect me too much.
Melissa raises her arm and waves above the crowd. “It’s Liam!”
I groan, resisting the urge to bury my face in my hands. I’d completely forgotten that he planned on coming. Jessica and Melissa are big fans of him, just like I used to be, until he started flirting with me.
“You’re so lucky,” Jessica tells me, her eyes locked on Liam’s tall frame as he pushes through the crowd. “He’s so hot.”
“His blue eyes are like the deepest ocean,” Melissa croons, actually fanning her face with her hand. “His blonde curls and tan body make him look like a surfer.”
“I know, right?” Jessica agrees, nodding wildly. “All he needs is an Australian accent.”
“I’ll admit that he’s easy on the eyes and smart,” I tell them with a slight roll of my eyes.
“What’s the problem then?” Melissa challenges. “It’s clear that he likes you.”
“Just give him a chance,” Jessica urges, then changes the topic because he’s here. “So nice of you to join us.”
