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I smile at her. “We should do something today.”
“Like what?” She eyes me suspiciously.
“I don’t know.” I laugh. “We’ve both got the day off, so why not spend the day together? Get out of the house. Go somewhere.”
“That does sound good,” she admits.We walk around the city eating ice creams and then walk through the park, hand in hand, just enjoying each other’s company. We even feed a little family of ducks down by the lake, which is kind of cute. Getting to know one another in such a casual, laid-back environment feels great. I love seeing her so open and happy like this, without the stress of work or trying to impress each other.
We sit down on a seat in the middle of the park, opposite her apartment. I watch as she twists her coffee cup in her hands and stares off into the distance. It’s the first time all day where I’ve caught her lost in thought.
“What are you thinking about?” I ask her.
She looks up as if surprised that I noticed her tuning out. She shrugs.
“Just how a month ago I had no idea that you existed.” She looks down at her cup. “I just find that freaky, considering how much I…”
“How much you what?” I smile because I’m pretty sure she was about to admit she likes me.
“How much I like you.”
“I like you too.” I reach for her hand and sit back, a thought hitting me.
“Ever think about the number of times we could’ve almost crossed path before now?” I smile. “I was at his graduation, you know. I’m pretty sure I saw you there.”
“You were?” she says, surprised. “Huh. I guess it’s not surprising that I wouldn’t remember you. I thought you were overseas?”
“I was, but I had just gotten back. I’m not really that memorable,” I tease.
“No, that’s not what I meant…” She narrows her eyes when she realizes I’m baiting her and shakes her head. “I wonder how many other times there were where we could’ve met.”
“It’s like fate wanted us together,” I say. “Even if you didn’t come into my ER, we would have met through Matt. Dinner party or not, I’m sure this would’ve happened eventually.”
She smiles, like my words comfort her, then rests her head on my shoulder.
“Do you really believe in fate?” she asks.
I glance at her. “I guess I don’t really? I’m a doctor. Doesn’t medicine kind of go against the idea that whatever’s going to happen will happen?”
“I guess,” she says. “Or maybe you’re not really changing anything at all. You just think you are.”
“So, our jobs are pointless?” I smirk at her, knowing I’m winding her up.
“No. I just mean… things like your dad dying and my dad… do you think things like that happen for a reason?” I glance at her and shrug, because I don’t know. “Why do bad things happen to good people?” she asks, frowning.
“Does it matter?” I ask gently. “All those things, good and bad, just shape who you are as a person. You wouldn’t be the same without that balance.”
“I guess,” she murmurs.
“Shall we go home?” I suggest.
She nods, and I take her hand in mine as we walk through the park toward her apartment.
While she has a shower, I order some Chinese food. After dinner, we sit on the couch watching TV. She curls up in my arms, relaxed and happy. She looks up at me and grins.
“Slouch on the couch night reinvented,” she says with a giggle.
I groan. “I wish I had no idea what you were talking about, but unfortunately, I’m a victim.”
She straightens up, her eyes widening as she stares at me.
“No way.” She gasps and then shoves me. I chuckle and nod. “When?”
“One night last year,” I say. “Is it strange that I feel like I’m opening up to you about a date rape experience?” I’m only half joking, too. “I felt so dirty after that night. Being forced to sit on that couch with Matt and Annie and watch some Zac Effron movie… I pause and shudder. “It was torture,” I whisper in a shaky voice.
She laughs, her blue eyes sparkling.
“I don’t know whether I find this hysterical or whether I feel betrayed. I feel like Matt and Annie cheated on me.”
She snuggles back up against me. It’s funny when I see the way she and Matt are together, and it makes me jealous. Being an only child, I never got to have that kind of relationship with a sibling. I feel like I missed out on something that I’d never want my own kids to miss out on.
“I wish I had a brother or sister.”
“That’s a random thought.” She glances at me. “I get it, though. I’d be lost without Matt.”
“I hated being an only child,” I admit. “I still do.” She smiles up at me. I smile back and stroke her cheek. “That’s why I want at least three kids,” I continue.
