Cameron’s eyebrows lifted. “Her friends, too?”
“Yeah.” I felt a little sheepish. I always used to say no when Lina invited me out with her group. I only ever wanted to hang out with her. “I think it’s time for a change.”
There was surprise in his eyes, but also something tender. He was genuinely happy for me. “That’s a big step for you.”
“Yes,” I said, glancing down. “I think it’s time I had some fun.”
“I agree,” he said softly. “I’m really happy for you.”
My cheeks warmed. It felt like, in some way, I was admitting that the way I’d been living all these years wasn’t working, and now I was finally trying to change.
“I can pick you up and drive you home if you want.” He offered, his smile stretched wider. “Just call me if you need me.”
I needed to think about that more carefully. Because the truth was, I still spent more time with him than with anyone else. It didn’t really feel like we were separated, not when he was still so present in my life.
“I’ll let you know,” I said. “But don’t wait up for me.”
He nodded but didn’t say anything.
“Have you had lunch yet?” I asked, remembering how often he skipped meals. I’d checked his surgery schedule earlier, and it was packed. I wasn’t even sure how he had time to be here, let alone stand around talking to me.
“Not yet,” he said. “Don’t have the time. I’ve only got about seven minutes to spare.”
“Then why are you here talking to me?” I asked, genuinely confused. “You should go grab something to eat.”
“Later,” he said, already starting to turn, probably rushing to his next surgery. Then he paused and looked back. “I just needed to see you.”
Something softened in his expression, like he wanted to say more but stopped himself.
He turned fully. “Gotta go, Sloane. Have fun tonight.”
It was a nice Japanese restaurant, and I sat at the end of the table with Lina and three of her friends: Christina, Jane, and Amber. I didn’t know them, but Lina was quite close to them. I trusted Lina wouldn’t invite someone she didn’t trust. Still, I could feel how stiff my shoulders were from trying to act normal. I was grateful Lina had seated me beside her. Her presence gave me just enough comfort to stay put.
It was strange, really. I worked in a hospital, surrounded by people every day, but somehow this felt entirely different. Sittinghere, trying to follow casual conversations with strangers, made me feel like I was on shaky ground.
They talked about shows I hadn’t watched, places I’d never been, people I didn’t know. All of them kept trying to loop me in by offering quick explanations, asking for my opinion, and gently nudging me into the rhythm of their chatter. I appreciated it, even if all I could manage was a slight nod or a quiet smile.
I didn’t know how to be relaxed. Not yet. But I was trying.
“So, Sloane,” Amber began. She was the chattiest of the four, and I could tell she was trying to include me. I braced myself. “Tell me about yourself. I want to know more about you.”
I tensed, and I could feel Lina tense beside me, too. For a moment, I wondered if I’d made a mistake, that maybe I wasn’t ready for this. But I took a breath and pushed through. I was trying, trying to move past fear, the insecurities, the instinct to shut down. Because I wanted to get better, and that had to start somewhere.
“I’m a doctor. Internal medicine,” I said after clearing my throat. I could feel Lina’s gaze on me, like she was waiting to see if I’d say something sharp or look for a way out of the conversation.
“I have a daughter. She’s almost six now. And...” I swallowed. “I just got divorced.”
I glanced at Lina. She looked surprised, like she hadn’t expected me to say it out loud. I gave her a smile that probably looked more like a grimace, trying to tell her silently that I’d reached my limit. More questions about myself would only make my head spin. And Lina—this was why she was my best friend—understood right away. She didn’t press. Instead, she smoothly shifted the conversation, rescuing me without making a scene.
“She’s gorgeous and she’s a doctor,” Lina said with a grin. “Honestly, I get jealous sometimes. But she’s too nice to hate, so I let it slide.”
“Lina said you’ve been friends for a long time?” Jane asked, the softest among them.
“Since we were fifteen,” I answered.
That’s when it hit me. Lina had been my friend for what felt like forever, and yet she didn’t really know me. Not the whole picture. She didn’t know what things were like at home or what happened with Xander. I’d kept it from her. From everyone. I trusted her, and still, I never told her. Even now, she didn’t know. And she didn’t know the whole story with Cameron either.
Why the hell was she continuing to be friends with me, fully knowing I always kept her at arm’s length? I couldn’t wrap my mind around it.
