I chuckle. “I bet.”
As soon as it’s over, I step out. “That’s it! All done.”
Her eyes go straight to Ellie. I hand the elephant back. She clutches her again, burying her face in Ellie’s soft purple side.
Her mom exhales like she’s been holding her breath the entire time. “Thank you.”
“Of course. That’s what I’m here for. And Ellie’s officially an X-ray expert now, so if you ever need to come back, she’ll know what to do.”
That earns me a real smile from both of them.
This is exactly why kids are my favorite. No pretense. No judgment. Just raw, honest feelings and the occasional stuffed elephant negotiation.
Adults… not always so simple. One look at my mascara and they question if I’m fit for my job. It’s annoying.
I walk the girl and her mother back to the exam room, then realize it’s time for lunch.
By the time I reach the cafeteria, I’m starving. Miles and Sophie are already here, sitting at our favorite table. I grab my food and head straight for them. It’s become our thing to meet here whenever our schedules line up. No planning needed.
“Hey,” I say, sliding into the seat.
They both perk up immediately.
“Oh, look who survived another morning,” Sophie teases.
“Barely,” I reply, popping open my carton of milk. “I had to negotiate with an elephant today.”
Miles grins behind his dark blue glasses. “Please tell me that’s not code for something.”
“Oh, it was a very real elephant. She was purple and made of velvet. Her name was Ellie, and let me tell you, there were some intense emotions involved.”
Sophie laughs. “You must be in Pediatrics today?”
“Yup. This whole month, actually.”
“No wonder you look so happy.”
I shrug, but I can’t hide my smile. We can’t all be superheroes to little kids, but lucky me, I get to be one. “She did great too. The poor thing was so scared, but so brave.”
“Kids are like that,” Miles says. “It’s all or nothing. I love working with them.”
“Same. I’ll take their sass over the adults who think I’m personally responsible for their bad day.”
Sophie snorts. “Right. God, some of them can be so awful.”
As travel nurses, Sophie and Miles are only here temporarily. But selfishly, I hope they’ll decide to stick around instead of moving on to their next assignment. Miles probably will, to be with his boyfriend’s chosen family, but Sophie… I don’t know. I’m hoping if Miles stays, she will too. They’re best friends, just like Holden and I are.
I glance at Miles. “So, how are you and Jordan? I haven’t seen the guy since… well, since the last time you tortured him at work.”
Miles smiles instantly. “He’s good. Busy writing his next book. We went to a museum the other day and spent, like, three hours there. Jordan was in heaven.”
Sophie arches a brow. “Three hours at a museum? What are you, like, fifty?”
“Hey! It was a good museum,” he defends.
“Ugh. You two are weird.”
Miles just shrugs. “You’re just jealous.”
