Page 73 of What Should Have Been Ours

I know she feels it, but one of us has to be the first to say it.

I’m still lost in that thought when Wes drops down onto the bench beside me in the lounge, dramatically sighing.

“You ever notice how our shifts feel ten years longer when we have to actually do work?” he complains.

I grunt, taking another swig of water. “Shut up, you literally just had a break an hour ago.”

“Yeah, a break where you spent most of the time talking to Gabrielle with that annoying love-sick expression on your face and not paying me any attention,”

I roll my eyes, stretching my arms behind my head. “Why are you paying that much attention to my face, Wes?”

“Because it’s all in my face and I feel neglected,” he says, crossing his arms. “But, how are you and Vida The Vet doing anyway?”

I raise a brow. “Vida the what?”

“That little redhead girl with the big tiger and hippo on TV.” He waves a hand. “You know what I’m talking about. Anyway, what’s the update? Have you stopped being a chicken and consummated the relationship yet?”

I actually snort. “I have no clue what you’re talking about. I don’t watch children’s TV shows in my spare time. As a matter of fact, why are you?” I shake my head, laughing at how ridiculous this grown man is sometimes. “Also, I don’t kiss and tell.”

Wes looks fully offended now. “Oh, don’t make me sound like a weirdo. The kids always have that show on in the waiting room, and sometimes I get pulled into the plot. And really? I have to watch you two shove your tongues down each other’s throats every chance you get lately. As hot as it is to watch, the whole kissing and telling thing is out of the equation at this point.”

I shake my head, “You’re…really strange, you know that?”

Before he can fire back, my phone rings.

I glance at the screen. It’s my doctor’s office.

I pick up, answering casually. “This is Cameron.”

“Hey, Dr. Hayes, just calling with the test results from your check-up last week.”

I lean forward, pressing my elbows to my knees. “Yeah?”

“All your scans were clear, and your labs look good. Nothing concerning that we see.”

I exhale, letting the tension in my chest ease. “That’s good to hear.”

The doctor gives me the usual spiel—keep up with my regular check-ups, call if anything changes, etc, etc. By the time I hang up, Wes is watching me closely.

“Well?” he asks.

I nod. “All clear.”

A grin spreads across his face. “Good.”

He claps a hand on my shoulder, squeezing. “‘Cause you’re not allowed to leave me. You’re my only best friend. I think I’d actually shed a tear if you weren’t around.”

I snort. “A singular tear, huh? I thought what we had meant more to you.”

Wes leans back, stretching out his legs. “Yeah—you’re pretty alright, I guess. But hey, I hear you’re going to that fancy work event with Gabrielle.”

I nod. “Yeah, her clinic is having an event—wait, how do you know that?”

Wes grins. “Kinsley texted me telling me I was going with her.”

I laugh. “Telling you, huh?”

“Yep.” He nods. “I love how bossy she is.”