Page 21 of Strictly Against Policy

Lina was uncharacteristically quiet today. Her mouth may not do much talking, but her presence always made itself known, demanding every bit of my attention. But today was different, despite it being a Monday. She wasn’t the same.

Out of the corner of my eyes, I watched her as she sorted and placed our orders away. The unusual sight of bags and dark circles adorned the skin under her eyes. Her movements were slow and delicate, unlike her standard quick and sharp demeanor. She even breathed differently, with constant deep breaths.

What was going on with Lina Lee?

“Dr. Lo,” called out a familiar voice.

I peered in its direction and found my brother-in-law standing at our pickup window with a wide grin. He never had a hair out of place, and his dress shirts and ties were crisp whenever I saw him on a workday. The heavy tan overcoat he had on had sprinklings of raindrops more on one shoulder than the other.

“Where’s your wife, sir?” I asked, approaching with my warm customer-service smile.

Carmen laughed as she stepped away from the counter. I had time to chat since Andy came in right after the mid-afternoon rush. Thankfully, it was slow right now. He tipped his head in the direction of our restroom.

“She’s busy,” he answered.

I snorted. “Busy relieving herself every five minutes,” I corrected. “I bet we’re just another emergency pit stop along your way home again, huh?”

The last time my older sister, Julie, and Andy were here, it was because the pharmacy was the halfway point between her OB-GYN and their home. The two of them got married early last year. And now my family and the Hughes were patiently waiting to welcome the first grandchild of the family.

Andy shook his head, laughing. “That’s my pregnant wife you’re talking about.”

As if on cue, my older sister stepped out of the restroom. She sighed as she rounded the corner of the hallway. Although she was only in her second trimester, she was already waddling with her thick layers of sweaters and overcoat.

“Sweetheart, I’m probably going to need to use the restroom again before we leave,” she said to Andy.

His eyes twinkled in amusement. “That’s alright, Tink.”

Before those two lovebirds assumed they were the only two people in this world, I cleared my throat. “Our restroom is strictly for patients and staff only, ma’am,” I reminded the two of them. “If you or your husband aren’t here to give us business, I suggest you two take your leave.”

Julie narrowed her eyes. She scoffed. “You are such an⁠—”

Andy interrupted his wife with a soft chuckle. “I’m actually here to pick up a prescription.”

My eyebrows probably rose to my hairline from the surprise. My brother-in-law was a young, athletic, and healthy man. In the few months he and Julie had moved back to Sunset Valley from the big city, I’d never seen him here once for a pick up.

Whether it was for a prescription for a generic pain reliever, antibiotic, or even vitamins, I’d never seen him come in for anything unless it was for a flu vaccination. Hell. This man didn’t even get fucking sick four months ago when we all randomly came down with a cold.

If anything happened to him, my sister would be devastated. I watched my mom grieve my dad’s death. I wouldn’t be able to watch my sister suffer through losing Andy.

He observed me with curious hazel green eyes, still smiling. “Why do you look so concerned, Dr. Lo? I’m just here to get vitamin D3 pills. According to my recent blood work, I need them due to the constant overcast this winter.”

“If anything happened to you, I wouldn’t know what to do with Julie,” I quipped pointedly, trying to conceal my worry.

Julie and Andy turned to each other with wide eyes and grins. They shared a chuckle. Then, she leaned on the counter. “Jonathan, just tell me you love me next time.” She said it low enough just for me to hear as a phone call came in.

My team behind me was busy, but I knew they heard most of our conversation. Sheryl and Carmen stifled a laugh behind me. My face flushed as Julie announced she was going to sit. Her petite frame waddled almost comically to a chair in our waiting area.

Andy’s expression softened with a gentle grin. “Aside from me picking up my prescription, did you want to have lunch with us?”

I shrugged. “I only have thirty minutes.”

Andy looked over at Julie with a big grin. “What are you craving for lunch, Tink?”

“Mediterranean,” she smiled. “Did you want to come with us?”

I looked at Andy. “You paying?”

“Aren’t you the pharmacist?” he asked, raising a brow at me.