Page 5 of See Through

“Because without me, you’d be working twelve hours of horror instead of fun.” He slaps me on the shoulder.

I can’t help but laugh. “Why don’t we spend some time talking about your dating life instead of mine?”

“Oh, is that what you call pining over your best friend for years? You haven’t dated anyone since I’ve known you, and she has—or did you forget about the boyfriend you despised?”

Even the mention of him has my blood boiling. “All done. I’m coming in.”

I smack the button to open the door, the rush of cold air hitting me in the face.

“You made it.”

“Didn’t think I would,” my patient laughs to himself, taking his earplugs out.

“You’re all set to go. Patrick will show you back.” I motion to him, and he waves the folder in his hands toward the door.

“Thank you so much.”

I nod as I grab some gloves, wiping the table off as Cooper comes in and helps me. I love the guy, I do, but he knows exactly which buttons to push. He’s been good at that ever since we met. We went out one night, got hammered, and basically told each other everything about our lives. I let it slip that I’m basically in love with my best friend, and she doesn’t love me back.

I was hoping when we woke up the next morning, he would have forgotten about it, but he hadn’t, and since we now work at the same place, I don’t hear the end of it. He went from annoying me to go out in school to annoying me from across the department where we work in outpatient radiology, specifically MRIs.

“Do you want me to grab your next patient, Coop?”

“Yes, please,” he smiles.

I throw a clean sheet on my table before I head to grab my next patient.

“Look, you know I’m just messing with you, right?”

“Mhm,” I say as I grab a folder. “I just hate being reminded every goddamn second of the day that she doesn’t love me back. I’m well aware, and it doesn’t get better the more I talk about it.”

“I’m sorry,” he whispers. “Would it help if I threw myself into the scanner?”

I can’t help the laugh that bubbles out. “No.”

“Why not?”

“Because then I’d have to do a mound of paperwork. Plus, whoever replaces you is not going to be as fun.”

The door clicks, and Patrick walks in with Cooper’s next patient. “Be still my heart,” he jokes as he heads over to the machine and starts his spiel.

I walk out of the department, loving how quiet it is on the weekends when no other modalities are here. This is how I prefer working. Not only do I work two days a week and I get to do it with Coop, but it also allows me to have a life outside of my job.

After I grab the patient, I grab my phone from my pocket and swipe through some of the comments on Aubrey’s recent video. There are hundreds of them talking about the two of us. I hate that they give me hope that, one day, we could be something other than friends. Something more. Something that lasts forever—or as long as she’ll have me.

I feel like a lovesick idiot for being unable to shove my feelings down, but she’s the best person I’ve ever known. She’s special. Extraordinary. I’m in awe of her and her resilience, and none of that helps me detach from her.

A notification comes through that the cake I ordered is ready. I really hope she likes it, even though she doesn’t want to celebrate the insane milestone she’s about to hit.

I have most of my work day left before I head to her place, so for now, I focus on the day ahead of me and whatever it might bring—especially with Cooper here.

Trying to knock on her door with my hands full was not my best idea, but as soon as her beautiful face stares back at me, it all feels worth it.

“Hi, Aubs.”

“Honey, you shouldn't have,” she jokes as she grabs the bouquet from my arm. I may have gone a tad overboard at the flower shop, but I don’t care. “What is all this?”

“Balloons, flowers, and your favorite cake from that bakery you never stop talking about.” She’s trying to be nonchalant, to downplay this as much as she can, but I won’t let her. That’s why I brought so much stuff. “Let me set this down, and I’ll open the champagne.”