AllFreeNovel
Share Us
GIBSON
It was the Mondayest of all Mondays. And when we’d thought we’d be able to sneak over to Charis’s house for a little bit of alone time, both she and Stone have gotten called to fill a night shift.
I respond to both of them in our group chat we started weeks ago.
Me: What do you say I bring you dinner?
I’m getting braver, especially after Lance had read my first twenty pages and had been begging for more.
I’ve changed the name I have Stone programmed into my cell. He may be an asshole still, but he’s mine.
Doc: As long as it’s not Chinese. I think I have eaten as much as I can for the next couple of weeks.
Charis responds before I can.
Greek Goddess:You’re the one after all who bought enough for a small army.
Me:She got you there. How about something like simple pizza from Gino’s?
Greek Goddess:Sounds great to me.
Me:I’ll see you about six, okay?
Stone sends me the thumbs-up emoji because he knows I hate it.
Me:Stone, you’re an arsehole.
I’ve been calling him that since Charis’s ex chastised him about not speaking American enough.
Doc:Yeah, but you love my arsehole.
I burst out into laughter, and though he’s certainly an arsehole, he’s right. I love him, and everything about him. And I can’t forget Charis. Because she is who connects all of us. Man, I’ve not been able to get the freaky smile off my face since this weekend. And I’m not sure it will ever fade.
* * *
Charis sends me a text,as I pull into the parking lot asking me to come find her in the lounge, outside the cafeteria, labeled hospital staff.
I locate it without issue. And when I knock, she opens the door. “Hey there.” She pulls me in, her shoulder cradling the cell. “Yeah, Ma. I just got off the phone with Bridget. She’s not home, or I’d just have you drop Meadow off at their house. And because you have to get on the road, bring Meadow here. I’ll have Bridge swing by and pick her up.”
I mouth, “Is everything okay?”
She holds out her index finger, telling me to hold on. “Nah, Vréfos, after today, I’ll be off for three days. If you can’t get back here by then, I’ll make arrangements for her. But go be with Mina. Yeah, Ma. I get it. I’ll be in the room off of the cafeteria. Love you, too.” I notice she shortens her mom’s name after a while to Ma.
She pockets her phone as the door opens, Stone walking in with a smile on his face. In his scrubs, he’s so fucking sexy.
“Got it covered, love?”
“Yeah, Bridget should be by in time to grab her before our dinner is up.” She turns to me, pulling me in for a kiss. It’s so natural to do, as Stone gives me a peck on the cheek.
“Hey, Teach.” But he’s pulling for a piece of piping hot pie before I can reply.
“Everything okay, GG?” I ask.
“Yeah, my cousin, Mina, is in labor. She’s only seven months along and because my parents are an hour away, they want to be there. Her husband’s deployed and she has no family. Anyway, they were going to take Meadow, but that’s a recipe for disaster. So, it looks like you’ll have three girls at the house instead of just the over-energized twins.”
A chance to bond with Meadow. Yeah, I think I may just like it.
“Anyway, Bridge will be by to grab her in an hour. My mom is bringing her here. It’s easier and because she’s only met you once, I thought it would be better for Bridget to come get her. But I was hoping….”
