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“Britney, don’t be like that. Mel’s just trying to help,” Alex tells her.
Yeah, Britney, stop being bitchy just because your man wishes he was taking me home and not you.
Oh my god, no. Why am I thinking like that?
Ignoring both of them, I stand up and look Britney directly in the eyes so she sees that I’m not intimidated by her in the least.
“You’ll be fine. Just keep it elevated and ice it on and off for the next few days.”
“Whatever,” she huffs, looking away.
“Thanks, Mel,” Alex says, placing a hand on my lower back.
Stepping out of his reach, I push my hair behind my shoulders and gather my dress up in one hand. “You’re welcome. See you around,” I murmur.
As I’m walking away, I hear the angry shrill voice of Britney chewing Alex out. HA. Good luck with that, buddy. She really seems like the forgive and forget type when her date is dancing with another woman at a wedding for everyone to see.
Heading straight over to the bar, I order a whiskey, neat, and take a long sip straight away.
“Hi, Melanie,” Dr. Taylor says, coming up next to me.
“Hi, Dr. Taylor, how are you?”
“I’m very good. Very good indeed. I love Ally like a daughter, and now she is. She’s good for my boy.”
“And he’s good for her.”
Nodding, he orders a beer from the bartender. “Thank you, dear. Now, I saw you over there with Britney. You held your own even when she was being”–he smiles–“difficult.”
“I’m a nurse back home. I’m immune to hostile and ornery patients by now. It’s a requirement.”
“I see.” He smiles wider, taking a sip of his beer.
“Yeah, I’ve been thinking of making a change, though. These past couple of years have been weighing on me.” I don’t know why I just told him that.
“How so?” he asks, and I decide to be honest with him.
“I’m just ready to move on from the big, busy, hospital life. I’m always drained–mentally and physically–and I don’t feel connected to my patients.”
“That’s why I love being this town’s GP. I know my patients. We’re all connected. I consider them friends as well as patients.”
“That sounds nice. I’ve been looking around for a family practice near me, but nothing seems to suit me.”
“Well, I know plenty of doctors in the surrounding towns if you’re ever interested in settling down in Maine. It’s a beautiful place to live.”
“I do love this place. There’s something about it that just…” I trail off.
“Calls to the soul?” he finishes for me.
“Yes.” I smile. “That’s exactly what it does.”
“It did that for me when I moved here after college and met my beautiful wife.”
“And I know it’s done the same for Ally and Ashley,” I add.
“Well, here you go, dear,” he says, reaching into his inside breast pocket and handing me a business card. “Call me, if and when, you decide you’re ready to listen to your calling. I’ll help you out.”
“Thank you so much, Dr. Taylor.” I smile, smoothing my finger over the edge of the card.
