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“Jen, Halloween is next weekend.”
“I know, but it’s something, don’t you think? In all your years here, have you ever seen Dr. Keeton apologize for one ofhis tantrums? Or even heard an urban legend about him being somewhat nice? Have you, Lainey?”
I don’t answer. Instead, I watch Dr. Keeton as he walks through the nurses’ station, catching eyes with Dr. Ryan who has been hovering by the copy machine. They stop for a moment to chat, Dr. Ryan’s expression going from bitter, to annoyed, to flat as their conversation ends. He nods once, shakes Dr. Keeton’s hand, and turns his attention back to the papers in his hands.
I know it’s foolish, that I don’t deserve any sort of special treatment, but there is a small part of me that wonders how much Dr. Ryan played a part in the surprising apology I received.
~
Meg: Have either of you ever tried online dating? Not a sketchy site that one would find on a Facebook ad, but something high-end.
I stare so long at Meg’s text message that a dollop of toothpaste drips out of my mouth and down the front of my pajama top. Meg…trying online dating?
Ever since the day I’ve met her, she’s prided herself on not needing to seek out attention from a man. Like a moth to a flame they always find her.
Jenna: I personally haven’t, but I think you should make an account with one of those farmer websites.
Me: Maybe we should find you a speed dating event this weekend.
Meg: Fuck off, the both of you. Sorry if I’m lonely because one of my best friends is married and the other is practically a nun. Some of us might like to get out once in a while andhave dinner that wasn’t made with a toddler hanging off their legs. Or share a nice bottle of wine.
Jenna: And the sex…
Meg: And maybe a little sex afterwards.
Me: I still think speed dating is the way to go. Jen and I could come and immediately veto whoever we don’t think would be a good fit.
I click off the light to the bathroom and pad to the bedroom as the dings from my phone continue.
Jenna: I argue for a farmer. Although I wouldn’t miss a speed dating event for the world.
Meg: What the fuck would I do with a farmer?
Jenna: I would assume farmers know how to eat and have sex.
Me: Cowboys are in right now, haven’t you heard?
Meg: Fuck off the both of you. How about I’ll do both if Lainey has to, too.
I smile as I turn my phone to silent, laying down and immediately curling up in bed. Regardless of what Meg says, I’m not a nun, but I get why she teases.
I can’t remember the last time I’ve had sex, even mediocre sex. Hell, I can’t remember the last time I’ve had a sexual encounter that involved more than just myself and my toy. If I had any guts, I’d sign up for a dating website and start the process of putting myself back out there. Except I have little to no interest in going on a first date with a stranger or texting a faceless person on an app asking them about their favorite hobbies. There’s only one man who has made me feel somewhat interested in that world, who’s lit a fire in me that I thought hadbeen permanently snuffed by the hands of someone else, and I don’t need to go very far to find him.
Chapter Ten
Ryan
“Good morning, Lainey.”
The unit lights are still dimmed from the night shift, the glow from the computer screen illuminating her as she sits. She’s tucked herself into the furthest corner of the station, always trying to blend in when she was born to do anything but. She jumps a little at the sound of my voice, turning to look at me over her shoulder, blessing me with her sweet smile.
I didn’t get a chance to talk to her for the rest of the day yesterday, but she never left my mind. I couldn’t stomach the tension, no, thefearradiating from her body when Dr. Keeton ripped into her. I’ve known Richard my entire medical career. He’s an asshole, sure, but he is one of the best surgeons the city has to offer. I respect him as a colleague, but no longer as a person. I know very little about him besides the rumors the hospital walls have to offer.
Normally, I don’t pay attention to gossip. I take what I hear with a grain of salt and don’t spread it any further. But hearingthe anger in his voice and seeing how it took Lainey from relaxed and carefree, to tense and alert had my blood boiling.
From what I’ve heard around the walls of this hospital, Richard prefers his blackjack cards hot and his mistresses young. Both of which I let him know I’d be happy to share with his wife if he dared to raise his voice in Lainey’s presence again.
I pull out the wheeled chair next to her and take a seat, leaning back against the mesh to stretch out my lower back. She watches intently, eyes trailing over my long limbs, and I’ll be damned if I don’t see the apples of her cheeks turn pink.
