Page 53 of Rules Of Our Own
“Not a single one.” I’m still shaking my head when I shut Mr. Neman’s door.
I finish punching his notes into the system when someone whistles behind me.
“You’re good to take your lunch. I’ve got your rounds,” Kristie says as she walks up to me. Her light brown skin is mottled with freckles, and she has this endless source of joy that keeps her humming, no matter how many patients we have or how few hours of sleep she gets. When everyone else is walking around like the night of the living dead, she’s practically bouncy with energy.
I’m normally in the pediatric unit, but it’s pretty common for us to be flipped around for rounds. Even though working with kids is my goal, I’m not at the stage of picking my specialty yet. Which means I work wherever they need me. Soon though, I’m hoping to earn my spot.
I walk quickly to the locker room, scanning my work badge for access. In no time, I’m slipping a light sweatshirt over my purple scrubs and grabbing my bag. A quick glance at my phone shows a few texts from an unknown number, which I immediately delete, and another one from Sidney, letting me know she’s almost there.
“You heading out?” a nurse I’m not overly familiar with asks from the door, noting that I’m fully changed.
“Taking an extended lunch break.”
“Fair enough. Come find me when you get back. I’ve got a patient I think will interest you.” She smiles and holds the door open for me to leave. Curiosity bites at me, but she’s already down the opposite hall before I can ask my questions.
* * *
Sidney picked a small sandwich shop around the corner from the hospital to meet up. It’s renowned for its bread, and the sweet aroma of freshly baked sourdough wafts through the air, making my mouth water.
I spot Sidney, and she gives me a wave from one of the patio bistro tables. She’s dressed in an oversized blue cardigan, and her deep brown hair is pulled back into a bun. She still looks sun-kissed from our trip, making her olive-toned skin bronze.
She holds up a white paper bag. “I grabbed you your usual. Hope that’s okay.”
I collapse beside her, then unceremoniously unwrap and take a giant bite of my turkey-and-cranberry sandwich. I mumble, “You’re a freaking godsend.”
She grins at me. “Good to see you feeling better.”
My chest constricts, and I ignore the sharp pain. I’d been less than great the two weeks since Napa, but I thought I at least hid it from her. Turns out, I’m completely shit at it. “How’d you know?”
“I’m pretty sure you’ve taken every possible shift available. I literally had to threaten you to meet me here.”
“That was cruel, by the way.” She’d threatened to have the hockey team show up to my work and sing to me. Fucking sing! I was ninety-eight percent sure she was full of it, but that two percent was enough to get me here.
“So youarefeeling better though, right?” she prods gently.
Lying isn’t an option with my best friend, so I simply shrug before responding truthfully. “I’m not sure ‘better’ is the right word when I wasn’t supposed to be upset in the first place.”
She places her sandwich on top of it’s bag. “I think it’s pretty natural to be upset with your history.”
Both my brows shoot up. “You’re the one that convinced me that one weekend was a good idea to begin with.”
“Do you regret it?” She raises one perfectly arched brow.
I take another bite and give myself a second. Do I regret it? Thoughts of firm hands and ravenous kisses fill my head. “No. It was pretty spectacular. It just hurts, you know? The three of us have always been the case of the right people at the wrong time.”
A weight presses down on my shoulders, and I put down my sandwich, no longer hungry.
Sidney watches me, and then, to my relief, she switches the subject to her and Jax’s plans for the last two weeks before he has to report back to the Ottawa Senators. They’re going to the Maritimes to do some whale watching and head up the Cabot Trail. She’s pretty excited about her Newfoundland iceberg spotting, clam digging in New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.
Sidney smiles sheepishly. “I’m rambling. But seriously, Anne of Green Gables? Totally stoked.” Her brows pull together. “You going to be okay while we’re gone?”
I drum my fingers on the table and roll my eyes. “Yes, Sidney. I’m all grown up and able to take care of myself for two whole weeks.”
“Don’t give me that sass. We both know you’ll miss me.” She gives me a cocky grin that she definitely picked up from Jax.
My phone beeps, and I check the time. “Shit. Got to go.” We both stand, and I pull her in for a bear hug, holding her for an extra second before letting go. “Thanks for lunch, and have fun on your trip. Don’t worry about me.”
“I always worry about you. Just promise you’ll call if you need anything.”