15. Alex
15
Alex
“ L ooking a little formal for some lasagna, baby girl, not that I mind, of course.” I give Gabby an appreciative once-over as she steps out of her bedroom wearing a little black dress. It’s certainly a different sight from her regular attire of scrubs or the leggings and oversized sweatshirts she wears on her days off.
“I’m not having dinner here tonight. I’m going out,” she says, looking a little distracted.
“I found the necklace!” Aly barrels through the door. “This will look perfect with that dress!”
“Wait! Where are you going?” I stand from the couch, irritated. It was my understanding that everyone was off tonight and we’d all have dinner together. Michelle sent a group text a few days ago to make sure she had enough food for all of us.
“I told you. I’m going out.” She turns her attention toward Aly and takes the necklace. “Thank you. It’s beautiful. Are you sure you don’t mind? ”
“Not at all!” Aly smiles. “I’m not going anywhere fancy, and it’s the perfect length to go with that neckline.”
“What’s this about going somewhere fancy?” And why am I just hearing about this now?
“She’s got a hot date with a doctor.” Michelle’s head pops up from beneath the counter where she must’ve been grabbing some utensils. We have a rule that if the girls cook, the guys stay out of the way until it’s time to clean up. Then that’s on us.
“You have a date?” I ask with bitterness laced in my voice. It’s impossible to hide my anger.
“It’s not a big deal, but if you must know, I met a guy—”
“You mean a doctor!” Michelle interrupts.
“Fine. Doctor,” she huffs. “Anyway, we were in line next to each other at the cafeteria. One thing led to another and he asked me out for dinner.”
“A doctor from the hospital?” I rub my chin. “Who?” It can’t be any of the doctors from the Emergency Department. They’re either married or nearing retirement.
“His name is Josh Payne. He’s new…sort of. He said he was a resident but left and came back.”
“I haven’t heard that name.” I try scanning my memory for any recognition. “What does he practice?”
“Alex. I need to go.”
“Just tell me what he does, and why isn’t he picking you up here?” It pisses me off that she’s being so vague.
“Because he had a meeting. We agreed to meet at The Lighthouse for dinner.”
“Ohh. The Lighthouse. That’s more than just a casual dinner. He still should’ve offered to pick you up so I can vet him.”
“You do not need to vet him. He seems perfectly fine.”
“Perfectly fine…” I make a clicking sound with my tongue. “He sounds like an exciting guy. Just tell me what he does. ”
“Fine!” She taps her foot in frustration. “If you must know, he’s a proctologist.”
“Eww.” Aly scrunches up her nose, then catches her faux pas. “I was so surprised about you going on a date that I didn’t think to ask what he specialized in.”
“Neither did I,” Michelle says as she continues to flutter about the kitchen.
“Oh, come on. It might not be as glamorous as say, a cardiologist or brain surgeon, but someone’s gotta do it,” she tries to rationalize.
“Someone’s gotta do what?” Jax walks through the door and makes a beeline for his wife. He places his arm around Aly’s waist and she leans into him with a sigh of contentment. A pang of jealousy hits me. I want that. I want what they have and I want it with Gabby. And now she’s going out with someone else? This is bullshit.
“Gabby is going out to dinner with a proctologist,” Michelle answers.
“Eww.” Jax recoils a bit and Aly shoots him a look. “I mean, wow! That’s a very important job. You never know when you need an expert to examine your ass.”
Aly elbows Jax in the stomach.
“I mean butt.”
Aly takes her heel and presses it against the top of Jax’s foot.
“I mean tush.”
“Really?” Aly says exasperatedly.
“What? That’s what my mom calls it.”
“Hey, guys!” Carter saunters in. “Wow, Gabby, you look great!”
“Thank you.” She grabs her purse and tries to make a quick exit.
“She’s going on a date with a proctologist,” Jax blurts out, earning him another dirty look from his wife .
“Eww.” Carter winces. “I hope I never have to see one of those.”
“Oh my God, will you all just grow up?” Gabby yells at everyone and stomps out of the condo.
I run down the hall after her. “Gabby, wait!”
“What?” She turns around and folds her arms across her chest.
“I’m sorry we were making fun of your date. I’m just surprised you’re even going on one. How many times have you turned me down? You have been adamant that you don’t date and now suddenly you’ve changed your mind?”
“I can’t date you, Alex.” She looks down, avoiding any eye contact, and pushes the button for the elevator.
“Yes. You’ve told me many times. In the past, you’ve told me that you weren’t looking to get into a relationship with anyone. Now all of a sudden you’re going out with some guy who shows up out of nowhere?” I’m trying to stay calm but am failing miserably. Every nerve in my body vibrates with anger and a bit of betrayal.
“He didn’t just show up out of nowhere. We work in the same building. He seemed nice.”
The doors to the elevator open and Gabby steps on. I put my hand against the frame, preventing it from closing.
“Nice or safe?” Is that what this is all about? Maybe Jax was right when he mentioned my history with women worries her. I really haven’t been with anyone since I set my sights on Gabby, but I know my reputation precedes me. Still, Jax was just as bad (if not worse) and Aly was able to overlook his past.
“What?” She looks up, finally making full eye contact with me. There’s a sadness to her. She doesn’t want to go on this date. I can feel it.
“Are you choosing him because he’s the safe choice?”
“Alex…I…I can’ t be late,” she pleads.
My heart plummets to the floor at the thought of her spending time with another man. But I can’t force her to do anything.
“Fine.” I remove my hand from the door. “Just promise me you’ll call if you need anything.”
She somberly nods as the doors close. I stay frozen in place, trying to think of what I could have done or said differently to change her mind.
The door to 312 opens. Carter sticks his head into the hallway and yells, “You coming to dinner or what?”
“No.” I don’t even bother looking at him. “You guys go ahead and eat without me. I’ve lost my appetite.”