11. Jonathan
Jonathan
Lina was uncharacteristically quiet today. Her mouth may not do much talking, but her presence always made itself known, demanding every bit of my attention. But today was different, despite it being a Monday. She wasn’t the same.
Out of the corner of my eyes, I watched her as she sorted and placed our orders away.
The unusual sight of bags and dark circles adorned the skin under her eyes.
Her movements were slow and delicate, unlike her standard quick and sharp demeanor.
She even breathed differently, with constant deep breaths.
What was going on with Lina Lee?
“Dr. Lo,” called out a familiar voice.
I peered in its direction and found my brother-in-law standing at our pickup window with a wide grin.
He never had a hair out of place, and his dress shirts and ties were crisp whenever I saw him on a workday.
The heavy tan overcoat he had on had sprinklings of raindrops more on one shoulder than the other.
“Where’s your wife, sir?” I asked, approaching with my warm customer-service smile.
Carmen laughed as she stepped away from the counter. I had time to chat since Andy came in right after the mid-afternoon rush. Thankfully, it was slow right now. He tipped his head in the direction of our restroom.
“She’s busy,” he answered.
I snorted. “Busy relieving herself every five minutes,” I corrected. “I bet we’re just another emergency pit stop along your way home again, huh?”
The last time my older sister, Julie, and Andy were here, it was because the pharmacy was the halfway point between her OB-GYN and their home. The two of them got married early last year. And now my family and the Hughes were patiently waiting to welcome the first grandchild of the family.
Andy shook his head, laughing. “That’s my pregnant wife you’re talking about.”
As if on cue, my older sister stepped out of the restroom. She sighed as she rounded the corner of the hallway. Although she was only in her second trimester, she was already waddling with her thick layers of sweaters and overcoat.
“Sweetheart, I’m probably going to need to use the restroom again before we leave,” she said to Andy.
His eyes twinkled in amusement. “That’s alright, Tink.”
Before those two lovebirds assumed they were the only two people in this world, I cleared my throat. “Our restroom is strictly for patients and staff only, ma’am,” I reminded the two of them. “If you or your husband aren’t here to give us business, I suggest you two take your leave.”
Julie narrowed her eyes. She scoffed. “You are such an—”
Andy interrupted his wife with a soft chuckle. “I’m actually here to pick up a prescription.”
My eyebrows probably rose to my hairline from the surprise. My brother-in-law was a young, athletic, and healthy man. In the few months he and Julie had moved back to Sunset Valley from the big city, I’d never seen him here once for a pick up.
Whether it was for a prescription for a generic pain reliever, antibiotic, or even vitamins, I’d never seen him come in for anything unless it was for a flu vaccination. Hell. This man didn’t even get fucking sick four months ago when we all randomly came down with a cold.
If anything happened to him, my sister would be devastated. I watched my mom grieve my dad’s death. I wouldn’t be able to watch my sister suffer through losing Andy.
He observed me with curious hazel green eyes, still smiling. “Why do you look so concerned, Dr. Lo? I’m just here to get vitamin D3 pills. According to my recent blood work, I need them due to the constant overcast this winter.”
“If anything happened to you, I wouldn’t know what to do with Julie,” I quipped pointedly, trying to conceal my worry.
Julie and Andy turned to each other with wide eyes and grins. They shared a chuckle. Then, she leaned on the counter. “Jonathan, just tell me you love me next time.” She said it low enough just for me to hear as a phone call came in.
My team behind me was busy, but I knew they heard most of our conversation. Sheryl and Carmen stifled a laugh behind me. My face flushed as Julie announced she was going to sit. Her petite frame waddled almost comically to a chair in our waiting area.
Andy’s expression softened with a gentle grin. “Aside from me picking up my prescription, did you want to have lunch with us?”
I shrugged. “I only have thirty minutes.”
Andy looked over at Julie with a big grin. “What are you craving for lunch, Tink?”
“Mediterranean,” she smiled. “Did you want to come with us?”
I looked at Andy. “You paying?”
“Aren’t you the pharmacist?” he asked, raising a brow at me.
I smirked. “Yes, but I’m also the one with the most student loans. And aren’t you the one with a diverse investment portfolio?”
Andy nodded slowly. At the same time, I heard Lina walk behind me. Her footsteps were the lightest and lowest to the ground among the team members. She practically dragged her feet across the floor when she walked, making the sounds of her footsteps distinguishable.
“Lina Lee?” asked Andy.
Julie perked up as Lina came to a stop. I looked over my shoulder at her as she peered up at Andy, who, at six feet, is not much taller than me. He was grinning.
“I don’t think you remember me, but I was the teacher’s assistant for your P.E. class your freshman year,” he said.
“Oh, hi. You’re Andy, right?” she asked. Her voice was light.
Why was Lina being gentle when the real her was all ice and hard, sharp edges? This was strange. I watched her closely as she smiled—a genuine one that defrosted her usual cold demeanor. I blinked, unsure of what I was seeing.
Andy breathed a sigh of relief. “I was worried you might call me Anthony for a second,” he laughed. “People used to get us confused with one another all the time even though we aren’t identical twins.”
“N-no, never. It’s easy to remember that you’re Andy,” said Lina quietly. Her cheeks flushed pink with that answer, and I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at her.
I looked at Julie, who was now excitedly approaching the counter. She beamed with a blinding grin, and Lina returned the gesture. “Hi, Lina. I don’t think you remember me either, but we were in the same sketch class.”
“No, I remember you, Julie. If it wasn’t for your help and pointers, I probably wouldn’t have gotten an A in that class and wouldn’t have become class valedictorian,” she smiled.
My sister’s grin grew wider as she glanced between Lina and me. “It’s nice to see you work with Jonathan. Must be quite nostalgic,” she said. “He talks about you all the time. Back then and now.”
For a moment, the smile Lina wore shook, then she regained her composure. “Really?” she asked, turning her attention to me.
All the sweetness in her voice and the warmth in her presence were gone.
Her lips now barely curled at the corners as she pursed her lips, not enjoying the news Julie disclosed.
I wasn’t sure what game my sister was playing at.
But I wasn’t thrilled about it either. At least Julie and Andy would be able to see her for who she truly was.
I folded my arms across my chest and tipped my head to the side, smug and cocky. “Don’t look so flattered, Dr. Lee. It looks unprofessional on you.”
“You’re not denying it, which only leads me to believe it’s true. You love to talk about me, Dr. Lo.” Her words slithered out in a slow and methodical cadence, purposefully so everyone could hear her.
The corners of my lips tugged tight into a sneer. I took a sharp inhale, ready to respond, when Andy spoke up.
“You two sound like you’re getting along.”
We both turned to him in disbelief as he and Julie laughed. They glanced between the two of us as if they were privy to a secret only we shared. But there was nothing but spite and pure dislike sizzling between her and me.
“Seems like there’s never a dull day here with you two working together, if this is how you both usually are,” quipped Julie.
Lina smiled politely and excused herself to get back to work with a red face. Meanwhile, I just rolled my eyes at my family. I waved them off dismissively. My sister and brother-in-law laughed again as they took their seats in the waiting area.
I was going to have to say a few strong words to them during lunch. Sure, I talked about Lina any chance I could. But they couldn’t just waltz in here and casually mention things about my life outside of the pharmacy.