Chapter 56
CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX
Julian
Sitting on the padded chair in front of my open locker, I stare at nothing. My neck and shoulders are tight, my back aches. My entire body could use a good stretch. But I’m too tired.
This has been one of the busiest weeks I’ve had since starting at Palmetto Regional. It feels like Ortho Trauma is the only service being inundated. It’s the only thing I can be thankful for right now because it means Leena isn’t being overworked too.
Even though I’m so tired I debate just spending the night in an on-call room, I want nothing more than to shower this day off, head home, and crawl into bed with my girl.
After a quick but scalding shower, I drag on some joggers and a T-shirt, slip on a hoodie, grab my bag, and then head out.
As I’m walking down the covered employee entrance, someone calls my name ahead. I whip my head up from the text I’m about to send Leena, letting her know I’m on my way home.
Alisha Manning grins at me. “Oh, Ian. This has to be meant to be.”
It’s definitely not the exhaustion making me confused over her statement. She must see my questioning look because she gestures over her shoulder toward the parking lot.
“I was working late, and now my car won’t start. I was heading in to see if someone from security could help me.” She pauses for a moment before smiling. “But, maybe you’d be able to.”
Looking back and forth between her and the building, inwardly sighing, I nod my head. “Sure, no problem. Where are you parked? I’m in the physician lot.” I would much rather go straight home, but I don’t want to be rude or make this woman’s evening harder.
Smiling gratefully, she tells me, “Almost all the way in the back.”
I see a lone vehicle in the distance where she’s pointing. Gesturing to mine that is almost in front, I suggest, “Let me drive you.”
“Aren’t you the sweetest,” she simpers.
She gets in the vehicle, angling her body against the door, and watches me.
The short drive to her car is frankly too long.
Quickly jumping out, I grab the jump box and move towards her car.
In the beams of my headlights, I can see her hood is already popped and I only need to lift it, allowing the hydraulic struts to keep it open.
“I’m sure you look good in surgery, but you play a mighty fine mechanic.” The words float to me on the night breeze. I feel nothing at her attempt at a sultry voice.
I release an awkward laugh, then tune out her chatter and blatant appreciative gaze. It takes mere moments to get her car roaring to life.
“Alright, done,” I say, and she claps excitedly.
Impatiently, I coil up the cables and slam the hood closed with one hand. Alisha moves alongside me to the back of my SUV as I tuck the jump box away and press the button to close the hatch. Reluctantly, I shift to look at her.
“You’re a lifesaver, Ian. Like my real life hero.” She flashes me a playful and inviting smile.
Coughing to hide my grimace, I look at my watch to ward her off. “Glad I could help. It’s been an extremely long day, so I’m going to head home. Have a good night, Alisha.”
“Thanks, Ian.”
Nodding my head, I round my vehicle and wait for her to do the same. I exit the parking lot behind her, but head in the opposite direction, my foot a little heavy on the accelerator in my hurry to get home to my girl.
Closing the back door behind me, I see lights on in the living room. My guess is it’s Charlie—no doubt my girl is already asleep. Trudging in that direction, I find Charlie, who looks over at me from the couch where she is bundled up in a huge blanket.
“Hey,” I say, dropping my bag by the coffee table and sinking into an armchair.
Her face tightens up when she asks, “Did you add another case?”
Resting my head back with eyes closed, I shake my head, “Nope, just got caught up.”
“Well your week’s almost up. You have that to look forward to.”
Opening one eye at her mischievous tone, I wonder what’s up with her.
“You know, to rest and what not.”
Frowning at her hands flapping about, I only hum in agreement.
“Leena left some soup and bread in the microwave for you.”
That has me sitting up. Knowing I wouldn’t have put in the effort myself, she made sure a serving was ready whenever I made it home. Pushing my hands on my thighs, I heave my body up.
I take my heated bowl and napkin with a crusty slice of bread back to the living room, watching the episode of Below Deck Charlie has on as I devour the food left for me.
I’ve never had time or interest in reality TV, not even Quinn could get me to watch it with her. But living with two women—one I would do anything to see smile—I’ve become invested in their guilty pleasure shows along with them.
Too exhausted, I end up sitting long after I finish eating. When another episode ends, Charlie starts shuffling around. Expecting to see her getting up to go to bed, I find her studying me.
“What?” I ask, suddenly alarmed by how my girlfriend’s best friend is studying me.
“Calm down,” she snorts. “Everything’s fine. I’m just glad you’re here. Seeing Leena so happy is all I want for her. But, aside from that, I’ve enjoyed getting to know you, too.”
“You’re scaring me. You almost never get sentimental,” I joke with her.
Her pretend shudder makes me smile. “I know, it’s gross. It’s just . . . Thanks for never treating me like a third wheel.”
“Charlie. Pretty early on, even before Leena and I officially got together, I started thinking of you as my friend.” Taking a deep breath, I speak openly.
“I could be envious of the friendship you two have, but it's genuine and such a big part of who Leena is. If anything, I want to protect that bond as much as mine with her. It makes it easier that you’re pretty cool and I like having you around.”
“Okay, now you’re getting too sappy for me.”
“Damn, there is no winning with you.”
Shrugging, effectively ending the conversation, she holds up the remote to me in question.
“No, I’m going to head to bed, too.” More eager than ever to be wrapped around my girl as I fall asleep.
Slipping into the room quietly, I allow my eyes to adjust to the dark.
Moving to the side of the bed, I plug my phone in, then strip down to my boxers, grateful I showered at the hospital.
Leena is sprawled out on her stomach, one arm under her pillow and one leg pulled up toward her hip and sticking out of the blanket.
Gingerly, I climb into bed and curl my body against her side.
When her body tenses, I soothe my hand up and down her back.
Once I’m sure she won’t wake up, I kiss her shoulder and lean my forehead against her bonnet-protected curls.
I breathe her scent into my lungs.
A while back, I had figured out what my girl’s scent reminded me of.
There was an Osmanthus bush outside my grandmother’s back door.
It had tiny clusters of orange flowers that would bloom in the fall.
The fragrance is similar to a ripe apricot.
Mixed with Leena’s hair mask—yes, I am more familiar with hair and beauty products than ever because of my obsession with my girl—she has a unique scent of apricots, spearmint, and rosemary.
With a deep inhale, I fall into a peaceful sleep.