Chapter Eight
“How long have you been with your girlfriend?” Raven asks, sprawled out on the floor, a carton of Chinese food propped on her chest.
The three of us work such different hours these days, so when we are all home on the same night, we’ve been making it a habit to spend it together.
“Since high school.” Myles stretches his legs across the couch, and forks noodles into his mouth. “And most of that time, it’s been long distance.”
Raven hands me a carton of noodles, and I spoon some onto my plate and study Myles. It’s hard to know someone by their looks only, but one glance at Myles, and you know immediately that he’s a kind person. Everything about him is unassuming. It’s not surprising to either Raven or me when he shares that he has three sisters. He’s disarming and has quickly become someone I trust.
“Since high school? That’s a long time,” I say. “Will she move to New York?”
Myles smiles as he starts scrolling through his phone. He shows me a picture of a ring, and I clap my hands together and then give Raven the phone, and she squeals.
“We’ve been together nearly a decade, and I know it seems weird that I’m only about to propose now, but Jules and I have talked about it, and she knew how important it was for me to get out of medical school and established in a residency program before we got engaged. She plans to move to New York in early June, once her teaching year is complete.”
Myles moves to a sitting position. “And Jules isn’t big on surprises. Neither am I. So, she knows it’s coming. She told me some of the ring styles she likes. The only thing she doesn’t know is exactly when I’ll do it.”
“And Jules is okay with the fact that you live with two women?” Raven raises her eyebrows and hands the phone back to Myles. “Attractive women, I may add.”
“Raven.” I kick my foot out. “Seriously.”
Myles laughs. “It was definitely a discussion. But well, she trusts me, and financially, this place made the most sense, and we’re trying to save money. Y’all will love her. She’s great.”
I put my plate down and rub my very full stomach. “When will we get to meet her?”
“We have a rule that we don’t go more than two months without seeing each other. We’re thinking the Fourth of July weekend.”
“Oh, I love, love,” Raven says, standing up. She grabs our plates and brings them to the kitchen. “I need to start putting myself out there more.”
Raven continues. “And there are so many options. We need to start hanging out at George’s more after our shifts to get to know the Presby staff.”
“Yeah, just what you need.” I stand and start helping Raven with the dishes. “Some complicated entanglement with a colleague.”
“Oh, Luna.” Raven lets out a sigh. “How are you not tempted at all by all the men in uniform?”
Myles comes into the kitchen and joins us. “Did I tell y’all I had coffee with Dr. Baldwin this morning? He is amazing. We set up a monthly coffee. Great connection, Luna. Thanks.”
“That’s awesome,” Raven says. “Did he ask about me? Did I come up at all?”
My phone starts vibrating on the counter, and I dry my sudsy hands before picking it up.
“Hey, Forest. What’s up?” I put the phone on speaker so I can continue to help with the dishes.
“Are you working Saturday evening?” Forest says the words quickly and then waits for my response.”
“It depends. Why?”
“Luna.” His voice is insistent. “You’re either working, or you aren’t.”
“No. But I’m back on the clock early Sunday.”
Forest sighs audibly into the phone. Raven turns off the faucet and then leans against the counter, listening to us. “I’ve got this thing, and my date bailed, and I have no time to find a new date.”
“What’s this thing?” I finish drying the last dish and hold the phone in front of me.
“It’s a gala. The American Heart Association of New York is hosting, and Keegan bought a table, and I need a seat filler.”
“You want me to be a seat filler?” Raven laughs in the background, and I quiet her. “I’m so flattered, Forest.”
“Yes, Luna,” he says. “The table wasn’t cheap. And I thought you might enjoy it. It would be a great networking opportunity. What do you say?”
“A gala?” I lean back against the kitchen counter. “How fancy is this thing?”
“It’s a black-tie event.”
I laugh into the phone as I think about the clothes I moved from Minnesota to New York. Nothing is even close to black tie appropriate.
“Forest, I don’t have an evening gown. Or anything resembling one.”
“I figured,” he says, “Which is why a new dress is on me. Pick out anything you want. Within reason.”
Raven starts clapping her hands together and mouths the word makeover in my direction.
“What was that?” Forest asks.
“Nothing.” I hold my finger up to my lips to quiet Raven, who looks more excited that I’m going to a gala than I am.
“And it’s Saturday? As in, two days away?”
“Yep. It starts at 7:30. I’ll pick you up.”
“Fine,” I finally say. “I’ll let you know how much money you owe me after I go dress shopping.”
“You’re the best, Luna.”
I go to respond, but Forest hangs up before I can.
“Obviously, you’ll let me go shopping with you.” Raven’s entire body shakes in delight. “And also, your brother’s voice is sexy. I need to see a photo of him.”
I walk to my room but scroll through my phone until a picture of Forest comes up. It’s from when he visited Minnesota during the holiday season. I hand the phone to Raven.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Raven looks at me, then back at my phone, her eyes wide. “How have you been keeping your gorgeous brother away from me? If you don’t want to go to the gala with him, I will gladly go in your place.”
“I kind of feel like I should never introduce you to him.” I grab a pillow from my bed and toss it at Raven.
She catches the pillow and laughs. “Wise decision. But seriously, I’m going to make sure you look fabulous for Saturday.”