"Aren't I supposed to be holding your hand?" I ask him. "The good one, I mean."
Seth gives a little smile and continues watching Lynn sew.
"You're a paramedic here, right?" Lynn asks, pulling the thread through his skin.
"Yep." Seth's mouth barely moves when he answers.
He probably doesn't want to distract her and end up with two fingers stitched together or something. It's like when my hairdresser got too fired up telling me about her car accident and cut off two extra inches.
"That explains a lot," Lynn says. "Paramedics are a different breed."
She pulls the needle through his skin again, and I'm amazed by how simple this process is. I probably could have done this myself, if Seth and I were trapped in the Andes after a plane crash. I would have had to use dental floss and a safety pin though. I'm not saying I'd be his first choice.
"There's a P.A. here who's madly in love with you," Lynn tells him. "Stephanie. Do you know her? At least I think it's you she's in love with. She calls you the hot paramedic."
"Okay.” Seth’s tone suggests that he'd like her to stop talking.
"You fit the description—tall, dark and handsome and sort of unfriendly."
I snort. "That sounds about right." When I realize I've confirmed his brooding good looks, I add, "Especially the unfriendly part."
Seth grimaces, and I know it's not from the pain of the needle. He can't stand being the subject of our conversation.
After appraising my Liberated Woman t-shirt and smirking knowingly, Lynn says, "Are you his girlfriend?"
I've now officially decided that Lynn's bedside manner sucks. In addition to being pushy and judgmental, she's a busybody. I'm sure Stephanie, the lovesick physician's assistant, would agree with me. Anyone who outs her co-worker's crush is a traitor.
"No, I'm just his emergency contact," I say, winking at her like there's some kind of double meaning to it.
She looks at me for a second, waiting for clarification that I'm not going to provide. Then she gives up and completes her stitching job. After she's finished, she admires her work before giving Seth his hand back.
An attractive young doctor enters our curtained area with a brisk manner and an air of authority that contrasts with her petite stature. She introduces herself as Dr. Chu, then allows Lynn to explain Seth's injury and how she repaired it. Dr. Chu inspects his finger closely, then sets his hand back on the table.
"Looks good." She gives Seth a smile that doesn't reach her eyes. It's not a fake smile, just detached and professional. Lynn could learn a thing or two from her. "I hope you feel better soon, Mr. Conrad."
She turns on her heel to leave, but Lynn stops her by saying, "Don't you recognize Seth here? He's one of our paramedics."
Dr. Chu looks more closely at Seth, and her face softens with recognition. She blushes slightly, but otherwise remains composed.
"Right, of course. I'm sorry, I didn't recognize you at first."
"It's fine," Seth says, giving Lynn an irritated glance. "Thanks, Dr. Chu."
"Certainly. Take care of that hand."
There's an awkward pause before she exits our curtained area. I'd take Dr. Chu's social fumbling over Lynn's bullishness any day.
"We're almost done here," Lynn says. "I'll bring your discharge papers and let Stephanie know you're single."
"Please, don't," he says in a pained voice. "I don't date anyone where I work."
Apparently someone heeds the "don't shiteeth where you eateeth" advice.
* * *
It'sironic that in a place called "Emergency Room," things can move at such a glacial pace. By the time we get back to the farm, it's ten o'clock, and I feel like days have passed since we left for the hospital. I'm not sure what Seth and I are anymore, but it's definitely not enemies.
We're both starving and exhausted, and Seth insists that he can make us something to eat, even though he has a bum finger on one hand. I agree to his offer and text Dad and Renata to let them know where we've been. They're just getting home from the baseball game and are shocked to hear about our eventful evening. They're probably even more shocked to hear that I'll be at Seth's house eating a late dinner.
