I nod, unable to keep the grin off my face. As we walk down the hallway, Lincoln's hand finds mine, our fingers intertwining naturally. And I know, without a doubt, that this is exactly where I'm meant to be.
As we walk, he leans in close. “You have no idea how much I needed this,” he whispers. “How much I needed you.”
My heart swells, and I have to bite my lip to keep from blurting out my newfound realization. Not here, not now. But soon. I love Lincoln Montgomery, and I have a feeling he might just love me too.
We enter the break room, and Lincoln closes the door behind us.
The break room is small but cozy, with a worn couch against one wall and a table with a few chairs. Lincoln gestures for me to sit on the couch while he grabs some paper plates and plastic utensils from a cabinet.
“I can't believe you brought my favorite,” he says, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiles. “How did you even know?”
I shrug, trying to play it cool. “I pay attention.”
He sits down next to me, our thighs touching, and I feel a spark of electricity at the contact. As I open the container and start plating the food, I can feel his eyes on me.
“Heather,” he says softly, and I look up to meet his gaze. “This means more to me than you know. These past few days have been... rough.”
I hand him a plate, our fingers brushing. “Want to talk about it?”
He takes a bite of the hamburger steak, closing his eyes in appreciation. After swallowing, he says, “We lost a patient today. A little girl, just six years old.”
My heart clenches. “Oh, Lincoln, I'm so sorry.”
He nods, his eyes distant. “It's part of the job, but it never gets easier. Especially the kids.”
Without thinking, I reach out and take his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. He looks at me, his eyes shining with unshed tears, and I see a vulnerability there that takes my breath away.
“You're incredible, you know that?” I say. “The work you do, the lives you touch... it's amazing.”
He brings my hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to my knuckles. “Having you here, it makes everything brighter. You make me want to be better, to do more.”
My heart is pounding so hard I'm sure he can hear it. We're so close now, I can see the flecks of gold in his brown eyes. The air between us is charged with tension, and I find myself leaning in, drawn to him like a magnet.
Just as our lips are about to meet, there's a sharp knock at the door. We jump apart, and Lincoln clears his throat.
“Dr. Montgomery?” a voice calls. “We need you in pediatrics.”
Lincoln sighs, running a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry, I have to go.”
I nod, trying to hide my disappointment. “Of course. Go save lives, Doctor.”
He stands, but before he leaves, he turns back to me. “Heather, I... Thank you. For everything.”
As he walks out the door, I'm left with the lingering warmth of his almost-kiss and the certainty that what we have is something special. Something worth fighting for, no matter how busy our lives might be.
I pack up the remaining food, but then my phone vibrates.
Lincoln: If you don’t have plans tomorrow, I’d love if you would come stay with me tonight.
I squeal like a schoolgirl.
Me: I’m off tomorrow. Should I wait here? I’m still in the break room.
Three dots appear.
Lincoln: Yes. My last surgery was cancelled. I’ll be there in about ten minutes or so. See you soon =)
I can barely contain my excitement as I wait in the break room. The minutes tick by slowly, and I find myself pacing, straightening the cushions on the couch, and checking my reflection in the small mirror above the sink. When I hear footsteps approaching, my heart races.
