“Do you want to go and say hi?” Tessa asked, clearly not comprehending what a stupid question that was.
Of course not.
But also, yes.
Because despite everything, Emily wanted to hear Bette’s voice, to see those warm brown eyes, to watch the way she moved and existed outside the confines of the hospital. She wanted to see who her friends were, what she was drinking and eating, if she laughed in that same kind of belly way. She wanted to seeallof Bette. Especially the bits the woman hid.
“No,” Emily replied, shaking her head vigorously side to side. She had about three seconds to decide whether or not to stay or run. She shot her head back to the club. There was a glowing crescent moon sign flickering above the entrance and the bass from inside thumped against the pavement, a rhythmic heartbeat luring in the night owls.
“Let’s get fucked,” Emily said, not caring that she had work tomorrow. It wasn’t like she was allowed in the OR anyway. A couple of painkillers and copious amounts of water and she’d be fine for rounds. All she needed now was a drink and not to think about Bette for the next few hours.
“Hell yes,” Tessa exclaimed, her eyes brightening as she hooked her arm in with Emily’s. “I knew you had it in you.”
They made their way toward the entrance, but before they could walk up the three steps, a voice called out behind them.
“Emily Sharp!”
Emily froze in her tracks and whipped her head around. She expected a bouncer or a security guard or maybe an old patient of hers who had a little too much to drink and was brave enough to call out his surgeon. But the man jogging across the street was a complete stranger. He was dressed up in a smart shirt, navy pants, and brown leather shoes. His hair was redder than the sun and his pale face was covered in so many freckles, even the night sky couldn’t hide them.
He reached them within seconds, panting slightly. “Hi. Sorry. This is weird, I know, but are you Emily? The doctor from Oakridge.”
“Orthopedic surgeon,”Tessa declared, stepping down onto the bottom step, acting like a barrier between Emily and the stranger. “Who are you?”
“I’m Jamie Bridge,” he said, panting slightly. “You’re Emily, right? You know my cousin, Bette.”
Emily blinked, surprised, at the same time her stomach did an uncomfortable somersault. Bette’s cousin Jamie was standing right in front of her for reasons she couldn’t even fathom. She stole a glance over his shoulder to the bar, hoping Bette was watching them, waving. But the physical therapist was no longer there.
Bette had probably spotted Emily and bolted.
A sharp sting of disappointment flared in Emily’s chest before she could shove it down. It was ridiculous to feel this way; Bette didn’t owe her anything. But then why did Emily feel like she’d just been left standing in the rain without an umbrella?
Jamie must’ve noticed the sag in her shoulders or the way Emily couldn’t keep her lips from turning down, because he followed her gaze, then quickly said, “She’s gone inside to get us drinks. I don’t have much time.”
“For what?” Tessa asked, folding her arms over her chest. Emily couldn’t see her face, but she knew her expression was sitting somewhere between severely intrigued and somewhat suspicious.
Jamie shoved his hands into the pocket of his pants and looked at Emily. “She doesn’t know I came over here. I just figured…” He hesitated, blowing out a breath like he was reconsidering the whole reason he had crossed the street. “Look, I don’t know what’s going on between you two, but Bette hasn’t spoken about another woman since… well, since Reba.”
Emily assumed Reba was the ex-wife. Bette hadn’t exactly elaborated on her history, and Emily hadn’t asked. She wasn’t sure if it had been out of respect or self-preservation. All she knew was that the tan line on Bette’s ring finger was fading.
“My cousin is a tough nut,” Jamie went on, rocking back on his heels. “And I mean diamond hard. She’s been hurt badly before. But ever since she met you, it’s like she’s…” he trailed off, frowning slightly as if he were searching for the right words. Clearly, they remained out of his reach, because he then sighed and added, “I just don’t want?—”
“What are you saying.” Emily interrupted, arms crossed, trying to ignore the weird, tight feeling in her chest.
Jamie shrugged. “I’m saying you shouldn’t give up on her so easily?—”
“What the hell is going on here?” a voice cut in. A voice Emily knew all too well.
Bette crossed the street, her forehead furrowed so deeply, Emily half-wanted to reach forward and smooth out the creases herself.
“Emily,” she said, her gaze flicking from Jamie to Emily, something unreadable flashing behind her eyes. “What are you doing here? Why are you talking to my cousin.”
“Um…” Emily’s tongue felt stuck to the roof of her mouth.
“We’re trying out Luna Azul,” Tessa cut in before Emily forced out a reply. “Jamie was just admiring the neon sign.” She turned her attention to him. “Should we go in and check out the place? Let the two of them…um…talk.”
Jamie, who unstuck his hands from his pockets, nodded his head. “I’ll buy you a drink.”
“Fabulous,” Tessa said, stepping forward. She looped her arm through Jamie’s and steered him toward the entrance, tossing a quick, not-so-subtle look over her shoulder at Emily before she disappeared into the building.
