Cameron was an oncologist, which was never an easy job. But being an oncologist in a small town where she knew practically everyone? That was even harder. She couldn’t count the number of times she’d had to look her friends in the eyes and tell them they had cancer. Her heart broke for them each time, which was how Cameron knew she was made to be an oncologist.
Taking the elevator up to the fifth floor, Cameron took advantage of the short ride and fixed her long blonde hair in the reflective siding of the elevator. She’d worn a dress—as was her usual work attire—that hit just at the knees. The green color was perfect for the late-summer day and also helped to compliment her hair and blue eyes. As the elevator doors opened, Cameron was immediately greeted by Melanie Wright’s ridiculously dorky grin and two cups of coffee in her hands.
“You’re late.”
“But I’m not pregnant,” Cameron grinned as she took one cup of coffee from Melanie. They walked side by side to her office as they did most mornings when Melanie was on the night shift.
“Thank god,” Melanie snorted a laugh. “You were the whiniest pregnant woman I’ve ever met. And that’s saying something since I work with pregnant women every day.”
Melanie was a labor and delivery nurse, and Vera had introduced them on her first day at the hospital. They’d become friends after that, and the rest was history. The two were inseparable, and Melanie was even a surrogate aunt to Cameron’s kids.
“Ha ha,” Cameron rolled her eyes as she opened her office door. It wasn’t much—a bookcase overflowing with books, a way too cluttered desk, and a few leather chairs for talking with patients—but it did the job. “You love me, though.”
“I have to.” Melanie dramatically flopped onto one of the leather seats as Cameron took her laptop out of her purse. “You’re my best friend. For better or for worse.”
“But it’s more better than worse, right?”
Melanie held up her hand, moving it back and forth to indicate maybe not. Cameron rolled her eyes.
“Whatever. You love me.”
“Indeed.”
Melanie’s hazel eyes looked tired, as they often did these days. Cameron knew her friend was struggling in her marriage, which was boiling over into work. Granted, it could also be because Melanie had just worked a twelve-hour night shift. But either way, Cameron knew her friend needed a break from work and her husband.
“We need a girls’ night.”
“Yes,please.” Melanie dramatically moaned. “I need a break. Tonight is my tenth shift in a row. I’m exhausted.”
“You’re a workaholic.”
“I’m just doing my job.” Melanie’s tone was slightly defensive, but Cameron let it slide. She knew it wasn’t directed at her.
“Oh, so it’s your job to covereveryshift?”
“Someone has to do it. People don’t stop having babies just because we’re short-staffed.”
“But you have seniority. Make one of the new kids take an extra shift now and then. That’s what they’re there for.”
Melanie shrugged, sipping her coffee that Cameron knew was straight black. They’d had the same conversation countless times over the last year. When Melanie began picking up extra shifts, Cameron could tell something wasn’t right at home. She knew Melanie and Rob Wright well enough to sense that. Still, she didn’t want to push her friend into saying it out loud. Not when she was clearly working through some things.
“So, girls’ night this weekend?” Cameron asked with a smile to let Melanie know she was teasing earlier.
“I’m working this weekend.”
“Of course you are,” Cameron jabbed with a smirk.
“But I’m off next weekend.”
“It’s a date.”
Winking at Melanie, Cameron noticed how she blushed as she looked down at her coffee.
Weird. What’s that about?
It wasn’t the first time Melanie had acted differently at Cameron’s compliments. She’d noticed it a few weeks ago, but had said nothing so far. Cameron debated asking her, but stopped short when Vera Mackenzie entered her office. She was wearing scrubs and the same tired look Melanie had on her face as she sat beside her.
“That one was rough.” Vera yawned as she took Melanie’s coffee cup and took a sip.
