Selfless Hero

I clasped the woman’s hand. “I was just doing my job. I’m so happy to see that you’re doing well.”

“All thanks to you.”

We chatted for a moment longer and then I excused myself, seeing that it was almost time for me to start my shift. I wanted to see Max first though, yet, he was nowhere to be found.

I decided to check the on-call room. When I saw that he wasn’t there either, I headed to the break room. Visions and memories of the day before with him danced through my head, making me quiver. I honestly couldn’t remember the last time anyone had made me feel this way. It was both exciting and terrifying because I couldn’t help thinking things had moved entirely too fast between us. Nevertheless, the passion and connection we felt for one another just couldn’t be contained, controlled, or slowed down.

The time between our awkward introduction and up until now had been something of a whirlwind for both of us.

The door to the break room swung open, and for one hopeful moment, I thought it was Max. But instead, Megan walked in.

“Morning, doll!” she said.

“Hey Megan.”

“So, I heard you got a day off yesterday for playing hero.”

I smirked. “It was nothing.”

“Ever so modest.” Megan got a pop-tart from the vending machine and then turned to me with an all-too-knowing gleam in her eyes. “You catch up with Max?”

I pressed my lips together, trying hard to fight back the smile that naturally wanted to present itself at the sound of his name. Megan laughed and clapped her hands together.

“Shh!” I said, casting a panicked look around the room although we were alone.

“Shh, nothing!” Megan said. “I want some details! I heard he caused a scene over you yesterday! I was busy with Dr. Mason, so I missed all the action. Had to hear it through the grapevine! When I heard you’d taken the day off, I almost decided to call you. But then someone told me that you’d left with Max, so I figured you might have been busy.” She wiggled her eyebrows.

“Very busy,” I laughed.

Megan pulled out a chair and motioned for me to sit beside her as she opened her strawberry pop-tart. “So—what’s the verdict? First impressions aren’t always lasting impressions, eh?”

I shook my head. “I guess not. I’ve never had a first impression proven so wrong in my life. Max is…intense. And wonderful.”

/> “Look at you, sounding all smitten.”

“I am,” I said, feeling another blush coming forth. “It’s scary, actually.”

“Scary? What’s scary about it? Tall, dark, and handsome doctor. Girl, that’s what you call the jackpot!”

“But it’s all happening so quickly.”

“Feels too good to be true, huh?”

“Exactly.”

“Well, the only thing to do is wait it out and see what happens. Think of it like an amusement park—sometimes the best rides are fast!”

Megan and I descended into a fit of giggles. “You are a mess,” I said.

“So I’ve been told. And don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.” She took another bite of her pop-tart and then checked her watch. “What are you doing here so early anyway?”

“I wanted to check on the woman from yesterday. She’s doing good. She’s in recovery now.”

“What exactly happened with that again?”

“I was taking Lulu for an early morning run and she took off after a stray cat. By the time I got her to stop, there was this woman. I saw her just as she fainted and bashed her head on a metal fence.”

“Goodness, honey.” Megan reached over to briefly take my hand. “I know that had to be scary.”