Page 57 of Fractured

“I don’t even know if I’m off next weekend.”

“You’re off.” The two of them answer in unison.

“I asked Jake to make sure you were off so you could come. You worked Thanksgiving, and you never come to these. Please?” Mel steeples her hands together.

“Mel, I’m going to feel like a third wheel. Everyone will have dates there.”

“No, they won’t. A lot of people come alone or with work colleagues. I promise, if you’re miserable, you can either take an Uber home, or we can bail early.”

“Yes, please, Kat. Let’s make a deal now. If you come, start complaining you want to leave about an hour in so we can leave early,” Jake requests earnestly. He receives a jab in his side from Melanie for this. “What? I don’t want to go anyway.”

“You have to go. You’re the Director of the ER. It’d look bad if you didn’t go,” Melanie whines.

“Yeah, yeah. You just want an excuse to get all dolled up and go out without the kids.”

“That too.” Melanie shrugs her shoulders and giggles over her coffee cocktail.

“Okay. I’ll go. But you better have something phenomenal for me to wear, Mel. I don’t have time this week to be worrying about a dress.”

“Oh, thank you, Kat. I’m so excited. This is going to be so much more fun with you there.”

“Sure, why not? What could happen?”

Chapter Nineteen

Kat

“Hey, Mel, I’m here.” The week flew by, and I’m ready to get ‘all dolled up,’ as Jake put it. Melanie said she had the perfect dress for me. I just brought the shoes. They make me smile when I look at them, knowing what a fondness Nick has for them.

Nick. I miss him. He’s sent sweet text messages almost daily. We haven’t communicated as much as we’ve stayed connected. He seems to be honoring his word, giving me space to get things sorted. I meet with Dr. Miller in a few days, so that’ll help. I feel like my romantic life has been such a mess. I need guidance from a professional now that I’ve learned zolpidem’s effects on me.

“Kat, come on up. I have everything laid out to get us ready.”

Walking into Melanie’s room, I see she has various pieces of jewelry, hair clips, and nail polish on display. She also has two glasses of bubbly sitting atop her dresser. “Boy, you think of everything,” I tell her.

“Well, you don’t get to go to events like this often. I say make a night of it. Hell, we aren’t driving.” Coming closer, I pick up several small bottles of nail polish. “I knew you wouldn’t get your nails done beforehand, so I’m going to do them. And pick out whatever jewelry you’d like to wear.”

“Mel, can I see the dress?” I ask, rubbing my hands together excitedly. Mel has exquisite taste, so I’m not at all worried about what she’s chosen. Grabbing my hand, she pulls me toward her overstuffed closet. Hanging from the door, I see it and gasp. “Mel. It’s beautiful.” The dress is a sapphire blue, full-length satin gown with small crystals along the bodice. It’s a sheath column dress with off-the-shoulder cap sleeves. “It looks like it belongs on a runway.”

“Kat, with your dark hair, it’s going to look beautiful on you.”

“Mel, I don’t want to wear my hair down tonight,” I quickly blurt out.

“It’s okay. I thought you might say that. I found a partial updo that’ll work. You’ll have enough of it up that you won’t feel conspicuous.”

“Thanks, Mel. This is just gorgeous.”

“Oh, I’m just so glad you’re coming with us. Have you talked to Nick? Do you think he’ll be there?” Mel asks, throwing me for a loop. I hadn’t even considered this.

“We haven’t talked. He sends occasional texts, and I respond, but nothing conversation-worthy. More like we’re just checking in.” It’s odd. I haven’t seen him at work at all lately. I think he’s trying to give me the space I need. “Mel, he’s a really good guy.”

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. A good guy and looks like that? Girl, you better get that damn appointment with your psychologist soon. He’s not going to be available for long.”

I can feel my heart lurch a little at that proclamation. I know she’s right. But I’m trying to do things the right way this time. He’s been hurt before too. Seeing Dr. Miller to iron this stuff out and get his opinion will protect both of us.

* * *

“You girls ready?” I hear Jake out in the hall. “If we don’t leave soon, there’s no sense in going.”

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