Page 56 of Trick or Treat Nurse at My Feet
My cheeks burn, the flush spreading across my face like wildfire.
You've only seen me in regular clothes and scrubs…
Tyler
And out of them. Still looking good
I nearly drop my phone, glancing around the library tomake sure no one can see my screen. This flirty, confident Tyler still surprises me.
You're terrible
Tyler
That's not what you said the other night
I'm typing a response when I feel it again, that crawling sensation of being watched. I look up sharply.
The library is half-full of students hunched over textbooks and laptops. No one is paying attention to me. But I can't shake the feeling of eyes on me.
I pack up my things quickly, suddenly eager to be back in my apartment with the door locked.
I have to go. Talk tomorrow?
Tyler
Everything ok?
Hesitating because I don't want to sound paranoid.
Just tired. Goodnight!
Hurrying out of the library, I take the well-lit path home, checking over my shoulder more than once. The November evening air has a bite to it, but I barely notice, my mind replaying the conversation with Tyler on loop.
My date. If you want to be.
Those words follow me all the way back to my apartment.
Tyler
Looking forward to Saturday. Sweet dreams, Nurse Hottie
As I unlock my door, my phone buzzes with a text from Tyler:
A ridiculous smile spreads across my face. Sylas would mock me mercilessly for how giddy I feel over a simple text, but right now, I don't care.
For the first time in longer than I can remember, I'm actually excited about what tomorrow might bring.
By Friday,I'm starting to feel like I'm losing my mind. I haven't seen Ryan again, but I still can't shake this feeling that someone's watching me. When I mention it to Sylas, he insists on walking me to and from classes, his protective streak in full force.
"You're being ridiculous," I tell him as we head to the Health Sciences building for my lab assistant shift. "I'm perfectly capable of walking by myself."
"I know you are. But humour me."
The truth is, I'm grateful he's here with me. Even if I'm making a big deal out of nothing, having him around makes me feel safer.
"So what are you doing in the lab today?" Sylas asks as we cross the quad. "More exciting inventory?"
My eyes roll. "Setting up for next week's simulations. We're doing wound care, so I need to prepare all the fake injuries."
