Page 18 of Joshua
Hazel: Is it still slow?
Nurse Hottie: Yeah, and it probably will be until the next shift arrives.
I jump up and hurry to my room to change. I toss my pajama shirt on the bed and shimmy out of my pants. I slip on leggings and a cute top before running a brush through my hair. I’m grabbing my clutch and keys when my phone lights up on the couch.
Nurse Hottie: This wouldn’t be so bad if I could see your beautiful face.
I giggle. “Good thing you will.”
The drive isn’t bad, especially since this time I’m not squirming in my seat with my vag on fire. I spot an open Dunkin Donuts once I near the hospital, and I dash inside. Joshua’s taste in coffee is rather simple, not that I’m surprised with the diesel they probably have in the break room.
A few minutes later, I pull in to the hospital’s parking lot. The building doesn’t feel menacing like it did the last time I was here. My steps slow on approach when I realize I didn’t think this through entirely. How do I find him? Will he mind my sudden drop-in?
I pull my phone out and find a text I missed while I drove.
Nurse Hottie: You fall asleep?
Nurse Hottie: Sweet dreams, baby. Talk to you tomorrow.
A face-splitting grin pulls at my cheeks. Stepping through the automatic doors, I press on the text window to reply.
Hazel: I’m awake. Did you know there’s a surprise in the waiting area?
Pleased with myself at my text, I walk down the short hall and look up when I hear voices. Two women dressed in scrubs are at the counter where I checked in last time.
“He’s a player and an asshole. I suggest you steer clear of him. He’ll only break your heart.”
“Why do you say that? Josh seems really nice. Did something happen between the two of you?” the brunette asks the dirty-blonde.
My ears perk at the name. Are they talking about my Joshua? Straining my hearing, I slow and hope they don’t notice me.
“It’s real nice when he asks you to dinner and later claims it’s not a date,” the blonde says bitterly.
“That’s not—Hi, can we help you?” the brunette asks when she notices me.
My phone vibrates, and I glance down before answering her.
Nurse Hottie: Surprise?
“Um, I’m just waiting on—”
The door behind them opens, and we all turn to see the newcomer. Excited to see him, my heart skips a beat, and I’m overcome with joy as his face brightens.
He grins. “Hey! What are you doing here?” he asks, ignoring the two women and stepping around the desk.
I look from him to the women. I’m shocked to see they’re both shooting daggers at me. Any lingering questions I had about if they were talking about him disappear. A faint “asshole” is whispered, and my attention returns to Joshua who didn’t miss it either.
“Hi,” I whisper, aware they are listening to us. “I wanted to…” I shove the drink I’m holding toward him and shrug, hoping he understands my nonverbal response.
Joshua smiles, though it’s not quite as exaggerated as the one from a moment ago, and he flicks his wrist. “How about you hold it for a minute, and I’ll take a short break with you since you’ve come all this way to see me.”
I nod, and he lowers his mouth to mine. The kiss is a short brush of our lips before he turns on his heels and walks to the desk. “Room two is waiting on X-rays. Dr. Rollins put the order in, and we’re waiting to take them back. I’m taking my break now.”
The blonde is seething in my direction, and the brunette offers him a kind smile before responding. “I’ll go see what’s taking them so long. See you in a few.”
Joshua returns to me and takes the coffee from my hand. “Ready?”
“Yeah.”
