Saddle up

Chapter Thirty-Two : Familiar Faces

Seven months later...

I was hunched over a patient chart, making sure I had all the details before report. The hum of the busy hospital, with its beeping machines and soft murmurs of patients, faded into the background as I focused. I was nearly done reviewing the medications and upcoming care plan when a familiar voice startled me.

"Guess what!" Emma plopped down beside me, nearly bouncing out of her seat in excitement.

I glanced over at her, surprised at how done up she was considering we'd just finished a long night shift. Her usual scrubs were replaced with the kind of makeup and hair that didn't quite fit with the 3:00 a.m. vibe.

"...What?" I asked, a half-smile creeping up my face.

Emma's eyes were wide, and she leaned in, practically bouncing with energy. "I MAY have gone out with a super sexy doctor this weekend!"

I felt a flush of excitement before I even knew what she was going to say. "I know exactly who you're talking about," I teased, already guessing. "Dr. Greene, right?"

She grinned, practically glowing. "Yes! And I may have done a little more than just dinner and a movie with him."

I widened my eyes in mock shock. "Shut up!" I whispered, leaning closer. "You're so bad! Tell me everything."

Emma giggled, clearly enjoying my reaction, and began spilling details. "Dinner at this little Italian place downtown, followed by a movie at his place, and then... well..." She gave me a sly grin. "Let's just say the rest of the night was just as fun."

My jaw dropped, but I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face. "Girl! That's amazing! I can't believe you... are you going to see him again?"

"Of course!" she exclaimed. "We've been texting nonstop ever since, and he's just as sweet as he is sexy."

I chuckled, shaking my head in amusement. "He's going to be the talk of the hospital for sure. But seriously, you better be careful, you know the rules about staff dating."

Emma rolled her eyes, brushing it off. "We'll be fine, it's just a little fun...besides, only a few more weeks until it doesn't matter anymore!"

I was still laughing when Emma leaned in with an even more mischievous smile. "Speaking of sexy, though, you're in for a real treat today with your new patient."

My eyebrows shot up. "What do you mean?"

"I had him last night. Trust me, you'll love him," she teased.

I raised an eyebrow. "Good, you can give me report then."

Emma scooted her chair closer to mine, flipping open her notes. "Alright, so this is a 25-year-old male admitted for a farm accident. He was thrown from a horse and stepped on. The poor guy's got a shattered tibia and fibula."

I cringed. "Ouch," I muttered, jotting down some notes.

"Yeah, rough one. X-rays showed fractures in both the tibia and fibula. They were pretty bad, but Dr. Azzaro performed surgery quickly—open reduction internal fixation. He's got pins and screws in place, and the incision site is healing nicely. Bandage changes every shift."

By the time Emma finished with the report, I was eager to meet my new patient. She gave me a little smirk before heading out. "Alright, ready to meet your sexy patient?"

I rolled my eyes. "Thanks for the heads up."

I walked into the room, still going over my notes, and didn't realize until I reached the bed that Emma had already introduced me.