FERRY-LOVE-BOAT

Chapter 4

With one sentence she had killed the person who made me sigh and smile even through the tears of an illogical longing that accompanied me for years and now the unpredictable grief took over my chest and made tears well up in my eyes.

-Carina! You don't know what they let me do in surgery today! - I heard my baby brother's voice behind me and turned around quickly. - Hey, did something happen? Did you lose a patient?

-No, nothing happened. - I swallowed hard.

-Carina, you look like you're going to cry any second now. - He insisted.

-It's nothing, hard day that's all... I'm still getting used to the routine, it can be quite exhausting. - My standard lies usually didn't fool him much, he would've insisted if he wasn't so excited about what happened to him in surgery today and I would use that to my advantage. - What did they let you do in surgery today?

-I sutured the abdominal aorta with Dr. Grey! - He spoke excitedly and then the words quickly flowed out of his mouth, talking about how well he sutured and how much he had loved doing it. He really idolized Meredith Grey, but if that was what would make him keep trying so hard to be an excellent surgeon, so be it.

-I'm so proud of you! - I said, smiling at him.

-Hey, and one more thing! Today we are going to Joe's! - He said, smiling back.

-We, like you and me? - I asked back, creasing my forehead.

-Yes!

-Andrea, I don't know! I'm tired, and having a hard day, I think I'd rather stay home tonight. - I quickly said back, because after that disappointing reunion, all I wanted was the comfort of my bed and a glass of wine - okay, maybe a bottle of wine.

-I'm not taking no for an answer! - He shrugged and started walking away from me. - Joe's, 8:00pm! Be there!

Maybe it would be good for me to have a few drinks tonight and get out of my head the image of those blue eyes and pink lips that once made me daydream and now only made me sick.

It was 8:23 PM when I signed my last chart and went back to my office to change clothes; there were already two messages on my phone from Andrea asking where I was and as soon as I confirmed that I was going to the bar a shower of party emojis appeared on my screen as a reply.

-Carina! - Andrea shouted, waving his hands above his head, as I passed through the glass door.

-Ciao! - I spoke back, approaching the table where he was standing.

There were a few residents who smiled amiably at me, but soon my eyes went to the two women sitting at the far end of the table. I recognized them from earlier.

-People, this is my sister, Carina! She moved here a month ago and it goes without saying that she is the prettiest DeLuca in the family. - He said as soon as I approached and got a few laughs back as a playful slapped his arm. - What are you drinking?

-White wine is fine. - I replied, placing my purse on the table before sitting down in the chair he had previously occupied.

-I'll be right back. - He spoke back.

-Carina, isn't it? - One of the older women spoke up. - Amelia Shepherd, head of neuro.

-I've seen you in the hallways, hi! - I held out my hand and she took it quickly.

People introduced themselves and I certainly wouldn't record the names of all seven people quickly, but I was attentive when the two women - the firefighters - spoke their names. Andy and Victoria. They had just finished asking me about what I thought of the city when they were interrupted.

-Okay, next time someone will definitely have to go with me! I can't bring all these drinks without spilling half of them on the way!

-I thought you had better handy skills, Maya. - Andy answered, laughing.

I just closed my eyes for a few seconds before turning my face to confirm my worst nightmare. There she was, smiling, placing drinks on the table in front of her co-workers, not noticing me - I know this because when she finally looked forward and saw me, her smile disappeared, and her gaze became distant and more impersonal.

-But so, what do you think of the city? - Amelia asked again, remembering the question Maya had interrupted a few moments ago.

- I spent a few weeks here ten years ago during a college exchange. The city remains as cold and damp as I remembered. - I joked, trying to ignore Maya's gaze on me, she wasn't necessarily being discreet, but I was determined to ignore her all night because I wouldn't give her the pleasure of seeing me leave because of her. Even if that was all I wanted to do at that moment. - And for someone who definitely likes to feel wet, that's pretty disappointing, I know.

-Wow! - Amelia laughed out loud. - This became sexual very quickly.

Most of the people at the table joined Amelia in laughing – of course the blonde who was staring at me had not given in to my comment – and soon Andrea returned with my wine.

-Oh, Maya! Have you met my sister? - He spoke, and it was at that very moment that I contemplated fratricide.

When I turned to the blonde again, she raised her eyebrows.

-Andrea. - The word escaped her mouth as if she had finally managed to put pieces of a puzzle together.

-Oh, Carina! I told you to keep this to yourself! - He immediately complained.

-I... - I was partially shaken by the realization that she still remembered the things we had talked about so many years ago, and not knowing how I could explain how we had met before made the words disappear from my mind.

-Andrea? - Amelia asked, furrowing her brow.

-It's my given name in Italy, but when I moved here people found it easier to call me Andrew, and that's how I like to be called now. - His last words were directed at me with a roll of his eyes.

-I like Andrea. - Andy spoke up.

-That's literally your name. - My brother spoke back.

-Exactly, that's a good name! - She said and then raised her glass. - To the most beautiful Andreas in Seattle!

-Salut! - My brother finally cheered up and we all raised our glasses in a toast.

Just like me, Maya was determined to ignore me, her back had been turned in my direction all night as she talked to her friends, and I couldn't help but let my eyes drift over her muscular silhouette. Her strong shoulders, her defined biceps, the curve of her back...

Stop it, Carina!