When Hearts Heal

Chapter 13

"I can't believe you did that !" Maya said almost yelling at me for leaving him behind like that. 

"What was I meant to do?" 

"I don't know but running off like that after he gave you the nicest thing you'll probably ever own and waiting for you with a champagne flute at New Year was not the right thing to do. He's clearly into you." 

"Into me? Please, Maya, be realistic. He just felt bad for ruining my new dress so he gave me one of his sisters'. There's nothing romantic about it." I answered as I heard myself say it and realized what I just said. "Okay, maybe it's a little romantic. And maybe I shouldn't have run off like that but it's too late now, I'll probably never even see him again anyway. Heck, I still don't know his name and yet he remembered mine. " 

I felt so stupid like an idiotic teenage girl. That was pretty romantic...and he wanted to spend the first moments of the new year together...damn. 

"Hey, don't beat yourself up. What's meant to be yours will find you. And if it's not him, at least you'll always have this gorgeous dress to remind you of how stupid you were." Maya teased. 

"You know, you were nice for like 2 seconds before you started patronizing me. " 

"What are best friends for if not to remind you of your screwups?" She mocked as I couldn't fight my smile. She was my best friend and through serious conversations and teasing, she was the closest person in my heart. 

Before I knew it, it was back to working 12-hour shifts. I'll admit that I enjoyed my time off from work, but I also missed seeing my NICU babies, not to mention the fact that work was a good distraction to help me forget about my mishap on New Year's. 

"I'm glad you find my life entertaining," I commented as I watched Katie nearly lose her breath from laughing so hard as I told her what had happened on New Year's. 

"Well, how can I not laugh?" She asked as I pretended to be offended but honestly, at this point, I saw the humor in what had happened. "I mean, if all else fails you always have Ben's hot uncle." She teasingly suggested as I rolled my eyes. 

I'll admit, it was nice being treated like a princess for one night even if it was just his way to apologize for what had happened. But I was still unsure if I was ready to open my heart back up to another person. No matter how attractive they were. 

"Alright, okay, you've had your fun. But we've got work to do so you can continue teasing me later." 

"You can be sure of that," Katie said with a cheeky smirk as we walked back into the NICU ward as I saw Ben's uncle hovering over him.

"Hi," I said with a smile as he leaned back and smiled. 

"Nice to have you back." He answered as Katie looked at me with an arched brow and a smirk. I knew exactly what she was trying to do, and that's why I chose to ignore her. 

"It's good to be back. I missed everyone here, especially Benjamin. But it was also nice to have a little break, we hardly get any around here so when it rains you got to scoop." I replied as I could see Katie rolling her eyes at me while checking on Ben. 

"Well, in that case, I'm glad you got a well-deserved break." 

It felt as if the conversation was going around in circles but then again, it's been a while since we've talked so maybe that was why. 

"Hey, before you go," He called behind me as I turned back around to face him. "Bleu's got another game coming up this weekend, will we see you there ?" 

"Uhm...I'll have to check if I have any shifts that day, I'm so sorry." I apologized as I watched his face drop. 

"Of course. Yes, what was I thinking ?" 

He looked so defeated and sad as I watched him turn back around towards Ben. 

"Thank you for the invite though, I appreciate it. " I answered back but he didn't have that light in his eyes anymore like when he asked me. He just smiled a polite smile and I took that as my cue to leave.