Heartbeats of the City

Chapter 10

When Bree and I finally got home, Lexi was already waiting for us in the living room, her curiosity evident.

"What took you guys so long?" she asked, eyeing the grocery bags we were hauling in. "And why did you buy so much food?"

Bree immediately jumped in with a grin. "Oh, Michaela met this super hot guy at the grocery store. He was George Clooney hot."

Lexi's eyes widened in disbelief, and she let out a laugh. "Seriously? You found a guy at the grocery store? That's like something out of a rom-com."

I rolled my eyes as I started unpacking the groceries. I placed the stocks like shampoo, tissues, wipes, soap, and toothpaste in the cabinet, trying to avoid eye contact with Bree and Lexi. "It was just a chance meeting. We talked a bit, but nothing serious."

Bree wasn't deterred. "I thought you'd be into someone from the hospital, like Kevin. You know, someone with a similar lifestyle."

Lexi's eyes lit up. "Dr. Kevin? That would've been great! I mean, he's charming, and you guys would make a perfect match."

I shook my head, feeling more amused than annoyed. "You guys are way too excited about my dating life. It was just a random encounter. Besides, I'm not even sure I'm ready to jump into dating right now."

Bree winked at me. "Well, if this 'hot guy' turns out to be a decent person, maybe you should give it a shot. It's not every day you meet someone who makes you blush just by talking."

Lexi nodded in agreement. "Yeah, but don't let us pressure you. Just remember to have fun and not take things too seriously."

I smiled, appreciating their enthusiasm. "Thanks, guys. I'll keep that in mind. For now, let's just enjoy the evening and eat the dinner you asked me to pick up."

As Lexi helped us unpack, Bree took the plates and set them on the table. The kitchen was filled with the aroma of fried chicken and pasta, and we were all ready to dig in.

"So, Michaela," Lexi began with a mischievous grin, "did you give this hot guy your number?"

I shook my head, grabbing the fried chicken and pasta from the bags. "His name is Miguel, and no, I didn't give him my number. We just talked a bit."

Bree chimed in, setting the fork down with a smirk. "Actually, I kind of gave him your number."Lexi burst into laughter, clearly enjoying my shocked reaction. I turned to Bree, my eyes wide. "What? Are you serious? Stop lying!"

Bree just laughed harder, clearly delighted by my reaction. "I'm not lying. I thought it would be fun. Besides, you seemed a bit smitten with him."

I groaned, feeling a flush of embarrassment. "Bree, you can't just give out my number like that without asking me!"

Bree shrugged, still laughing. "Come on, it's not like I did something terrible. It's just a number. If he calls, you can decide what to do then."

Lexi leaned in, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Well, this just got interesting. I guess we'll see if Miguel reaches out. And if he does, maybe you'll have to go on a date with him."

I shook my head, trying to hide my smile. "You two are impossible. But fine, we'll see what happens."

We finally settled down to eat, and despite the playful teasing, I couldn't help but feel a little excited about the unexpected twist in my evening. Who knew what might come next?

After we finished eating, I cleaned the table while Lexi took care of the dishes. Bree was in the shower, and my mind kept drifting back to Lily and everything that had happened today. I couldn't help but feel grateful for Dorothy and the unwavering support she's always given me, especially after my dad passed away.

I told Lexi, "I'm just really thankful that Dorothy was there for me. Even when my dad died, she stepped in and gave me everything I needed. I don't know what I would've done without her."

Lexi, scrubbing the last of the dishes, said, "Dorothy loves you so much. She'd do anything for you, you know."

"That's exactly why I love her so much," I replied, feeling a bit emotional. "She's been my rock."

I decided it was time to unwind a bit, so I grabbed the wine and three glasses. "Hey Bree, hurry up in there!" I shouted towards the bathroom. "I'm next, and we need to start drinking soon!"

I could hear Bree's laughter from the shower. "I'm coming, I'm coming! Give me a minute!"

Lexi joined me at the table, and we waited for Bree to finish her shower, excited to relax and enjoy the evening together.

Bree emerged from the bathroom, freshly showered and wrapped in a towel, and I hurriedly dashed in. After a quick, refreshing bath, I saw Bree heading towards the balcony with the wine. I followed her, curious.

"Are we drinking out here?" I asked.

Bree nodded, smiling. "Yeah, it's a beautiful night. The stars look great. We should enjoy the evening."

I headed to our room to change into my pajamas, feeling a bit more relaxed. When I joined Bree and Lexi on the balcony, they had already set up the wine glasses. Lexi was pouring a generous amount into my glass as I took a seat.

Lexi took a sip of her wine and then brought up a topic that had been on her mind. "You know, we've been living in this tiny apartment for a while now. Have you guys thought about maybe moving to a bigger place or renting something more spacious?"

I sipped my wine and nodded. "I agree. It's getting a bit cramped, and sharing a bed is not ideal. But the cost of moving and renting a bigger place is something we'd have to consider."

Bree chimed in, "It's also hard for me to bring a guy over. There's no extra room for privacy."

Lexi and I laughed at that. It was true; the apartment's small size did limit our options and our ability to entertain guests.

"Well," Bree said with a chuckle, "I guess we'll have to figure out a balance between space and budget. Maybe start looking around and see what's available?"

Lexi nodded in agreement, "Yeah, let's keep it in mind and start planning."As we continued to drink and chat, the weight of the day seemed to lift a little, replaced by the warmth of good company and the gentle glow of the city lights outside.