Love, me.

Red Lion

Rae

The day dragged on as I glanced up at the clock, thankful that there was only twenty minutes before I was done for the day. I had already done my handover to the other junior doctor coming in in a late shift as I promised to help him finish up the transfer summaries. My face heated up, thinking about how I had embarrassed myself earlier with George. What was I even thinking, inviting her out to the pub when we never really knew each other outside of work. But something deep inside me wanted to know everything about her; to know what makes her happy and how she smells like... I needed to know all these before I had to leave to go back home tomorrow for my father's 60th birthday celebrations.

A buzzing in my pocket distracted me from my thoughts. As I glanced at the screen, I stifled a sigh as I saw that it was Erik, asking if we could chat on the phone tonight. Quickly responding that I had plans with a colleague tonight, I promised him a chat tomorrow night instead.

Finishing up the last transfer summary for a patient who would be transferring to the ward later this evening, I suddenly felt nerves kicked in when I thought about what I could possibly talk to George about, considering that I do not do anything remotely related to sports.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Jem nudged me gently and I realised I was spacing out.

"Umm no, just preparing to head off for the day. " I replied, hoping she would not ask about my plans later.

"What are you up to tonight?" She asked, clueless about my internal agony, linking her arms with mine.

"I'm just getting some drinks with George at the Red Lion, wanna join?" I asked, hoping she would say no.

A grin breaks out across her face as she nodded excitedly.

"No way I would pass on the chance to hang out with two hot girls after work!" She exclaims as she fluttered her eyes at me as I pushed her out of the office impatiently, trying not to engage in murderous thoughts at the moment, hoping I would not regret inviting her along. If anything, Jem could read me very well and would know at once that I might be nursing a crush on a certain brown-eyed Registrar that happened to work with me on my team. It did not help that she kept mentioning how beautiful George was, as if to torture me with constant thoughts of her in my mind.

As we headed out of the hospital building and rounded the corner to the Red Lion, I was a little disappointed to see that George had not arrived yet.

"Hey, we're here, should I get you a drink?" I texted George.

"We?" Her response was instantaneous.

"Yeah, I hope you don't mind... but I kinda had to invite Jem..." My heart was racing as I hit the send button.

"Why would I mind? The more the merrier. Just get started, don't wait for me." I slipped my phone back into my pocket and looked up to Jem's curious stare.

"Are you ok? Why are you blushing, is Erik the cause of it?" Jem drawled out with a sly smile.

"Yeah kind of," I lied, hoping not to give away any hint that my heart was pounding against my chest in anticipation of having drinks with George, as I pulled her towards the bar.

As we ordered our lagers, I spotted George entering the pub, looking around trying to spot us.

As our gazes connected, I felt a jolt run down my spine as she ran a hand through her wavy hair. I could not help but wonder how she could still look so good after a whole day at work. I was slightly surprised that she was actually wearing 'normal' clothes which consisted of a white linen shirt with a mandarin collar and denim bottoms, and an overshirt. This time around, a pair of brown loafers replaced her boots. She looked so stunning despite being dressed so casually. I actually felt my heartbeat picking up in intensity and rate whilst she walked towards me with a smirk on her face.