She could have sworn she hadn't seen him at all over the next seven days while she was working and getting ready for her interviews. Kevin and Jo were being great, quizzing her and helping her prep which she found very helpful. If she had looked a little harder, she would have known that he was still around, attending consults and such but the hole he left in their social group was massive. They all missed him.
""So, think you're ready" Kevin asked as they wrapped up their last quiz session.
"As ready as I'll ever be" Audrey replied, closing the notebook in front of her. "I'll have some time on the flight to go over things again."
"What time is your flight?" Jo asked.
"Nine" she said. "Early start tomorrow, I should get going."
"How are you getting there?"
"I've booked a cab" she confirmed. "Easier than looking for a lift."
"And Kashal is meeting you there?" Jo pushed.
"No, he's busy. My old college friend Laura is going to pick me up. We haven't seen each other in a while so it'll be good to catch up" Audrey said with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
Kevin and Jo looked at each other, they were thinking the same thing but neither of them said it. They didn't want to stress Audrey out before her big day, despite not agreeing with her decision.
"Do you want us to pick you up when you get back? We can borrow Neil's car, he is going to a bachelor party over the weekend so he won't need it" Kevin asked.
"Bachelor party?" Audrey asked, ignoring the point of the question.
"His college roommate, Adam. He's Best Man in a couple of months. You know about that right?" Jo continued.
"Sure, I just thought he was stuck working?"
"He went to see Glassman and they figured something out. Those two seem quite close" Jo said, almost to herself. "A bit last minute but he's going on Friday."
"Oh" she said flatly.
"You can't expect the guy to be a monk Aud" Kevin exclaimed, defending his friend. "He put himself out there and got shot down. He deserves to let his hair down."
Jo looked at him, eyes wide. She couldn't believe he'd actually said it.
"You're right" she replied. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to make this awkward and I certainly don't want you guys to have to choose between us" she said sadly. "A ride would be great, thanks."
X
She thought she would leave town without seeing him but it turned out she would literally bump into him as she left the hospital that night.
"Sorry!" he exclaimed bending to help pick up the scattered papers without realising who he had actually bumped into.
"It's fine" she replied, looking down on the to of his head as he picked up the last few loose pages.
"Hi" he said simply, as he stood and found himself face to face with Audrey.
"Hi" came her simple response as she fidgeted, trying to balance all the books he had piled into her arms.
"Do you need a hand?" Neil asked. "Kash is coming for you, right?"
"Erm, no" she mumbled. "He went to DC last weekend, he won't be back. I'll sort this lot out and catch the next bus, don't worry."
There were a few moments of awkward silence while neither of them knew what to say. They didn't want to fight again, especially in such a public place so silence seemed the best option.
"I'll give you a ride" he said suddenly, breaking the stalemate but immediately kicking himself. He didn't really want to be in an enclosed space with her right now.
"Honestly, don't worry" she replied trying to brush the suggestion off.
"It's no trouble. I'll even drop you at the end of the street again if you want" he said with a soft smile.
"But aren't you meant to be..." she asked nodding her head towards the main staircase.
"I'm early" he shrugged. "I've got time."
"Thanks" she smiled, looking down at her papers and back at him. "I'd appreciate that."
X
Minutes later, he pulled out of the lot with his passenger. 'What am I doing' briefly crossed his mind but he shook his head to dispel the feeling.
They sat in silence for most of the ride with the little conversation they had based on mundane things like the abnormally mild weather and the local sports team. Safe topics.
In what seemed like no time at all, they were sat at the kerb outside her place.
"Aud" he started as she moved to get out. He stopped himself from reaching out to touch her arm.
She stopped and looked back at him, waiting for him to continue.
"Good luck tomorrow" he finished. "You'll smash it, just like you always do" he smiled.
"Thanks" she replied, relieved that his words weren't the start of any more drama. "Enjoy your weekend" she added as she got out and turned to pick up her bag.
"Thanks" he replied, smiling a little awkwardly. "It should be fun."
"Don't drink too much" she teased. "Can't have shaky hands next week" she laughed.
"Can't guarantee that" he smiled. "See you next week."
"Sure, bye."
"Bye, Aud."
He watched as she headed inside, and turned the car around to head back to the hospital, their final exchange replaying over and over in his head. Should he have apologised? Should he have said more? Who knew?
X
He was cutting it fine making it to the hospital in time for his shift and as he rushed towards the locker room, he ran into Kevin on the way out.
"Bit late" he questioned.
"Yeah, just drove Audrey home" he replied casually. "Got stuck in traffic on the way back. Hate being late" he said as he bundled himself through the door.
Kevin followed him back inside.
"Did you guys talk?" he asked Neil.
"No, we sat in silence" Neil replied sarcastically.
"No need for that" Kevin replied. "I'll have you know, I had your back this morning when she found you were off to Vegas this weekend."
"Sorry, sorry" Neil said as he pulled his scrub top over his head. "I'm just frustrated with the whole thing."
"I know" Kevin replied. "But she's made herself clear, she's not going to leave Kashal so I'm afraid it's friends or nothing."
"I don't want nothing" he admitted quietly.
"So get this shift done, go to Vegas with your friends and find yourself someone cute to hook up with. Get this thing out of your system" Kevin said with a smile.
"Might be the best idea" Neil admitted back. "Let's get this over with then."