I'm off for minor surgery tomorrow so might be a bit slow on the updates this week coming. Sorry!
Dr Lim. Do you think I could ask you something in private?" one of the ward nurses asked her as she stood, quietly updating patient notes at their station.
"Sure, okay" Audrey replied, looking around for a more secluded spot. She assumed that the nurse wanted to ask a medical based question in private. She certainly did not expect what was coming next.
"Can I ask you about Dr Melendez?" she started to Audreys surprise. "Some of the new residents have been talking and we were all kind of wondering... You're close right?"
"Yes" she replied still feeling that the conversation was a little vague. "We're friends."
"Just friends? You're not..."
"Yes, just friends. Nothing more" she interrupted, getting frustrated engaging in what she considered gossip. "Is there something you actually need? I've got patients to see."
"Well, this is a little awkward" the nurse started. "Errrmm...is he dating anyone right now?" she asked quickly, as if rushing the words would make them less embarrassing to say out loud.
"He isn't" Audrey replied flatly, shaking her head.
"Great, thanks" the nurse smiled, still a feeling a little self-conscious.
"Is that all?" Audrey asked, feeling eager to get away from this whole weird conversation.
"Yes, thanks. Sorry if that was a bit... you know" the nurse said with a shrug and a grimace before walking away.
Audrey stood still for a moment trying to process what had just happened before a call snapped her out of her reverie and down to the Emergency Room.
X
Neil Melendez love life became a hot topic around the hospital in the days that followed. Once it had been confirmed straight from the most reliable source that he was available it seemed like flood gates had been opened.
One of the new first year residents had asked him on a date within a day of that awkward conversation. That had been a tough one to talk himself out of but eventually he'd insisted they keep their distance. He was considered to be in a senior position to her in the eyes of the hospital and it wouldn't look good for either of them.
Sat outside enjoying the sunshine during their lunch break, Neil and Kevin spent some time catching up with each other. Their busy schedules meant that they still had to take every opportunity they could to see each other whether it was lunch or just a coffee.
"You need to get out more" Kevin said nudging Neil in the side. "Look at all these ladies looking at you. When was the last time you went on a date. You need to get on with your life Neil, meet someone you can actually be with."
"I'm fine" Neil replied. "I'm not looking for anything, I'm way too busy here."
"And in the little downtime you have, you should date! Summer is the best time to meet someone. People wear less clothes and the ones they do wear are a lot tighter!"
"Are you for real? I spend most of my life in scrubs or a white coat you idiot! Neither of which are particularly eye catching" he laughed.
"Well, you're the only one that seems to think so" Kevin laughed. "Come on, get on board. Get a life" he pushed, laughing as Neil just shook his head in response.
"I'm not saying you need a girlfriend..."
"Are we back in high school here or something?" Neil exclaimed.
"Let me finish" Kevin scolded. "I'm not saying you need a girlfriend or that you have to marry the next woman who makes eye contact but you're young, free and single. Have some fun."
"Fine" he mumbled.
"Pardon?"
"Fine" he repeated. "Maybe I'll consider it."
"Nope, I need more of a commitment" Kevin laughed. "Next person to ask you out, you say yes."
"Will it shut you up?" he sighed.
"Yes" Kevin replied as a matter of fact.
"Deal" he laughed holding out his hand for Kevin to shake on it.
"Deal" Kevin repeated. "This is going to be great" he laughed sitting back in his seat, linking his hands behind his head. "This could be very entertaining."
X
"Well you've opened a can of worms, haven't you?" Jo casually remarked to Audrey as they changed day for their shift later that day.
"What are you talking about?" Audrey replied looking confused.
"The conversation you had with Nurse Davies?" she hinted and Audrey just shook her head slowly. "About Neil?"
"Oh that" she replied. "That was weird. She wanted to know if we were... you know."
"I know" Jo replied. "You were apparently seen last week at the movies looking cosy."
"What? No! Cosy how? We sat together but that's it."
"No strolling along arm in arm?" Jo pushed.
"Oh, that" Audrey replied.
"Yeah, that" Jo laughed. "So when you confirmed you guys are just friends, seems people have taken that as a green light that he's on the market!" Jo smiled. "Kev said he's been asked out three times this week already!"
"Wow" was the only response Audrey could muster.
"Yeah wow" she laughed. "You wait until he figures out this is your doing" she teased.
"He won't mind, I'm sure" Audrey said trying to sound blasé as she tied her hair up into her signature bun.
"I'm sure we'll find out soon enough" Jo replied as they headed out to handover.
X
"I've made him promise to accept the next date he's asked on" Kevin whispered to Jo as they milled around for a few moments after handover was finished.
"You did what?!" she exclaimed a little too loudly, causing some heads to turn. "Why would you do that?" she asked more hushed. "What were you thinking?"
"I was thinking about Neil" Kevin hissed. "He is so far in the friend zone with Audrey that I don't think there is any way back from it. He deserves to be happy, doesn't he?"
"He does" Jo agreed, looking glum. "But what about Audrey?"
"She's not getting divorced for at least another year" he stated. "And then who knows? If she decides then to carry on as just friends, it'll break his heart."
"I hate it when you're right?"
"I know" Kevin replied casually draping his arm over her shoulder. "You think you'd be used to it by now" he smirked.
"Well all I can say, is that we'd best get ready to pick up any pieces then" Jo said grimacing up at him.
X
The next day, waiting in line for his coffee Neil stood chatting to a technician from the radiology department. They passed the time while the barista prepared their drinks and then he heard the words...
"Do you want to sit?" she asked nodding towards an empty table nearby.
He was about to make his excuses but he heard the devil on his shoulder with Kevin's voice reminding him of their deal.
"Sure" he smiled, holding out his hand to indicate she should lead the way. They sat at a small table near the window and carried on talking while they drank their coffees.
"I'd best get back" she said eventually. "Was nice to meet you properly Neil."
"You too, Louise" he smiled as they stood and moved to drop their empty cups in trash. "Maybe we could do this again?" he asked feeling bold.
"That'd be nice. You know where to find me" she said with a smile as she turned to walk away.
He smiled as he watched her leave thinking to himself that coffee probably didn't count as a date in Kevin's eyes. Maybe they could do better.