POV Jess
Because of my shift change tomorrow, I took today off; otherwise, I'd be working two straight shifts. Chloe is taking over my patients tonight because two of hers from last night were discharged this morning. Not that she is willingly takes over my patients; Lucy, the charge nurse, is taking one of them, and the rest were arranged for Chloe to handle.
I'm scanning my closet for something to wear for Charlotte's bachelorette party tomorrow night when my phone starts ringing. I'm expecting it to be my mom trying to find another way to form my life the way she wants it to be but when I grab my phone it's Nancy's name that is lighting up my screen. Shit..please don't tell me she's backing out on covering my shift tomorrow night.
I'm reluctant to answer, "Hello?"
"Jessica honey, I'm so sorry to bother you on your day off, I'm having a bit of a dilemma here..,"
"It's okay Nancy, you're not ever a bother, what's up?"
Great here comes the bomb..
"It's about Cole, he had a breakdown and I asked if there was someone I could call for him, I meant a family member or friend but he said you, Jessica."
Nancy is continuing to talk but the static silence in my head has me in an alternate dimension. I don't know what to think about what she said. I was light-years away from ever expecting that. Why would Cole say my name of all people?
"Do you want to talk to him? I can hand him my phone." I'm brought back to reality with the question.
"Umm, no Nancy, I don't have anything going on, I'll stop in for a visit." I don't know what the hell I'm agreeing to.
"Oh sweetie you don't have to do that, a simple phone call I'm sure will be fine enough," she suggests instead.
"It's okay, really. I'll be there in about an hour."
"Only if it's not too much trouble," Nancy voices.
"It's not at all, I'll see you soon," and with that, we say our goodbyes and I'm alone with my overactive mind.
I'm really starting to feel bad for Cole but I know if I tell him the truth it'll only make things worse, right now there's a battle in his head and I don't want to make it Armageddon.
I now not only need to find that dress for tomorrow but I also have to find something to wear to the hospital other than the silky pajamas I'm currently in. I planned to be an absolute low life today but ah well, it'll probably do me some good to leave the house.
Ten minutes later and I have found a dress for tomorrow night. A black mini dress that has super thin spaghetti straps, tight all over, falls mid thigh, and low cut where it matters. It's been a while since I've really dressed up or partied and I'm a little excited for it because life has been extremely vanilla lately.
I opt for distressed ripped skinny jeans, a light brown, long-sleeved shirt with a few cute buttons that fall down the chest area, and a pair of matching light brown knee-high boots. I'm leaving my hair simple by doing it in a messy bun and adding a couple coats of mascara, other than that I'm leaving all the heavy makeup for tomorrow.
…
It's just after five o'clock when I arrive at Harborview. Thank god I don't work today, Halloween night, not to mention it has fallen on a Friday this year so there's no doubt in my mind the emergency department will be pure chaos and our floor is sure to inherit at least a third of them. The lobby is pretty empty so far but I've seen this before, in a few hours costumed people will be lingering around the whole floor.
I'm standing at the elevator doors waiting for it to open when I hear Roman's voice from behind me in the distance.
"Hold the door please!" He calls out.
I turn around just as the doors begin to part, "Hey Roman!"
"Jess? Wow wasn't expecting you," he scans me head to toe. "What are you doing here? Thought you took today off."
"Yeah I did, just.." How do I explain I'm here to see a patient off hours? Is that even okay to do? Change the subject, Jess.
"I'm just stopping by is all, ready for the craziness tonight?" I ask. Okay, that was smooth enough for him not to pry any further.
He chuckles and shakes his head, he extends his hand out to the elevator, "After you."
I step in and wait for him to join in as we wait for the doors to close.
"What's in the bag? It smells good," he says pointing down at the white grocery bag.
"Terra plata."
He nods his head and his face turns more serious than usual like he's got a cluster of thoughts lodged in his head.
"Is something wrong?" I ask curiously, he's been pretty off lately but I'm trying not to overstep.
"No, I mean, I don't know, I'm just.." he starts but evidently is having trouble finishing.
I place a comforting hand on his arm and he stares at it intently, my cheeks redden out of embarrassment at my boldness. I go to lift my hand off of him but as it just barely hovers above him, he takes my hand in his. The interaction sends waves of heat coursing throughout my entire body. I'm forgetting how to breathe correctly, like autopilot has been disabled. We both stare at our intertwined fingers, slowly our eyes meet and the fire in his green eyes are burning profusely at me and I'm sure mine are at an equal inferno.
"Jess.." my name leaves his lips ever so slowly the sound alone ready to make me orgasm on the spot.
My lips part to reply but before sound can escape, his lips are on mine, unbelievably soft and velvety lips. Both of his hands come up just under my ears as he deepens the kiss, running his tongue on my lower lip and then entangling it with mine. The doors to the elevator are just starting to separate, we pull away from each other and the absence of his lips and hands on me makes me want to mourn the loss.
When the doors are wide open a couple stands on the other side hand in hand waiting their turn on the elevator. Roman gives them a small nod in greeting and walks away, back turned to me and on a mission to flee. I don't know what to make of what just happened. Within three minutes, I have experienced every human emotion out there. The one that is resonating with me most at this moment would have to be hurt. The way he was desperate to run away as soon as he was out of his lust-filled state and back to a clear head like it was a mistake. The hopeful part of me wonders if he was just afraid of getting caught and wanted to keep it under wraps. Nonetheless, he came on to me.