Red knew he should have taken his ass home, but he figured he could use a distraction. He’d just left Uncle Cal. The older man had called him earlier in the morning to speak with him about legal business. He almost wished he hadn’t answered the phone. Uncle Cal was dying, and he planned on telling Cali very soon.
It tore him up inside that he couldn’t go to her, let her know that he was there for her. He couldn’t even tell her that he knew anything. Finding out that her uncle—the only family she had left—was dying was going to be devastating. Now, she had to deal with another person leaving her life, never to return.
“Hey you,” Dr. Love said with a wide grin. Instead of scrubs, she was wearing a pantsuit under her white coat. Her hair was pulled back into a tight bun. “I’m glad you called. What brings you here?”
Calling Love had been a huge step for Red. After he left Uncle Cal he tried to concentrate on work, to no avail. His thoughts were running a mile a minute and most of them were about Cali—their failed attempt at breaking things off, his need to constantly be in her presence, and now Uncle Cal’s health. He figured spending time with someone who wasn’t connected to him or his life would be a welcome reprieve.
“I figured I’d take my chances, ask you to have lunch with me?” he asked. The hospital was buzzing with activity as usual. Love glanced around as if looking for someone. “Or do you have plans?”
“No plans. I was looking for my friend. But he’s late and I’m starved, so let’s go.”
They strolled at a leisurely pace to the cafeteria. Once he finally narrowed down his top three choices on the menu, he ordered and waited. Red wondered why he was there. He liked Love, and that’s why he should have stayed far away from her. It wasn’t fair to act like he was available when, in his heart, he wasn’t.
“Red?” Love asked, tilting her head to the side. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” The cafeteria worker handed him his burger and fries and they went to the register to pay.
Out in the huge, open eating area, they found an isolated booth and sat down. They ate in silence for a few minutes. Red tried to come up with a witty question or joke, but he kept coming up empty.
“You know what?” She pointed her fork at him. “You’re quiet today. I never pegged you to be a quiet person. Is there something wrong?”
“I’m good.” Except for the fact that he was blowing it. He was with a beautiful, intelligent woman. He would be an idiot to not go for it with her. In theory, Dr. Love was perfect. But she wasn’t Cali.
“I’m a good listener. Maybe I can help,” she offered. “And I won’t spill your secrets.”
He smirked. “I won’t bore you with my stuff. How are you?” he asked, plastering a smile on his face.
“I’m fine. Coming off a twenty-four hour rotation,” she told him. “Any minute I’m going to pass out from exhaustion. But other than that, I’m good. It would be nice to get out of this cold weather, though.”
“Yeah, a vacation would be nice right about now. I could use an all-inclusive beach resort and a few drinks.”
She raised a brow. “Is it work?” she asked.
“No. It’s… I made a mistake and I’m trying to figure out how to not make that same mistake again. But at the same time, I want to. You see the dilemma?”
“Not really. If you don’t want to make the mistake, don’t do it.”
Makes sense, he thought. “But sometimes the things that don’t make sense are very tempting.”
She laughed. “You have a point. I guess I’m more of the mind frame that if it doesn’t make sense, run far away… Just don’t do it. It’s not even worth it. God gave us common sense for a reason.” She paused for a second. “Does this have to do with a woman?”
Direct, and straight to the point. “Wow, you came right out with it,” he told her. “Why would you think that?”
“Well, for one thing, my best friend is a man,” she said, wiping her mouth with her napkin. “I have an idea of what a man with woman problems looks like. It’s all over your face.”
“You don’t miss anything, do you?” He was impressed. Another reason why he should be happy he was free to pursue something with her.
“Actually, I miss a lot,” she admitted. “I tend to have my nose buried in patient files too much to notice much. But since we’re sitting here having lunch and everything, I have some time to study you.”
“Oh, you’re studying me, huh?”
“Something like that.” She squinted her eyes at him, arched a brow. “So who is she?”
“Um, I’m trying to work up to you accepting my dinner invitation,” he said. “Why would I tell you about another woman?”
“Because. You’re cute and all, but…” The corners of her mouth quirked up and she leaned in closer to him. “I can’t date you so I figure we can be good friends.”
He met her grin with one of his own. “Really? My game must be whack.”
“No, you’re quite charming, but I’m not looking for a ‘boo.’ I have too much going on right now, with boards coming soon and figuring out whether I want to apply for this fellowship.” She tapped a finger on the table. “So who is Calisa to you?”
“Wha—what do you mean?” he stuttered. “We’re friends.”
“What kind of friends?” she questioned. “And I think I hit the nail on the head judging by your reaction.”
“Why?”
“Well, she’s standing over there mean mugging me.” She pointed to his left.
Red whirled around and noticed Cali standing a few feet away. She had a tray in her hand. Her eyes were puffy and swollen.
“She looks upset,” Love said. “Maybe you should go talk to her.”
Red agreed, but he didn’t have to go talk to her because she stomped over to the table and slammed her tray down.
“Red, I’ve been trying to reach you for the past hour,” she hissed.
Frowning, he picked up his cell phone and browsed the call history. “Oh, I had it on silent, Cali. What’s going on?”
“It’s Syd,” she cried. “She’s here.”
He jumped up. “What? Why?”
“Earlier today, she had some severe pains and I had to call the ambulance,” she explained, her voice thick with tears.
Red took off, racing toward wherever Syd was before he realized he didn’t know which way to go. Guess I should have asked where. Love was right behind him, though, giving him directions to the maternity emergency area. His legs were burning and his heart was beating hard in his chest when he eventually passed a giant Big Bird sculpture in the hallway. Love got ahead of him and grabbed hold of his arm, turning him toward a short hallway and the staff elevators. She pushed the button frantically and he bent down to catch his breath.
He glanced up. Cali had kept up, too, and was standing in front of him holding a sandwich. Tears were streaming down her cheeks and he fought the urge to go to her. He hated to see her hurt or in pain—no matter what she did, he always wanted to be her comforter. But he knew that if he continued to make himself available to her he’d never be able to move on, and riding to her rescue would probably be his downfall. Besides, right now, Syd was more important. The elevator doors slid open and they rushed in. Love punched the floor number and they ascended.
When the doors opened, he burst through them and ran to the information desk. “Sydney Williams?” he said to the worker. Red struggled to breathe—he should’ve had his ass at the gym.
“Red? She’s down that hall,” Cali pointed left.
“Let me check her chart,” Love said, rounding the desk. She typed something into the keyboard there. “I’ll be right down. It’s room A4.”
He bolted down the hall, looking at the room numbers along the way. The door to A4 was cracked open a little bit and he could hear voices. He knocked, but entered before anyone inside gave him the okay.
“Red?” Syd croaked, her voice raspy with tears.
“Syd,” he said, rushing to her side. “I’m here.”
He gave his sister the once-over, noting all the machines and the big belt-like thing around her stomach. “It’s early. Is it actual labor?”
Love entered the room. “You are in labor. I have a call in to the attending physician.” She patted Syd’s hand. “It’s going to be okay. We’re going to do everything we have to to keep this baby in there for a while longer.”
“Thank you, Love,” Syd cried. “Are you on call?”
“I’m actually off the clock, but I’ll be in the hospital for a little while longer,” Love assured Syd.
Red waited until Love met his gaze and mouthed “thank you” to her. She smiled and walked out of the room with a nurse.
Turning to Syd, he asked, “Did you call Morgan?”
“I did,” Cali announced.
“I told you not to call him,” Syd said to Cali. “I don’t want him to worry.”
Red ran a hand over Syd’s hair. “He deserves to know.”
“He’s coming,” Cali added, taking a bite of her sandwich.
“How can you eat right now?” Red asked her incredulously.
“I’ve been here for a while, Red,” Cali said. “They had to run some tests, so I decided to go to the cafeteria. Luckily I did because I ended up finding you and the doctor eating.”
Syd moaned as she struggled to sit up in the bed. “Ouch. What? You were having lunch with Love?”
Red sighed. “Yes.” He hooked a hand under her armpit and helped her get comfortable. “It was no big deal. Just lunch.” He eyed Cali across the room. She was staring down at her feet, the sandwich in her hand forgotten. Turning to Syd, he adjusted her pillow. “I think you’re doing too much, Syd. Maybe you should stay in the bed.”
“I have no choice,” Syd said. “I heard the doctor whisper ‘bed rest’ earlier. That’s going to suck.”
“At least Morgan will be here to wait on you hand and foot,” Cali pointed out.
“You have a big mouth,” Syd hissed. “He’s probably blowing everyone’s head off trying to get here. I can see it now.”
Red snickered. “Yeah, I’m sure someone has gotten cussed out.”
Syd let out a series of short breaths and groaned. “This shit hurts. If it wasn’t so early, I’d demand an epidural or a C-section. Oh God, make it stop.”
“You want me to call Love back in here. She’s probably still close by?” he asked.
“I’ll just get a nurse,” Cali offered in a flat, monotone voice. She wrapped the sandwich up and tossed it in the trash.
“You’re not going to finish that, Cali?” Syd asked, concern in her eyes. “What’s going on between you two? Cali, why are you so quiet?”
“I’m not hungry anymore, Syd. Can’t focus on food when you’re in pain.” Cali glanced at Red before averting her gaze.
Syd grimaced. “My back is hurting. Can you rub my back, Red?”
He sat down on her hospital bed and began massaging Syd’s back gently.
Things had never been so strained between them. Cali tried to hide it, but he knew she was bothered by his lunch date with Love.
There was a knock on the door and Love poked her head back in. “Hi.” She brought in a laptop and set it up on a small desk in the corner. “So I’ve talked to the attending, and this is what we’re going to do.” She explained that Syd was dehydrated, which had caused the premature labor. They were going to push IV fluids and start her on a magnesium drip to stop the contractions. She had to stay overnight so they could monitor her. “Any questions?” Love asked after she went over everything.
“No,” Syd told her. “Thanks for everything. I’m so glad you’re here.”
“But you should probably go home and get some sleep,” Red told Love. “You’ve been here a long time.”
“I’m going to head over to the lounge and take a quick nap,” Love said. “I said I’d be around and I will. At least until we get these contractions under control.”
Syd yawned. “You’re awesome.”
Love stood up. “Try and get some rest, okay?”
Syd nodded and turned onto her side. “I’m going to try.”
“I’ll make sure of it,” Red said. “No worries. I’ll walk you out, Love.”
Red followed Love out of the room. “I’m sorry about lunch. I owe you one,” he said.
She patted him on the arm. “It’s okay. Everything worked out. I wouldn’t have been here if we hadn’t stopped for lunch.”
They walked slowly down the hall. “So is she really going to be okay?” he asked.
“I’m going to do my best to make sure she is,” she assured him. “Don’t worry. I know it’s hard, but we see this often.”
He nodded, grateful for Dr. Love. He needed her calming presence in that moment. “Thanks again.”
“Is Cali upset with you?” she asked, changing the subject.
He shrugged. “She’s always upset about something.”
“You can answer my question at any time, ya know?” she pressed.
Stuffing his hands into his pockets, he asked, “What question?”
“About the type of friends you and Calisa are.”
“Oh, that question.” He knew what she was getting at, but he wasn’t sure he wanted to tell her. Although the thought of talking to someone impartial sounded good. “Let’s just say we’re the type of friends that don’t belong together.”
“But you want it to be different?”
“You should have gone to law school,” he told her. “I object. You’re badgering the witness.”
She giggled. “That’s not an answer.”
Figuring this conversation was going to keep going around in circles, he finally told her, “Maybe.”
“Is that your final answer?”
“Yes. I wanted it to be different.” His answer shocked even him. He’d just met Dr. Love and was already telling her his secrets.
“I’m sorry,” she said, her eyes sad—for him.
“Don’t do that.” He waved her off. The last thing he needed was pity.
“What?” she asked innocently.
“Look at me like I’m a sorry sucka.”
She laughed again, nudging him with her shoulder. “I meant that I’m sorry you can’t have the woman you want. Everyone deserves a little happiness.”
“Cali doesn’t want the same things I do,” he explained. “She wants her career, she wants to be free, not tied down.”
“What do you want?” she asked.
“Truthfully, I don’t know anymore.” He hunched his shoulders. “I thought I knew, but lately I’ve realized that I want more than my career, a nice ride, and a luxury condo. At the end of the day, I go home alone.”
“Yeah,” she agreed. “I like alone, though.”
“You say that now, but one day some man is going to change that.”
“Like Cali changed that in you?”
“Not just Cali.” He heard the sound of a machine in the near distance. “I have a daughter. And I have no idea where she is. Her mother disappeared into thin air, and I’ve been trying to find her. Finding out I’m a father did change my view on a lot of things, especially relationships.”
“Wow, I’m sorry. I pray you find your daughter soon.”
“Me too.”
They reached the lounge and she turned to him. “Maybe your problems with Cali aren’t insurmountable. Sometimes a sincere and honest conversation will make the difference. Think about it,” she said, giving him a quick hug. “And go in there and hold your sister’s hand.”
He heard a crash in the hallway and turned toward the noise, scanning the area, but when he didn’t see anything he headed back toward Syd’s room.