Chapter Four

Violette

I take a sip of my latte, watching Brinley with amusement as she defended her unusual pizza topping preference. "I'm telling you, Violette, pineapple is the best," she said, her eyes sparkling with conviction.

I raised an eyebrow, laughing. "You can't be serious. Pineapple on pizza is a travesty."

Brinley chuckled, her blonde hair bouncing with the movement. "You're just not adventurous enough, Violette. The sweetness of the pineapple balances out the savory flavors of the cheese and sauce. It's genius."

I shook my head, grinning. "I think you've been working too many long shifts in the ICU. You're losing your grip on reality."

Brinley playfully rolled her eyes. "Hey, ICU nurses are the sanest people I know. We're just more... creative in our thinking, that's all."

I gazed out the cafe window, watching the city come to life. The Chicago streets were bustling as always, with pedestrians rushing back and forth on their morning commutes. The sounds of car horns, chatter, and construction filled the air, creating a vibrant atmosphere that was quintessentially Chicago. At 10:56 am, the sidewalks were particularly crowded, with people on their way to meetings, grabbing lunch, or running errands during their breaks. The smell of freshly brewed coffee wafted out of the cafe, mingling with the scent of exhaust fumes and the sweet aroma of street vendors selling everything from hot dogs to flowers.

Brinley noticed my gaze and followed it out the window. "I love days like this," she said, smiling. "There's something about the energy of the city that just makes me feel alive."

I nod in agreement, turning my attention back to her.

I lean back in my chair, cradling my latte in my hands. "I've finally decided to take a month off from work. I need a break from all the chaos."

Brinley's eyes widen. "That's amazing! You deserve it. What made you decide to take the plunge?"

I smiled, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "I've just been feeling burnt out lately. I need some time to recharge. And to be honest, I'm also dealing with some personal stuff. My best friend Aria's sister just asked me to be a bridesmaid, and I'm torn."

Brinley's expression turned curious. "Aww, that's a big deal! What's holding you back?"

I sighed. "I'm just not sure if I'm ready for all the drama that comes with being in a wedding party. But Aria's been my rock for years, so I feel obligated."

Brinley nodded thoughtfully. "You should take some time to think about it. Maybe your break will give you some clarity."

I smiled wistfully, thinking about Aria's sister's wedding. "No, I already accepted the offer. I need to be there for Aria. She's my best friend, and I couldn't imagine celebrating her sister's special day without her."

Brinley nodded understandingly. "That's really sweet of you.”

I nodded, feeling a surge of excitement mixed with nervousness. "I'm actually really looking forward to being a part of the wedding. It's just... all the responsibilities that come with it are making me anxious."

Brinley's expression softened. "I get it. But I'm sure you'll figure it out. You're great with people, and you'll make Aria's sister's day even more special."

I took a deep breath, feeling a sense of determination wash over me. "You're right. I'll make it work. For Aria's sake, and for her sister's."

Brinley smiles and gives my hand a squeeze.

We sipped our lattes. Brinley leaned in, a sly grin spreading across her face. "Hey, did you see Anna from radiology flirting with Dr. Jim Smith earlier?"

I raised an eyebrow, thinking back to when Dr. Smith asked me out and I promptly shut him down. What an ego he had, thinking he'd be a catch. "Dr. Jim Smith? Isn't he one of the new residents?" I said aloud, trying to keep my tone neutral.

Brinley nodded. "Yeah, he's the youngest doctor on our floor. And Anna has a total crush on him."

Just then, Dr. Jim Smith walked into the coffee shop, and Brinley murmured under her breath, "Speak of the devil."

We watched as he went to the counter and ordered a takeout coffee. He waited for his drink to be prepared, and when he picked it up, his eyes scanned the room. When he spotted us, he smiled and waved, then made his way over to our table.

"Hey, ladies! Mind if I join you?" he asked, already pulling up a chair.

I raised an eyebrow as he sat down without waiting for an invitation. "Not at all, Dr. Smith," I said dryly.

Dr. Smith leaned back in his chair, looking relaxed. "So, Violette, I've been wondering... are you playing hard to get, or are you just naturally beautiful and uninterested?"

Brinley's eyes widened in shock as she turned to me, her expression saying, "Wait, what?" She clearly did not know he had asked me out.

I took a deep breath, my eyes locking onto Dr. Smith's. "Dr. Smith, I'm not playing hard to get. I'm just not interested in people who think they're God's gift to medicine... or women."

Brinley's shock turned to amusement, and she struggled to stifle a laugh. Dr. Smith's smile faltered, and he looked taken aback by my response.

"Well, I think that's a wrap, Dr. Smith. You can add 'not God's gift' to your list of shortcomings," I said, standing up.

Brinley followed me out of the coffee shop, and I walked out with my chin held high. "Well, that was fun."

Brinley grinned. "You're a queen, Violette. Don't ever let anyone make you feel otherwise. And by the way, spill the tea—when did he ask you out?"

"Promise I'll tell you later," I said, smiling mischievously. "But for now, let's get going. We don't want to be late."

Brinley grinned and nodded. "Okay, deal. But I'm holding you to that."

We crossed the street, dodging pedestrians and cars, and made our way to the hospital entrance. 

I turned to Brinley. "I'll be right back. I need to grab my stuff from my car in the parking lot."

Brinley nodded. "Okay, I'll meet you at the nurses' station. See you in a minute!"

I smiled and headed towards the parking lot, while Brinley went ahead into the hospital.

I walked through the parking lot, the crisp January air still biting, but thankfully it was one of those warmer days. I made my way to my Tesla, parked in its usual spot, and opened the passenger door to grab my stuff. I snatched my Stanley cup and purse, slung the purse over my shoulder, and tucked the cup into the crook of my arm. 

With my belongings secure, I locked the car and began my trek towards the elevator at the far end of the lot. As I walked, the sound of my sneakers echoed off the walls, and the fluorescent lights above cast a sterile glow over everything. I quickened my pace, my eyes fixed on the elevator doors, eager to get to the hospital floor and start my shift.

As I walked towards the elevator, I caught sight of a car with its window rolled down, smoke curling out into the crisp air. My eyes narrowed in disgust. People who smoke are literally, suicidal, knowingly poisoning themselves with every drag. It was like watching someone slowly deteriorate, and they just couldn't stop. I detest smokers, the way they prioritized their nicotine fix over their own health and the surrounding people.

Over 21,917 people die every day from smoking and smoking-adjacent things, and part of me feels like “you know what, you invited death to the table by smoking, you idiots” but then actually, over 10 percent of those 21,917 people (which is over 2,190) who die every day because of cigarettes die because someone else smoked them? That’s not fair.

But I suppose not much about death is.

I approached the car; the driver was sitting with his side profile to me, his eyes fixed on his phone as he took a drag on his cigarette. I cleared my throat to get his attention. 

“Excuse me, smoking isn't allowed here. You're in a hospital parking lot."

He slowly looks up, his gaze shifting from his phone to me. When he finally turns, his entire face came into view, and I felt my breath catch. Chiseled features, piercing eyes, and a strong jawline... I was taken aback. For a moment, I forgot why I was there. "Smoking's not allowed," I repeated, trying to sound firm despite my sudden distraction.

He exhales a plume of smoke slowly, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat. A hint of a smile played on his lips, and I felt a flutter in my chest. 

“Who's going to stop me?" he asks, his deep voice dripping with confidence, as if daring anyone to try.

For a moment, I forgot what I was doing. I forgot about the hospital, the no-smoking rule, everything. All I could see was him—the sharp jawline, the piercing eyes, the chiseled features. His dark hair was perfectly styled, and his Italian accent was like music to my ears.

I stood there frozen, my eyes locked on his. The smoke from his cigarette curled around us, but I barely noticed. All I could think about was the way he looked at me, the way he spoke. It was like time had stopped, and all that existed was the two of us.

The elevator door dinged and slid open, and I looked up to see who was emerging. A woman stepped out, exuding confidence and glamour. She was dressed in a sleek black Chanel dress that hugged her curves perfectly, paired with a pair of Louboutin heels that clicked on the pavement as she approached the car. Her oversized Gucci sunglasses perched on her face, adding to her air of sophistication. She was wrapped in a luxurious Moncler coat, its puffy design making her look like a stylish snow queen.

As she approached the car, I stood frozen, still trying to process the intensity of the mystery guy's gaze. When she reached the passenger door, she turned to me and asked, "Everything okay here?" I nodded, still feeling a bit taken aback.

I glanced down at the mystery guy, and our eyes met. He was staring right at me, his gaze piercing. I quickly looked away and snatched the cigarette from his hand, which was dangling outside the window.

I turned and walked away, and the woman's door closed behind me. The car was still parked, its engine purring softly. I made my way back to the elevator, noticing the cigarette was still burning. I threw it on the floor and stomped my foot on it to put it out. The ember died, and I picked up the butt.

I approached the elevator and tossed the cigarette into the trash can by the doors. The metal lid clanged shut, and I stepped into the elevator. 

The doors slid shut, and I stood there, still feeling the intensity of the mystery guy's gaze lingering in my mind.