Eight
Ava
The automated doors open upon walking toward them, and a deep breath escapes me.
Stepping inside the main entrance, I’m immediately confronted by the sterile environment. The pungent smell of cleaning supplies or possibly sanitizer engulfs my senses, but I do my best to ignore it despite my queasy stomach.
As I walk to the reception desk, a few people are waiting in line. It moves quickly, and when it becomes my turn, I smile politely at the older lady behind the Perspex glass.
“I’m here to see Dr. Austin Carter,” I say, trying to remain calm. “Could you please tell me which ward I can find him in?”
The lady types in her computer, barely acknowledging me.
“Dr. Carter is in ER. You’re best to head over there. Turn left, then follow the signs down the hall.”
I thank her before turning left to follow her directions. Without even realizing it, I lower my head to avoid making eye contact with people. I’m not fond of hospitals, and then it hits me—five months until I am here pushing a baby out of my vagina.
My breathing falters, the air surrounding me becomes stifling hot. Finally, I stop in my tracks, retrieving a water bottle from my bag to take a long sip. Instantly, my temperature stabilizes, allowing me to continue my hunt for Austin.
The ER has a completely different vibe. Everything is fast-paced with First Responders in and out of the large doors. A woman lying on a stretcher is brought in with what appears to be some sort of neck or back injury if her neck brace is anything to go by. I thank my lucky stars she isn’t covered in blood because I would have fainted on the spot.
The waiting room is full, though I try my hardest not to stare at patients sitting miserably in plastic chairs. No one is waiting at the reception, so I quickly make my way over and ask for Austin.
“If you walk down this corrid
or, there’s a small desk on the right. Jennifer can help you locate him.”
“Thank you,” I tell her.
The corridor isn’t as long as the other one. I continue to walk down, and just when I spot the desk, my attention is drawn to laughter ahead of me.
My glance shifts toward Austin conversing with a woman. They are both wearing scrubs, laughing at something together. I suspect it’s his colleague until he raises his hand to brush a loose strand of hair away from her face before whispering something in her ear.
Avert my eyes momentarily, I try to ignore the tightness in my chest while struggling to find the courage to go through with this. But unfortunately, the temptation to run in the opposite direction sounds more and more like the easiest thing to do until it becomes too late.
His deep hazel eyes have locked onto mine.
And something inside of me shifts, almost freezing me on the spot.
“Hey, Austin.”
Forcing a smile, I place my hands in the pockets of my jeans. The waist is a bit too tight, and I’m certain this will be the last time I wear them. I chose to wear a loose white blouse to be more comfortable with a pair of yellow Manolo Blahniks I’d only bought last month. Soon, gorgeous heels like this will mock me from my closet.
Austin raises his brow as the woman beside him glances at me. “Ava? What are you doing here?”
“I need to talk to you in private. Is there somewhere we can go?”
“Yes, of course,” he responds, still perplexed as to my visit. Then, after a few awkward seconds, Austin shakes his head as if he forgot something. “Sorry, I should’ve introduced you to Lane. Lane, this is Ava, an old friend of mine.”
Lane extends her hand. “Nice to meet you, Ava.”
There’s nothing at all bitchy nor stuck-up about her. Her ginger hair, and chocolate-colored eyes, make her look simple, but not in a bad way. In a natural, there’s-nothing-fake-about-me way. Although I’ve requested to speak to Austin—who appears to be her boyfriend—in private, her smile doesn’t waver.
“How about we take a walk outside?” Austin suggests, his smile still lingering. “I was just about to go on a break.”
“Sure.”
He kisses Lane goodbye on the cheek as I purposely glance at the wall. Then, we slowly walk down the corridor in silence until the brisk air meets us. Although it’s spring now, which means we would usually be privy to the sun shining and warm air, today is unusually cold, quite like my mood.