“Not how it works.”
“What if you called in sick?”
“I’m not sick.”
“Physically, maybe, but you are entitled to mental health days,” Lila probed, trying to get Heidi to see the advantage to taking care of herself. That was more important than anything. Heidi needed to be well to take care of her clients and kids who she worked with.
“I can’t call in.”
“Think about it, please. I know it’ll be hard, but you can do it.”
“Not this time,” Heidi reiterated.
“Okay.” Lila wasn’t going to fight her on it. It was Heidi’s job and life after all, but she did wish she knew her better to be able to try and convince her. It would be better for her all around if she took care of herself first. The few times they had spoken, all Lila could think was Heidi was reaching out for something, desperate to try and make a connection somewhere. “Will you call me if you need me?”
“Yeah. It might be good to talk to you.”
“I bet it would.” Lila sighed. She’d wanted a fun weekend, but it seemed as though her weekend was going to be spent alone, far different than she’d planned. It would be fine, but still not what she’d expected.
“I’d like to see you again.”
Lila’s brow drew together. “You want to? Even with everything going on?”
“I do.” Heidi sounded confident in her answer, so Lila was going to take it for what it was.
“I wouldn’t mind. I have some time Monday if you do.”
“I’ll have to see what’s going on with this new case, but I’d like to.”
“Call me, then. Let’s get together.”
“Good.”
Lila could almost hear the smile in Heidi’s voice.
“I’ve got to go, but…thank you for calling, Lila. Really. It helped more than you know.”
“I’m glad. I’ll talk to you soon, Heidi.”
“I’llseeyou soon.”
“Yeah, that.” Giggling lightly, Lila hung up. She held her phone close to her chest as she grinned. She was glad she’d called. It sounded as though she’d been able to offer some kind of hope and comfort for Heidi in the process. It was a good twist to a day that had not started so well. She’d try to get hold of Ann later and check in with her. Maybe she could call up one of her previous dates and see if they were busy that weekend. Yes, she would do that for sure.
* * *
It had been five days since Lila had heard from Ann. She’d actually heard more from Heidi, which had been good, but they hadn’t found time to meet up yet. Lila had gone through each of her workdays barely even noticing them. She was so focused on Ann and Heidi. Ann who came into her life like a woman on a power trip, desperate for someone to pay a lick of attention to her, and Heidi, a woman desperate for connection.
If she thought about it, they weren’t all that different in what they were seeking. Lila had just been the lucky one to find them both. And she got just as much from them, at least so far. She and Heidi hadn’t had much of a chance to explore their potential for a relationship yet.
Lila wanted to, though. Heidi intrigued her. Walking through the halls in the hospital, she took her tablet to make her rounds for orders. It was her routine, and while she normally saw Ann during her routine, the ICU had been full and busy every time she’d stepped through the doors that week, and Ann had left the list of items with someone else or just on the counter itself.
The emergency room was calm, for once. It was kind of odd. Granted, Lila was earlier than normal for her rounds, but the emergency room was never this quiet. Lila looked around as she stopped by the nurses station. Jerica Alvarez, the beautiful Hispanic nurse Lila had spent the majority of her weekend off with, stood behind the counter with her face in paperwork, her brow furrowed, and her long wavy hair pulled back into a single braid.
“Hey, Jer.”
Jerica’s chin jerked up. “Lila! Is it time for ordering already?”
Giving Jerica the best smile she could, Lila brushed her blonde curls behind her ear and put on the most flirtatious look she could. “I’m a bit early.”