Page 23 of Rounds (Love In Scrubs)

“ Y ou’ve been smiling a whole lot lately, even more than you used to when you and Jaunté were on good terms. What’s up wit’chu?”

I glanced over at Tremeka, and said, “I’m just happy. I’m going to my mother’s house for dinner Sunday and that has me excited.”

“Mm-hmm. I feel like you’re leaving me in the dark on some shit, but I’m gon’ figure shit out.”

I chuckled as she walked away. Glover and I had kept our relationship under wraps at work for a little bit.

That wasn’t his decision. He was ready to tell the world about us.

I wanted to give myself time. I knew my co-workers would try to talk me out of being with him because of his reputation, so I needed to be mentally stronger to endure that.

The man I was getting to know was amazing.

He was perfect in every way, and I honestly couldn’t wait to fall in love with him.

At the rate we were going, I knew it wouldn’t take long.

Last night, he held me close all night. I wasn’t feeling well after I ate all that Chinese food.

He had me go to his room and sleep with him.

I noticed he had a slight issue with sleeping in his parents’ bedroom.

It didn’t seem to bother him just being in it, but to sleep was a whole ’notha story.

It was like his mama visited him in his dreams or something.

I didn’t mind going to the other bedroom, especially if it meant I would be able to lie in his arms all night.

The way he held me close to him, like I would get away, was something I’d missed feeling.

I truly hoped I would never have to miss it again.

Like he said to Jaunté’s ass at the restaurant, he knew how to treat a woman.

I was reaping the benefits of that. I couldn’t wait to see his dad Sunday so I could thank him for raising such a passionate man.

Before I could check for orders on the computer, a delivery guy stepped into the office, holding a beautiful bouquet of roses. “Good morning. I have a delivery for umm . . . Delaney Boot?”

I got that all the time. People around here didn’t know how to pronounce my creole infused last name. “Good morning. Thank you. It’s Boo-Tay.”

“I apologize, ma’am. Have a great day.”

“You also.”

Before I could get back to my desk with them, I saw Tremeka standing there with her hand on her hip. “Did you get back with him?” she asked, clearly irritated.

“Hell naw.”

She huffed. “I was about to be so mad at you. I thought the last bouquet was from him, too, since you still looked upset. You grinning like Cheshire cat today. So who in the fuck sending you a bouquet like this? It has to be expensive,” she asked in a lower tone.

“If I tell you, you have to keep it under wraps. If you don’t think you can, I can’t tell you. My mental isn’t quite prepared for possible backlash.”

Her eyebrows lifted, and her mouth opened. “Is that from Glover Israel?” she asked in a harsh whisper.

I wasn’t sure how she figured that shit out so quickly, but I nodded with a slight smile, then pulled the card from the stem. I opened it to read it, knowing she was looking over my shoulder.

Hey, baby. I just wanted to send you something beautiful to look at so you wouldn’t have to stare in the mirror all day. I mean, these flowers don’t compare, but they should do. See you later. ~Glover

“Oh my God.”

I looked up at her to see her hand to her chest and her eyebrows lifted and scrunched together.

I slowly shook my head, but I couldn’t stop the smile from forming on my lips.

I closed my eyes for a moment, thinking about how much Glover completed me.

He was everything I’d been longing for. He was all the shit I was looking for in the wrong men.

I took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, then opened my eyes to see Tremeka just staring at me.

“That note was so sweet. I would have never imagined he had that in him.”

“He’s so different from what people perceive him to be. He’s kind, tender, and caring. He’s all the things I needed after dealing with Jaunté’s cheating ass.”

“Damn. I’m happy for you, Laney. I hope he continues to be that for you. I would have never thought he could because of the things I heard and witnessed with my own eyes and ears. I’m glad you didn’t tell me when you gave in to him, because I surely would have tried my best to talk you out of it.”

“I know, and because of the mental state I’m climbing out of, I probably would have listened to you and missed out on something beautiful . . . someone perfect for me.”

She hugged me tightly, then pulled away and smiled. “Well, in other Glover Israel news, did you hear that he filed a grievance against a nurse in ER and got her fired?”

I frowned, then my mind went back to that night almost two weeks ago, when I worked the weekend.

It had to be the bitch that pushed me out of the way.

He said he would handle it, and I supposed he did.

“I hadn’t heard, but I think I know who it was.

She pushed me out of the way unnecessarily when a patient coded. He told me he would handle it.”

“Daaaaaamn!” she said, then immediately covered her mouth. I chuckled as she continued. “He is serious about you!”

I looked around to see if anyone was watching us, then said, “All the rumors you heard about me were true. I was sleeping in my fucking car, because Jaunté put me out. My move-in date at the apartment complex got pushed back a month. I couldn’t afford a hotel for a month, so I planned to only sleep there on the weekends.

Glover saw me and insisted I move in with him. I’m living with him, Tremeka.”

I took a deep breath as her eyes widened all over again.

The damn things should have fallen out of their sockets.

After swallowing hard, I continued. “If things continue the way they are, I’m going to fall for him.

He gave Jaunté the business last night at Happy Buddha.

He gives me all the feels. I’m his, Tremeka, and I don’t know why I’m hesitant about telling anyone who wants to know.

He’s shown me in such a short amount of time that he is way more than what lies on the surface.

Fear is holding me captive. I’m glad I can recognize it, so I can give it its walking papers. ”

She hugged me tightly again. I pulled my phone from my pocket and sent him a message. Thank you for the flowers, baby. Can you meet me for lunch at the hospital cafeteria?

When I looked back up at Tremeka, she said, “I’m proud of you, Laney. I wish you nothing but love and success, boo. I better get to work before people start complaining.”

She hugged me yet again and kissed my cheek.

As she walked off, I felt a tear trickle down my cheek.

I’d been holding us back unnecessarily. Fuck what everyone else thought.

I knew what this was between Glover and me.

My phone chimed and when I saw Glover’s message, I chuckled. There were several wide-eyed emojis.

For real? What time?

I slowly shook my head and texted back. 12:30. See you then.

I knew his office closed at noon on Fridays, and he usually spent the rest of his day here at St. Ambrose.

Glover was a workaholic, but I was noticing that whenever I needed him, he made time for me.

It wasn’t often, but I called him during my lunch break one day this week, having a slight panic attack about some shit I heard about him.

He assured me that it was nothing but rumors.

They were saying he’d slept with some nurse in ICU.

We didn’t really talk about him sleeping around much.

The only person that came up was the last woman before me and that she could possibly be a problem.

Other than that, I had to let that other shit go.

I was the only woman he was sleeping with now, although he hadn’t gotten it in a week.

I felt bad about that shit too. He would definitely get all he could handle tonight.

Had it not been for my stomach being upset last night, he would have gotten it then.

My phone chimed with another message from him as I sat here in a haze, thinking about how good of a man he was. I’m happy, baby. I can’t wait to show you affection publicly, claiming you as mine in front of the entire hospital.

I smiled slightly, then gathered my things to get my day started.

When he walked into the cafeteria, he exuded confidence.

He wreaked with it. His stride said boss in every aspect, and I loved every bit of it.

His eyes met mine, and my entire body heated with desire.

Jesus. I stood from my seat, and when he got to me, I hugged him, and he kissed my forehead.

As I pulled away, he lowered his head and kissed my lips.

It seemed like the entire cafeteria was at a standstill.

He chuckled as he grabbed my hand and led me to the line to get baked chicken and vegetables.

I had to add mac and cheese to mine. He glanced at me and licked his lips when he noticed I’d added it.

My cheeks heated up. I wasn’t sure what that look was for, but I was more than sure I would find out as soon as we sat.

We were getting stares from everyone, but no one had said a word. They knew better.

Glover reminded me of AJ from The Resident. He was a smart ass that people refused to cross. He knew his shit. He pulled out my chair and made sure I was seated and comfortable, then pushed it in. When he sat across from me, he smiled.

“These people so in shock they don’t know what to do with themselves.”

I chuckled, and he did too. “Right. You can tell they have so many questions, but they’re scared to say anything to you.”