“And yesterday,” she continues, “you barely looked at me.”
There it is.
I glance down the hall, checking for passing staff, buying myself time I don’t deserve. When I look back at her, her expression has shifted again—not hurt yet, but close. Like she’s standing on the edge of it.
“I’m trying to keep things clean,” I say.
Her eyes widen a fraction. “Clean?”
“Professional,” I correct myself.
Something flickers across her face. Understanding, followed quickly by disappointment.
“I never crossed a line,” she says quietly.
I know. That’s the problem. Because no lines were crossed and I still can’t help the feelings building inside of me.
“I didn’t say you did.”
“But you’re treating me like I did,” she replies.
The words settle between us. They are heavy and undeniable. I take a step back without meaning to.
Her shoulders lift with a small inhale, like she’s steadying herself. “Okay,” she says. “I needed to know if this was in my head.”
“It’s not,” I admit.
Her gaze snaps back to mine. “Then what is it?”
I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. Because the truth is too sharp. Because if I say it, I won’t be able to pretend anymore.
She nods slowly, like she’s reached her own conclusion without my help.
“Right,” she says. “Got it.”
“Melissa—”
She gives a polite smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. Thekind nurses use when they’re swallowing emotions they don’t have time to feel.
“I’ll check on Frank again in an hour,” she says, already stepping past me. “Call if you need anything.”
She walks away. She doesn’t look back. And for the first time since this started, I don’t feel relieved by the distance. I feel the loss of it.
After I’ve done my first rounds in the morning, I find myself eager to go back to 447. Melissa is standing outside of his room, eyes down on her tablet.
“How’s he doing?” I ask softly next to her.
Frank’s voice reaches us before she can even respond.
“Are you two done whispering secrets out there, or am I officially being neglected?”
Melissa lets out a soft laugh. I don’t miss the way it slips out before she can stop it. That sound loosens the tight knot in my chest.
“We’re coming, Frank,” she says as she steps back into the room.
“Good,” he grumbles. “Because if this is how you treat your favorite patient, I’d hate to see the rest.”
I follow her in, closing the door behind us.