Chapter 3 Work, Wine, and Worries

Izzy's POV

I virtually stumbled into the break room for a much-needed cup of coffee, my eyes glazed with exhaustion.

I had no idea how dependent on coffee I would become when I enrolled in medical school to become a nurse. It was not because I wanted to live my life rubbing my eyes and yawning, but because I wanted to help people.

"Hey, Izzy, how are things going?" My best friend Tara was sprawled across the chairs, looking as though she was at her own house, and I blanched.

She always looked like she had walked off a runway, or at least from a magazine, but we did the exact same job. How was that fair? Her brown eyes gleamed as though she had just slept through the night, her blonde hair was plaited in a very tidy fashion, and her pale skin was completely flawless by day. However, my dark hair was secured in a bun, my dark blue eyes lacked any glimmer, and I was certain that a pimple was developing beneath the surface.

"Wonderful, indeed," I mumbled, my rage evident.

"What are you reading?"

A good book was one of my favorite things. I was always lost in one, losing myself in fantastical other realms. I put my fists on my hips, turned on the coffee maker, and then grinned at my companion. The fact that I was such a mess, and she wasn't, was not her fault.

"The book you taught me about the unfortunate wealthy man who falls for the alluring vixen before discovering that his best friend was his true love."

"What? About halfway through? You only glanced. How are you aware of that?"

"Come on, it's clear. However, I continue to adore it."

She rotated her legs until they touched the ground. "Are you okay? You appear somewhat worn out." That's an understatement! I pondered. "Are you looking forward to the weekend?"

"So much!" I picked up my paper cup and took a seat beside her. "From Friday night till Monday morning, I'll be asleep. Maybe I can make it to Thursday next week without looking like a corpse."

Tara gave me a fierce look as though I had said something extremely offensive. "Are you serious? You said you would accompany me out though. Lights Out seems great, so that's where I want to go.

"Oh, my goodness, did I really?" In desperation, I threw back my head. "Do I have to? You have no idea how much sleep I need."

I had a terrible feeling that I wouldn't be able to escape it as Tara looked at me. She always had a way of getting me to do what she wanted; ever since we first met in medical school, she had forced me to go out on a lot of nights, and I had a sense that tonight would be no different.

I nodded at her at last, thinking that this would deter her from bothering me for the time being. "I'll think about it and decide after observing how tomorrow unfolds."

"All well, of course, but won't you join me for supper after work? I'm not going to bother cooking tonight."

"No, neither am I."

My one guilty pleasure was eating out. To be fair, I worked long hours, but I did it far too frequently. Cooking and baking were the only hobbies I truly loved, so it was a terrible shame that I didn't have time to sweat over the oven every night.

"Yes, let's do it."

I looked at my watch and stood up. "All right, I had better return."

"Alright, I'll see you at the end of the day. I adore you, Izzy!" Tara gave a beautiful call.

"See you soon!" With a wave of relief, I grabbed my backpack and threw on a sweater over my scrubs.

A number of horrible things had happened in the hospital during the lengthy day. All I had to do was leave before my job ate me alive.

"Let's go, Izzy, hurry up!" With excitement, Tara pulled on my arm. "I really want some chicken right now."

"Yes, please, do anything you want." I just let her drag me with her to wherever the devil she was heading. Sincerely, I didn't give a damn. All I wanted was something to satisfy my raging hunger.

When we finally arrived at the diner at the end of the drive, I wasn't overly shocked. To be honest, most of the medical personnel ended up heading there after a long day because it was simple, convenient, and affordable.

I knew the majority of the people in the room when I looked around. I knew the floor and department they worked on, but I couldn't remember many of their names.

Tara cocked her head at me and looked at me curiously after we placed our order. "Is there a reason you're not answering your phone?"

"Oh shit! It's ringing." I fumbled in my bag till I found it, but I sneered and pressed the decline button as soon as I saw the name on the screen. "Oh, it's irrelevant."

"Your mother?" Tara was too familiar with me.

"Yes, and she's going through another phase where she says, 'I need a grandchild,' and I don't want to deal with that at the moment."

In an attempt to make light of a situation that actually felt really embarrassing, I rolled my eyes exaggeratedly.

"You're only twenty-six, and you don't even have a serious boyfriend-or any boyfriend, really. Does she not get that?" asked Tara.

"I appreciate the sobering reminder."