London turns all red and flustered with embarrassment. I should step in to help her, but I don’t know, man. Something feels wrong about stepping between two beautiful women with my pants undone when I can only bang one of them.
“Paris, I feel awful.” Hey, we weren’t hurting anybody. All that moaning was from pleasure.
“London, love, no one is mad. I just want big muscles here to treat you like the princess you are and not screw around with the first bimbo that...”
“That was his sister.”
“Oh.” Her jet-black eyes, as big as London’s, turn to me. “She was actually very hot, but I hated her by default.”
“Thanks, I’ll make sure to pass on the message next time she comes to visit.” I put on a charming smile to butter up the situation, and it seems like it’s working because Paris lights up a little.,
“Ok, Dr. Love, very funny. Promise me you’ll take care of her. This girl you’re fucking with is my whole life.” The love they have for each other is actually very touching.
London has stars in her eyes every time Paris’ name comes up in a conversation.
“You have my word, Paris. I’m done playing.”
“Good, I have a seat saved for you. I had a feeling you’d show your pretty face.”
“You have a good gut.”
“Zip your pants, put London’s boobs back into her dress, and move your asses.” We both do as she says, fast, and then walk out to see Paris’ parents get married.
I don’t usually say this about romantic affairs - this is more like something James would enjoy, he has the estrogen level for it - but it was actually quite nice. I have no idea what the minister said because I didn’t actually listen, but I had a good feeling from spending my afternoon on a beautiful rooftop, with the most beautiful woman in Chicago leaning in on me for comfort. I got to hug her and wipe away her tears, and even though it felt domestic, it was good.
“Zach, I’m going to go and congratulate them, but you don’t need to.”
“I am not such a big asshole. Come on, introduce me to your family.”
She took my hand and walked me to the crowd until we reached the V.I.P couple.
“Aunt Jacqueline! Uncle Pedro! It was so beautiful, happy anniversary!”
“Thank you, dear,” said the man. “Come and give your uncle a hug.”
She let herself be wrapped in the protective bear hug of her uncle and I think this is the first time I have seenher absolutely relaxed. I wish I could give her that.
“London, dear, who’s your friend?” Her aunt looks at me with soft eyes and a smile, so I mirror her.
“Hello, madam. My name is Zachary Ford. I’m London’s date tonight,” I say, and I see her uncle’s arm tightening around her shoulders. Oh boy, I’m in trouble. The man might be in his fifties, but judging by the size of his fist, he could easily take me out and kick my ass.
“Hello, Zach, It’s very nice to meet you. My name is Jacqueline Alboran, and this is my husband, Pedro. Did you to enjoy the party?”
“Absolutely, it was beautiful. And I know Paris and London put their heart and soul into this. You raised very good girls, Mrs. Alboran.” See? I can play nice; I can be a good guy.
“Aha, they are great. Are you London’s boyfriend?”
And pause. Am I? I mean, are we...? It won’t be the worst thing, it’s just not my thing. I think London can see the angst on my face and jumps to my help. ” Zach and I are very good friends; we hang out a lot.”
“So, he hangs out with you, that’s it?” her uncle says and gives me an inquisitive look.
“Yes, Uncle Pedro. It’s...it’s complicated with us.”
“Look, young lady, he’s either your friend or something else.”
“Pedro, give the kids a break.”
“I’m just telling him, Jackie, if he takes her out, he should say it. It’s the manly thing to do.”
Well, fuck me, he just took my balls away from me. I need them back; his niece happens to be very fond of those.
“I’m her boyfriend. She’s just really shy about it. Babe, I told you your family is gonna love me, you don’t need to worry...”
Beep! Beep!
My sentence is stopped by a buzzing sound coming from my blazer’s pocket. It takes me a second to register that it’s actually my work pager.
“Shit. London, get your stuff and find some snickers, I have a 911 page from the hospital. Sorry, Mr. And Mrs. Alboran, but we need to run.”
“Now? Right now? I have the day off.”
“I know, baby, but there’s been a train accident. We’re all hands on deck. I’ll be doing surgery back to back, and I need you.”
“I think Paris has a pair of flats in her car, I’ll go check.”
She picks up the rim of her dress, and runs, leaving me with her aunt and uncle.
“I’m so sorry we have to go. It’s a big emergency.”
Her aunt comes close to me and touches my shoulder in reassurance.
“You two work together?”
“Yes, she’s my scrub nurse and I’m her boss.” I realize how problematic this sounds, only after the words are out of my mouth. ” It’s not as bad as it sounds. We don’t break any fraternization-in-the-workplace rules.”
“We trust London to make good decisions for herself. Just promise me you’ll take care of her. She works hard, sometimes so hard she forgets to take care of herself.”
I know. I’ve seen it.
“I will, ma’am. I will.”
We arrived at Chicago Mercy in record time due to Zach’s ability to ignore yellow traffic lights. I don’t care how many times he told me we’re safe, I still closed my eyes when it happened.
When we pull up to the parking lot, three ambulances are already in, and people are being escorted to the ER.
“Stay close to me, but don’t be in my way. We’re expecting over sixty people, it’s gonna be crazy in there. I need you to be my extra hands and legs, and pay attention to what I’m saying, understood?”
“Yes, boss!”
He unfastens his seatbelt, opens the door and stops with one leg out.
“I’m not saying this to be a jerk, London, but we have to go in there and do our job. I will kick, I will scream, and I won’t let you take a break until your legs are numb. This is serious.”
I smile because he actually took a second to consider my feelings. That’s a first. I feel spoiled with his consideration, and I might get used to it. It’s very hard to not build hope on that. Sweet Zach is very addictive.
Getting myself free from the seatbelt, I lean over and give him a short kiss on the lips.
“I know, boss. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
He stops me for another kiss and then we run to the hospital. I can hear the noise of the tragedy before we open the doors to the ER?
“Ready, Dallas?”
“Let’s do it, Dr. Ford.”
And just like that, we’re back in business. I don’t expect anything less than the brilliant tyrant who makes me wanna crawl in a corner and cry. It’s the dynamic that fuels us.
Inside the ER there’s mayhem, people are running around, there’s blood on the floor, and cries from patients filling up the room in the most horrific way.