Pulse between us

Taliah’s POV The world feels quieter after the night shift. Maybe it’s the hum of the machines fading, or the way the hallways empty out until it’s just me and the sound of my own heartbeat echoing between tiled walls. I peel off my gloves, hang up my lab coat. I smile at how clinical my life has become. Blood samples, test results, accuracy — all the pieces of other people’s lives reduced to numbers that determine everything. But when I get home, it’s different. The quiet changes shape. I unlock the door to my small apartment, where the smell of ocean air greets me. In the corner — next to a half-empty mug of cold coffee — my easel waits. I’m not an artist. Not really. I’m a scientist who paints to remember she’s human. I love painting — it’s my way of passing time whenever I’m not at the hospital. I move to quickly make coffee and toast for breakfast. As a medical lab scientist, I get little to no rest. That’s why I’m rushing to make breakfast because I have to be back at the hospital before 7am. My phone buzzes on the counter. Liam: Good morning, sunshine. Don’t forget, you’ve got orientation today — new senior radiographer joining the team. And the gallery event tonight. I’m engaged to Liam Hayes — dependable, gentle, the kind of man who makes everything safe. He texts me every morning before his shift, sends me silly reminders to eat, and loves me without question. I smile faintly. “Orientation day,” I whisper, taking a bite of the freshly made toast. “Another stranger to meet.” ——————————————————- By the time I get back to Oceanview medical center, the city is fully awake. The air smells like coffee and disinfectant. My badge beeps me into the lab, and I’m greeted by Riley, my lab assistant — bright-eyed, red curls tucked into her scrubs, holding a clipboard like it’s her lifeline. “Morning, Dr. Monroe,” she beams, already grinning. “You’re early. Again.” “Habit,” I say, slipping into my coat. “If I sit still too long, my brain starts processing imaginary blood samples.” She laughs. “You seriously need a vacation. Or at least a social life.” “I’m getting married,” I remind her with a mock glare. “Right,” Riley teases. “But that’s, like, months away. You can still live a little before the vows lock you in.” I shake my head, but her smile is contagious. She’s the kind of person who believes work-life balance is real. Riley hands me a tray of samples. “By the way, rumor says the new senior radiographer’s starting today. Apparently, he’s transferred from Seattle. Heard he’s pretty good… and maybe a little too handsome for hospital policy.” I smirk. “Let’s hope he’s better at imaging than flirting.” “Guess we’ll find out,” she says with a wink. I roll my eyes, take the tray, and head toward the centrifuge. The morning goes on like clockwork — clicks, beeps, notes, and small talk. Just another day. Until I hear a voice. Low. Calm. Familiar enough to make my pulse skip. I look up from the samples — and freeze. Standing by the door, ID badge gleaming under the white light, is Noah Carter. Older. Sharper. Wearing the same quiet smile that once undid me. And the universe, in all its twisted humor, decides that today — the first day of his return — he’s been assigned to my department for cross-unit collaboration. Riley nudges me softly. “You okay, Dr. Monroe? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” My fingers tighten around the glass vial. I force a breath, whispering to myself, “You’re over him, Taliah. You’re over him.” But my heart — traitorous as ever — whispers back, “You never were.”