He's a Wh0re

XI

The next morning, Emmie awoke to the sound of her phone alarm. As soon as she opened her eyes, she thought of Abe and groans.

With a deep breath, she silenced the phone and resolved to avoid him as hard as she could.

She couldn’t afford to let herself feel this way, not with everything else going on in her life.

The rest of the morning was a blur of hurried movements and anxious thoughts. She busied herself with mundane tasks, her mind flitting back to Abe’s laughter, his teasing, and the warmth of his gaze. Yet, she knew she had to focus. Ruth needs her today.

When Emmie arrived at the hospital, the cool, sterile air welcomed her like an old friend.

The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting a harsh glow on the white walls as she navigated the familiar corridors.

She made her way to Ruth’s room, heart heavy with worry but determined to be the supportive friend Ruth needed.

As she stepped inside, she found Ruth lying on the bed, a blue hospital gown draping over her frail form. An armband marked with her name and identification number rested on her wrist, a stark reminder of the vulnerable position she was in.

“Hey,” Emmie greeted softly, forcing a smile despite the knot in her stomach.

Ruth looked up, a smile breaking through her apprehension. “You’re here early! I thought I’d have to wait until my son showed up.”

Emmie squeezed her hand gently, shaking her head. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world. How are you feeling?”

“Anxious,” Ruth admitted, glancing at the folder of instructions on her lap. “They gave me this whole packet about the surgery, and I can’t stop reading it.”

Emmie nodded, doing her best to offer reassurance. “You’ll be fine. I'm sure the doctors are really good at what they do.”

Just then, a nurse entered the room, clipboard in hand.

“Good morning, Ruth. I’m here to discuss the surgery protocols with you,” she said, flipping through the pages with practiced ease.

As the nurse explained the details, Emmie settled back into her chair, allowing the weight of responsibility to press down on her. She couldn’t help but notice the absence of Ruth’s son, a pang of frustration striking her heart. Emmie felt an overwhelming desire to protect her friend, knowing she would do anything to ensure Ruth felt supported through this difficult time.

“Do you have any questions?” the nurse asked after laying out the plan.

Ruth shook her head, her voice steady yet tinged with worry. “I think I’m okay. I just want to get this over with.”

Just then, the door swung open, and in walked Jackson Anderson, Ruth’s surgeon. He was tall, with an air of confidence that radiated from him. Emmie’s heart raced as she recognized him—the same handsome man from the grocery store, the one who had returned her dropped money.

“Good morning, everyone,” he said with a warm smile, his gaze settling on Emmie. “How are you doing today, Ruth?”

“I’m just anxious about the surgery,” Ruth replied, her voice slightly shaky.

Jackson nodded, his demeanor reassuring. “That’s completely normal. We’ll take good care of you, I promise. I just need to review a few things before we proceed.”

Emmie felt a rush of embarrassment wash over her. She had avoided Abe’s calls and texts, yet here was Jackson, an unexpected reminder of her fleeting brush with fate at the grocery store.

“Hey, I remember you!” Jackson exclaimed, his expression brightening. “You’re the one who dropped the fifty dollars. How’s everything going since then?”

Emmie blinked, caught off guard, and remembered their first encounter near the store a few days ago.

Her heart was beating so fast that she thought she would have a heart attack. Thankfully, she had managed to slip out of the store without causing more trouble.

Those women had been more intimidating than the sexy porn star she was avoiding.

After five minutes of walking, she sensed someone was following her, but when she turned around, she saw plenty of people milling about.

Suddenly, her phone rang.

Pulling it out, she frowned at the caller ID: Wh0re calling....

She turned off the phone and shoved it back into her pocket. She wanted to hear his voice, but she had to avoid any contact with Abe.

As she continued walking, someone tapped her shoulder. She turned around, eyes widening at the sight of the most handsome man smiling at her. He was tall, and his smile was simply captivating, reminding her of a celebrity doctor she’d seen online.

“Hey, miss!” he said, stepping closer.

“What?” she managed, still caught in her astonishment.

“I think this is yours.” He handed her a fifty-dollar bill. She frowned, trying to remember if she had dropped any money. She didn’t have an idea.

“You dropped it at the store after receiving your change. I was the one behind you.” He smiled, showcasing his perfect teeth.

“Really? I didn’t know, but thanks.” She felt heat rise to her cheeks and quickly took the money from him.

“Are you sure?” She needed to be sure because it seemed too good to be true.

“Yes, it’s yours. You didn’t hear me when I called you back at the store, and I’m glad I saw you walking here.” He chuckled.

Her apartment was just a fifteen-minute walk from the store, so she didn’t bother looking for a ride.

“If you’re sure that it’s mine, then I will keep it. Thanks a lot.”

“No problem.” He nodded, and she felt a wave of relief as she walked away, glancing back at him one last time.

End of Flashback.

“Oh, uh, yeah, that’s me,” she said, managing a smile. “I appreciate your help that day. It saved me from a lot of embarrassment.”

“No problem at all,” Jackson replied, his voice friendly and genuine. “I’m just glad I could help.”

Ruth looked between them, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. “You two met before?”

“Just a quick encounter at the store,” Emmie explained, her cheeks heating up. “He was kind enough to return some money I dropped.”

“Good to see you again, Emmie,” Jackson said, shifting his focus back to Ruth. “Let’s talk about the surgery details, shall we?”

As he delved into the specifics of the procedure, Emmie found herself listening intently, grateful for his professionalism and care. The tension that had been simmering in her since she had left Abe faded slightly, replaced by a sense of relief that Ruth was in capable hands.

Emmie couldn’t help but steal glances at Jackson as he interacted with Ruth, his demeanor warm and approachable. There was a comforting energy about him that made her feel at ease.

“Do you have any questions for me, Ruth?” Jackson asked, flipping through the notes on his clipboard.

Ruth shook her head. “I think I’m good for now. I just want to get this over with.”

“Absolutely,” Jackson replied, a reassuring smile on his face. “You’ll be in and out before you know it. I’ll make sure to come by before the surgery to check in.”

After a few more minutes of discussion, Jackson took his leave, and Emmie felt the air lighten in the room.

“That man is charming,” Ruth said, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

Emmie chuckled, shaking her head. “He really is. I didn’t expect to run into him again.”

“Maybe it’s a sign,” Ruth teased, nudging Emmie playfully. “You could use someone like that in your life.”

Emmie rolled her eyes, brushing off the comment. “Please, I’m just focused on being here for you right now.”