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The supply closet door clicked shut behind Mel as she slipped inside, holding a clipboard in one hand. She was rushed because there were lots of patients to look after. Unfortunately, it was a casual Monday evening.
“Don't tell me you came here to rest.” Frank’s voice came from beside her.
“God—Dr. Frank, of course not.” Mel shouted. Her hair bun loosed as she jumped suddenly to the side.
He was leaning against the metal shelf with stethoscope around his neck, sipping from a coffee cup like he had just got a day off.
“You know this is the perfect place to hide from nurses who want me to speak more.”
Mel rolled her eyes, setting the clipboard down. “Well, congrats! You’ve claimed the kingdom of nursing staff.” He grinned with all his confidence and scruffy charm. “Welcome to my realm, Nurse King.”
She glanced at him with her familiar, tired eyes. “I’m only here because someone put the dermabond on the top shelf and we're all not tall enough to reach it,” she said.
Frank stepped closer, reaching easily to grab it. “So you need me?” He asked. Mel tilted her head down slightly, just enough to avoid his gaze. “Kind of.”
Their fingers brushed as he handed it to her, and the air shifted, followed by a few seconds of silence around them.
“You know,” He said, lowering his voice, “I don’t mind being your substitute for any emergency.”
She snorted. “For medical supplies?”
“I mean for everything.” He curved his lips, his hands resting on the stethoscope around his neck.
For a moment, she didn’t say anything. Then as always, she turned to leave the room, grabbing the clipboard and dermabond with both hands. “I’ll let you know next time I need gloves or… any emergency substitute.”
But he caught her wrist lightly as she stepped to the door of the supply closet. “Mel.” She paused, turned back to meet his eyes. “I’m serious.” He said, his gaze steady.
Then she smiled, probably. “I expected to find a fugitive hiding here, not someone so delightful.”
Frank grinned again. “That means... yess?” She nudged open the door with her foot. “Maybe.”
And just like that, she was slipped away—leaving the scent of lavender sanitizer blended with antiseptic, the kind of smell you'd usually find in Pittsburgh.
“At least it's not a No.” He muttered to himself.