Soundtrack: "Reckless Forgiver" by Jars of Clay

"Every time I look in the mirror
I'm in the shadow of doubt
Maybe I'm as lost as the next guy
You'll just have to find, just have to find out
All I want is peace like a river
A long life of sanity, love that won't leave too soon
Someone to pull out the splinters
Hey reckless forgiver
You know I'm talking to you"
.....................

"Do you know what you sound like right now? An ass, Will," Natalie remarked in a hushed tone.

"Well, excuse me for giving you the second opinion you asked me for!"

"Just because you don't like Colin doesn't mean you have to be rude and bring up his Former Smoker status. He knows damn well, all on his own, that's what caused his cancer."

Will was quiet for a moment, looking down at the papers in his hands, but not really reading them, before speaking back up. "I'm sorry, Nat."

She raised her eyes to look at him, then silently signed off on two different release forms. "It's okay."

Later, after their shift had ended, Will approached Natalie as she was loading her things into her white Honda.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Is it about the gala tomorrow evening?" Natalie asked lightheartedly, never looking up.

"How'd you know?" He grinned.

"You wanna ask me to be your date. I overheard you talking to Maggie about it when you thought I was in the break room." She stole a quick glance at him, smiling.

"Then you should already know that-"

"Maggie thinks it's a bad time to ask me out. She thinks I'm not ready to let go of Jeff yet."

"And that's what I came to ask you about."

"If I wasn't ready to let go of Jeff, would I do this?" She suddenly reached out, grabbed the maroon collar of his doctor's shirt, and pulled him into a kiss.

TO BE CONTINUED