big, Carm.”
“It sure is.”
“How do you feel about it?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Fine, I guess. Felice is good for my grandpa. He’s healthy at the moment. He deserves to be happy.”
“But?”
“No but. I guess it was just unexpected. I know they’ve been seeing each other on and off. More on lately than off.”
Tess gave her a smile. “Hey, when you get to be the age of your grandfather, you don’t have time to waste. When you fall in love with someone and know they’re the one, you go for it. Time’s precious, you know?”
She supposed she hadn’t thought about it that way. When her grandfather had dropped the proposal bombshell on her the other night, she hadn’t said much other than Oh and That’s great. She probably should have been a little more enthusiastic on his behalf. He was likely very disappointed in her reaction.
Carmen had wanted to take Tess out for lunch today, for two reasons. One, to get out of the hospital for a break, and two, to give Tess some news.
It was always nice to have that time away, and there were several restaurants within walking distance of the hospital, so they ordered lunch and caught up on their lives.
“George and I are thinking of taking a big trip on our next vacation.”
“Yeah?” Carmen took a sip of her iced tea. “What’s the plan?”
“Maybe somewhere in the Caribbean. I’ve always wanted to go to St. Lucia.”
“I know you have. You’ve been talking about it for years.”
“I think I’ve finally convinced him. But money is kind of tight, so we’ll see how the savings go.”
Carmen grinned. “Well, I think they’ll go pretty well for you, considering the news I have.”
Tess frowned. “What news?”
“I’ll be doing your official evaluation this afternoon, but I wanted to tell you I recommended you for a promotion to nurse supervisor of the ICU step-down unit. And the unit is going to offer you the job.”
Tess blinked. “Get the fuck out of here. Seriously?”
Carmen grinned. “Seriously. Congratulations.”
Tess put her hand over her mouth, and Carmen could see the tears well in her eyes.
“Do not cry. If you cry, then I’ll cry.”
Tess got out of her chair and flung her arms around Carmen. Carmen hugged her tight.
“Thank you,” Tess said. “This means everything to me.”
They hugged like that for a good minute, then Tess fell back in her chair. “I . . . don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. You earned this promotion. You’ll make a fine department supervisor, and I’ll miss you like crazy in the ER.”
“Holy shit. Wait ’til I tell George. He’ll die.”
Carmen grinned. “No, he’ll take you to the Caribbean.”
“He will, won’t he? Oh my God, this is just the best day ever.” It was. She loved that Tess was getting what she deserved. And that made their lunch together so much better. In fact, they ended up taking a bit longer to eat, which was even more fun.
Then they got back to work. Carmen did Tess’s evaluation that afternoon, which was probably the most fun she’d ever had doing an eval. They’d both grinned through the entire thing.
In two weeks, Tess would be moving up to the ICU, which meant Carmen would have to replace her in the ER. No easy task, and something else she’d have to add to her list of things to do. But for today? She was smiling.
And after work she would get to see Rafe. He was off today. They had a date tonight to see a movie. She didn’t want to see a movie. She wanted to talk to him about her grandfather.
She pulled out her phone and texted him.
Ok if we cancel the movie and hang out at your place tonight?
He replied a few minutes later.
Fine with me. Everything ok?
She texted back with: Just want to talk.
He sent a reply: Sure. See u tonight.
He added pizza and wine emojis at the end, making her smile. That’s what she needed. Rafe would help her make sense of all the questions she had in her head about her grandpa and his wanting to get married.
She was probably overreacting anyway.
But she ended up counting the hours until her shift was finished. She went home and changed clothes. Her grandfather had therapy today, and then he was going to Felice’s house. He’d called her earlier and left her a message to let her know they were going to dinner and bingo tonight. He said he’d text what time he’d be home, or