Zoey smiled softly as she watched the Pierce siblings perform, her eyes naturally drawn to Harriet. The three of them looked genuinely happy, their energy infectious. If they weren't in healthcare, Zoey was sure they'd make excellent entertainersâeach of them exuded charisma effortlessly.
Scoffing playfully, Zoey leaned her elbow on the table, resting her chin in her hand as she continued to gaze at Harriet. A faint smile lingered on her lips.
"You look so in love," Vera teased, nudging Zoey as she moved her chair closer.
Zoey sat up straighter, caught off guard. "Eh? Why do you say that?"
Vera shrugged casually. "You just have that lookâlike someone who's falling hard," she chuckled, shifting her focus back to the stage.
Zoey swallowed, her eyes once again drifting back to Harriet. Her heart beat steadily, but there was a stirring inside herâa quiet pull, urging her to be closer to Harriet. Despite trying to play it cool, the feeling was undeniable.
Zoey met Harriet's gaze as she approached their table. "Hey there, girlfriend," Harriet said, her smile wide and playful.
Zoey felt her cheeks flush as she looked around the table, noticing the stunned expressions on Riley and Nyx's faces. "Girlfriend?!" they echoed in unison, their eyes wide. Sienna and Vera just laughed, shrugging it off as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Harriet laughed, a twinkle in her eye. "No, I was just kidding!" she said, turning to face her siblings before pulling out a chair right next to Zoey.
Zoey jumped slightly as Harriet slid her chair closer, the sudden proximity catching her off guard. "What?" she mumbled, glancing at Harriet with confusion.
Harriet merely shrugged, crossing her arms and leaning back in her chair with a relaxed demeanor. Zoey tilted her head, noticing a surprising calmness in Harriet's behavior. "What is wrong with you?" she asked, half amused and half concerned.
Harriet tilted her head, looking intently at Zoey. "I'll be on a one-week vacation," she said with a casual shrug. Zoey frowned, puzzled.
"Why is that?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
"One week unpaid vacation," Harriet leaned in closer, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret. Zoey's brows furrowed in confusion.
"I'm afraid I don't get what you mean," Zoey said, gently pushing Harriet's forehead away since she was encroaching on her personal space.
Harriet chuckled lightly. "Well, I got suspended for a week," she replied, laughing a little.
Zoey blinked, her surprise evident. "You what?"
"I was late because I was called to a medical board meeting regarding what happened yesterday evening," Harriet explained, scratching her head in frustration. "You know, doctors shouldn't hurt civilians but instead save them and all. They kept telling me that my hands are vital as a surgeon... I just don't get it," she added, shaking her head and chuckling softly.
Zoey bit her lower lip, feeling a pang of guilt. "Sorry, it's my fault that you've been suspended."
Harriet reached over and patted Zoey's head gently. "It's not your fault. It was my decision to protect you."
Harriet chuckled as she watched Zoey walk a little ahead of her, her hands tucked into her pants pockets. They strolled towards the nearby park, enjoying the crisp evening air.
Zoey paused and looked back at her. "Why are you walking so slow?"
Harriet shrugged, a smile playing on her lips. "I was just admiring your back," she replied, quickening her pace to catch up.
"Why? Is there something on my back?" Zoey asked, glancing over her shoulder in a comical attempt to check.
Harriet scoffed playfully as she pulled Zoey closer to her. "No, nothing. I just wanted to see you from behind," she said with a sigh.
Zoey squinted at her and poked Harriet's cheeks. "You're stressed about being suspended, aren't you?"
Harriet looked at her and smiled. "It's just a week; what harm could it do?"
"Well, you love your profession. I doubt you won't miss your job in a week," Zoey replied, lightly kicking her sling bag as they walked.
Suddenly, Harriet stopped and pulled Zoey into a hug. "W-what, Harriet..." Zoey uttered, taken aback by the sudden gesture.
"Let me just hug you for a while," Harriet mumbled, burying her face into Zoey's shoulder, bending slightly since she was taller.
Zoey sighed, stroking Harriet's back gently. "When will your suspension start?" she asked, still rubbing Harriet's back. It felt oddly comforting, and Zoey couldn't help but wonder why she felt this way.
"Tomorrow," Harriet said, pulling back from the hug. "Guess I won't be able to bother you for a week?" she added, laughing lightly.
"Guess so," Zoey replied, a playful grin on her face. "Well, one week of no Doctor Harriet Pierce around the buildingâwhat should I do in the meantime?"
Harriet's brows furrowed at Zoey's lightheartedness. "You're supposed to work, Ms. Zoey Foster," she said, poking the tip of Zoey's nose playfully.
"Right," Zoey laughed, shaking her head. "Do you mind if I come pick you up?" Harriet asked.
"Pick me up? In the office? Or somewhere else?" Zoey asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.
Harriet tilted her head, a teasing smile on her lips. "I want to pick you up from the office and then from your placeâanywhere, really," she said. "Only if you're okay with the idea, though."
"I have a car, you know," Zoey said, laughter spilling from her lips.
"Right, that makes sense," Harriet responded, a hint of disappointment creeping into her voice, but she didn't press the issue further. She loved the thought of spending more time with Zoey, and if that meant being picked up or picking her up, she was all in.
Zoey noticed the sudden silence from Harriet and glanced over, a smile playing on her lips. "Well, on second thought, you can come pick me up if it doesn't take too much of your time," she offered, turning to face Harriet.
"Really? I can pick you up?" Harriet asked, struggling to suppress her smile but failing miserably.
"Yeah, sure," Zoey said, patting Harriet's cheeks playfully.
"Can I also visit your place? Or is that too much to ask?" Harriet inquired, gauging Zoey's reaction.
Zoey gulped. Harriet visiting her place? The idea sent a flutter through her. She cleared her throat, trying to sound nonchalant. "Not a bad idea, but don't expect anything grand inside my house. I live alone," she replied, shrugging.
"Then maybe I could move in with you?" Harriet said with a chuckle. "Or you can move in with me since I also live alone. Sounds great, right?"
Zoey laughed, clicking her tongue. "You're getting ahead of yourself, Doctor," she teased. Yet, she couldn't shake the thought of Harriet moving in with her or vice versa. How would it feel to live with someone you care about deeply? The idea sent her heart racing, and she turned to look at Harriet, who was grinning from ear to ear.
"Who knows? Maybe by then, you won't want to live alone anymore," Harriet said softly, reaching for Zoey's hand. She gently held it as they continued to walk.
Zoey glanced down at their joined hands, her heart skipping a beat at the warmth of Harriet's touch. She smiled softly, her fingers naturally intertwining with Harriet's. "Maybe," Zoey said, her voice quieter now. "But who knows, maybe you won't want to live alone either by then."
Harriet chuckled, squeezing Zoey's hand gently. "Guess we'll see," she said in a playful yet sincere tone.
They continued walking through the park, the evening air cool around them, but the warmth between them was undeniable. Zoey stole a quick glance at Harriet, the reality of this moment sinking inâhow comfortable she felt with her, how easy it was to imagine a future where they didn't live alone anymore.