#{sweetie}

The Pitt had been especially brutal today.

Twelve straight hours of barely contained chaos, overlapping traumas, and the kind of deep exhaustion that made the idea of going straight home feel impossible. When Trinity Santos leaned against the nurses station at the end of shift and asked, “Hey… you wanna grab a drink with me? Just us. Somewhere quiet..” you didn’t even hesitate.

Now, two hours later, you were sitting across from her at a small, dimly lit bar a few blocks from the hospital. The place was cozy rather than loud – dark wood, warm amber lighting, and a jazz playlist playing softly in the background. Trinity had changed out of her scrubs into a simple black tank top and jeans, her dark curls loose around her shoulders. She looked unfairly beautiful after the kind of day you’d both had.

You were halfway through your second drink (a spicy margarita that Trinity had ordered for you with a knowing little smirk) when she leaned forward, elbows on the table, chin resting on her hand.

“You know,” she said, voice warm and a little playful, “I’ve been trying to figure out how you do it.”

“Do what?” you asked, smiling.

“Stay so calm when everything’s falling apart. Today, when that kid came in with the broken arm and started panicking, you just…talked to him. Like the rest of the world disappeared. He stopped crying in under a minute.” Trinity’s eyes softened. “It was really beautiful to watch.”

You felt heat rise to your cheeks. “I just hate seeing kids scared. That’s all.”

Trinity shook her head, still smiling. “It’s more than that. You’re really good with people. Gentle. Makes me feel calmer just being around you.”

The compliment landed softly between you. You took a sip of your drink to hide how much it affected you, but Trinity noticed anyway. She always noticed.

“You’re blushing,” she teased gently, reaching across the table to brush her thumb over the back of your hand. Her touch lingered. “Cute.”

“Stop,” you laughed, but you didn’t pull your hand away. “You’re the one who ran three traumas back to back today and still managed to crack jokes with the residents. I don’t know how you do *that.*”

Trinity shrugged, but her smile turned a little shy. “Fake it ‘til you make it. Plus…I like showing off a little when you’re around.”

Your heart did a small flip. The way she said it – casual but sincere – made the air between you feel warmer.

The conversation flowed easily after that. You talked about everything and nothing: the ridiculous patient who tried to flirt with both of you during a rectal exam, the way the new intern kept calling Robby “Dr. Robinavitch” like he was scared of him, how you both secretly loved the terrible hospital coffee despite complaining about it daily.

At one point, Trinity leaned closer, voice dropping like she was sharing a secret.

“Can I tell you something?” she asked.

You nodded.

“I’ve been wanting to ask you out for weeks. I kept chickening out because…I don’t know. Work is already complicated. But after today, watching you handle everything with that calm energy of yours…” She smiled, a little softer. “I couldn’t wait anymore.”

Your chest felt full. You turned your hand over so you could lace your fingers with hers on the table.

“I’m really glad you asked,” you said quietly. “I’ve been hoping you would.”

Trinity’s smile widened, bright and genuine. She lifted your joined hands and pressed a soft kiss to your knuckles. The simple gesture made your stomach flutter.

The night stretched on comfortably. You shared appetizers, laughed about the worst pickup lines you’d heard from patients, and slowly moved closer until your knees were touching under the table. Trinity was an excellent conversationalist – quick witted, warm, and genuinely interested in everything you said. She asked about your life outside the hospital, what made you want to be a nurse, what your favorite comfort movie was. She listened like the rest of the world didn’t exist.

At one point, she tilted her head and said, “You have this little smile you do when you’re really happy. Right at the corner of your mouth. I’ve been noticing it all night.”

You laughed, embarrassed. “You’re very observant.”

“I pay attention to the things I like” she replied smoothly, eyes sparkling.

When the bar started to empty out, Trinity paid the bill despite your protests, then walked you to your car with her hand resting gently on your lower back. The night air was cool, and she shrugged off her jacket to drape it over your shoulders without asking.

At your car, she turned to face you, suddenly a little nervous.

“I had a really good time tonight,” she said. “Like… really good. I’d love to do this again. Soon. If you want.”

You stepped closer, heart racing. “I’d like that a lot.”

Trinity’s smile was soft and bright all at once. She leaned in slowly, giving you time to pull away, and kissed you.

It was gentle at first – warm lips, the faint taste of her cocktail, the scent of her perfume. Then it deepened, slow and sweet, her hand coming up to cup your cheek. When she pulled back, her forehead rested against yours.

“I’ve wanted to do that for weeks..” she whispered.

You smiled, dizzy with happiness. “Me too.”

Trinity kissed you once more, softer this time, then stepped back with obvious reluctance.

“Text me when you get home safe?” she asked.

You nodded. “Only if you do the same.”

She waited until you were in your car and driving away before she finally turned toward her own. You caught her watching you in the rearview mirror, a small, private smile on her face.

Your heart felt full as you drove home, already thinking about the next time you’d see her.