Chapter 15: First meet.

EMILY BECOMES A PROBLEM

 (A Few Days Later) 

Wilson had done her best to push Stella out of her mind.

She buried herself in work, clocked extra hours in the OR, and pretended not to see Stella's name whenever it popped up on her screen.

It was safer that way. Cleaner.

But then, Emily happened.

It started small—check-ins, friendly messages, the occasional "I was just in the area."

Wilson had only given her number back out of politeness, a gesture she now sorely regretted.

Because Emily wasn't just checking in anymore. She was lingering—showing up in the hospital cafeteria, hanging around the nurses' station, or casually loitering near Wilson's office as if that was normal.

And now, she'd crossed the line.

"Hey, handsome," Emily said with a lazy smirk, strolling into Wilson's office unannounced like she still had a right to be there. She leaned against the doorframe with a confidence that came from history. "Missed me?"

Wilson set her pen down slowly, exhaling through her nose. "Emily… you can't keep showing up like this. This is my workplace."

Emily pouted playfully. "Oh, come on. We've known each other too long for you to act brand new. What—just because we're not together anymore, I'm not allowed to say hi?"

"That night at the bar was just a drink," Wilson said firmly, leaning back in her chair. "You promised it wouldn't be more than that."

Emily stepped closer, her voice softer now. "And yet… here we are. Don't tell me you haven't missed me. Even a little?"

Wilson opened her mouth to respond, but a knock interrupted her.

They both turned.

Stella stood frozen in the doorway.

Her gaze flicked from Emily's closeness to Wilson's expression. Her face gave away nothing at first, but her eyes said it all. Something had shifted—tightened.

Wilson took a step forward instinctively. "Stella—"

But Stella had already begun backing up, her voice clipped. "I didn't mean to interrupt."

"You're not—" Wilson started.

Stella shook her head, forcing a tight smile. "It's fine. I'll come back later. You're clearly… occupied."

Before Wilson could explain, she was gone.

The door clicked shut behind her.

Emily raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Well, she's cute. Who is she?"

Wilson didn't answer.

She was too busy replaying the look in Stella's eyes—the same one from her dreams. Only this time, Emily wasn't across the room.

She was standing too damn close.

And for the first time in a while, Wilson hated that.

Wilson's heart raced as she grabbed her phone, fingers moving faster than her thoughts. She barely hesitated before sending the text:

"You misunderstood back there. Can we talk?"

She knew Stella wouldn't respond immediately, but at least she had done something. She wasn't letting her walk away without an explanation.

Before she could process her own emotions, Emily took the opportunity to step closer, her voice laced with playful curiosity.

"Hey, Wilson," Emily said smoothly, tilting her head. "Did I scare your little crush away?"

Wilson exhaled slowly, forcing her expression into something unreadable. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Emily smirked, stepping even closer. "Come on, Doc. I'm not blind. I saw the way you looked at her when she stormed out. You were about to run after her like a lovesick puppy."

Wilson clenched her jaw. Emily was pushing it.

"You're assuming a lot," she said, voice calm but sharp.

Emily chuckled, unbothered. "Maybe. But if you need a distraction, you know where to find me. Just know we are just friends now."

Wilson barely reacted, her phone buzzing in her hand. A reply from Stella.

She glanced down.

"Where?"

Her chest tightened. She had a chance. A chance to fix whatever Stella thought she saw.

Wilson lifted her gaze back to Emily, her mind already made up.

"I need to go."

She didn't give Emily another glance before walking away, phone in hand, already thinking of what to say to Stella.

Wilson's phone buzzed just as she was about to reach the meeting spot.

Stella: "I'm sorry, I have to rush home. There's an emergency."

She stared at the message for a long second, disappointment settling in her chest.

Wilson sighed, turned around, and walked back to her office. It felt like the universe didn't want them to talk.

When she entered, Emily was still there—patient, confident, and clearly waiting.

"That was fast," Emily remarked, raising a brow. "Let me guess—plans got canceled?"

Wilson didn't answer, just placed her phone down and rubbed her temples.

Emily smirked. "I told you, Wilson. You need a distraction."

Wilson exhaled deeply. Maybe she was right. Maybe she did need to take her mind off things.

"Fine," Wilson said, looking up. "Let's go."

STELLA'S JEALOUSY HITS HARD 

Hours later, Stella was scrolling through her phone while sitting in her family's living room. She was restless—thinking about Wilson more than she should.

Then, she saw it.

A picture of Wilson and Emily at a lounge, drinks in hand.

Wilson wasn't even smiling, but Emily was leaning close, grinning at the camera.

Stella's heart clenched, and before she even realized it—she liked the post.

Her eyes widened. Shit.

She unliked it immediately, but her heart wouldn't stop racing.

What was this feeling?

Jealousy?

She shook her head, tossing her phone aside. No. That's ridiculous.

Then, as if her fingers had a mind of their own, she grabbed her phone again and opened Wilson's chat.

She stared at the empty text box, her mind racing.

Then, she typed something random.

"Did you check on that patient from the other day?"

She hit send before she could overthink it.

And now—she was the one waiting for Wilson to reply.

Wilson was halfway through her drink when her phone vibrated.

She glanced at the screen.

Stella: "Did you check on that patient from the other day?"

Wilson narrowed her eyes. That was random.

She stared at the message for a moment, debating whether to respond right away. Stella was reaching out—but why?

Emily noticed the shift in Wilson's expression. "Something wrong?"

Wilson took a slow sip of her drink, then finally replied:

Wilson: "Yeah, she's stable. Why?"

Stella saw the message pop up instantly. She stared at it, fingers hovering over the keyboard. Why had she even texted?

She could say "Just checking."

She could say "No reason."

But none of it felt right.

Instead, she typed:

Stella: "I don't know. Just felt like texting you."

Wilson read it and froze.

Emily, still watching her closely, smirked. "Who's got you all serious like that?"

Wilson locked her phone and shook her head. "No one."

But even as she said it, her mind was still on Stella.

A Growing Restlessness 

Stella placed her phone down, staring blankly at the ceiling.

She hated this feeling. Why was she restless? Why did it bother her seeing Wilson with someone else?

She could call Damien—maybe distract herself.

But she didn't.

Instead, she kept picking up her phone—waiting for Wilson to text back again.

Wilson tapped her fingers on the bar counter, rereading Stella's last text:

"I don't know. Just felt like texting you."

It lingered in her mind longer than it should.

Emily leaned closer, tilting her head. "Come on, you can tell me. Who's got you this distracted?"

Wilson shook her head, forcing a smirk. "It's nothing."

Emily wasn't convinced. "If it's nothing, then why haven't you touched your drink since you read that text?"

Wilson realized it too. She was off balance, and it had everything to do with Stella.

She quickly downed her drink, trying to push the thought away.

"Let's get out of here," she told Emily, standing up.

Emily grinned. "My place or yours?"

Wilson shot her a look. "Neither. I need fresh air."

Emily sighed dramatically but followed her out.

Meanwhile, Stella Couldn't Shake It Off 

Back at home, Stella kept opening and closing Wilson's Instagram page.

She told herself she wasn't obsessed—just curious.

But then, a new post popped up.

It was Wilson and Emily again, this time outside the bar, walking together.

Stella's heart dropped.

Without thinking, she tapped the heart icon—liking the post.

She realized it too late.

Her eyes went wide. "Shit."

She quickly unliked it, but it was too late.

If Wilson had notifications on… she would've seen it.

Stella tossed her phone onto the bed, running a hand through her hair.

What the hell was wrong with her?

Wilson was sitting on a bench outside the bar, scrolling through her phone, when she saw it—a notification from Stella.

Stella liked your photo.

But when she tapped on it, the like was gone.

Wilson smirked, shaking her head. "So, you're watching me too?"

Emily sat beside her, sipping her drink. "You're smiling at your phone. That's new."

Wilson shrugged. "Nothing important."

But Emily wasn't buying it. "Who is she?"

Wilson looked up. "Who?"

"The one making you act all different. You barely entertain anyone, yet here you are, distracted over a text and smiling at your screen."

Wilson scoffed, putting her phone away. "You're imagining things."

Emily leaned in slightly. "Am I?"

Wilson ignored her, standing up. "It's late. I should head home."

Emily stood too. "I'll give you a ride."

Wilson glanced at her, debating. "I'll call a driver."

Emily sighed but nodded. "Fine. But Wilson…" She hesitated before continuing, "If you ever want something different, I'm right here."

Wilson exhaled, shaking her head. "Goodnight, Emily."

She walked away, phone still in her hand, debating whether to text Stella back.

Maybe it was time for a real conversation.

Wilson sat in her car, tapping her fingers against the steering wheel, debating.

Should she text Stella back?

She unlocked her phone, reread the last message, and finally typed:

"You left in a hurry. Everything okay?"

She hesitated, then hit send.

A few minutes later, her phone buzzed. Stella.

"Family issue. Nothing serious now. Where are you?"

Wilson exhaled in relief, then typed:

"Heading home. You?"

"In my car." Stella said.

Wilson stared at the message. Was that it?

Then another text came in.

"Can we meet?"

Wilson's heart skipped. Finally. She replied:

"Where?"

"Anywhere private." 

Wilson didn't think twice.

"My place?"

A pause.

"Send me the location."

Wilson smirked. This was going to be interesting