38 - Fake

                                    

                                          
Victoria wanted to spend every moment with Matthew. She didn't even bother to hide her happiness. Lily noticed. 
"Lily, he's amazing." She wanted to shout it from the rooftop, but not the hospital roof, so she whispered.
"How good? You're blushing. Was it hot?"
"Lil, you're not getting details, but I finally understand why it's called making love. It's so much more than just sex."
Lily frowned. "I don't want to talk about sex. Every time I turn a corner, I see Danny with someone sexier than me. I can't compete."
Victoria wanted to say she told her so. "You can do so much better. Sex is only part of a good relationship. Look at the couples, you know. My Dad and Becka can talk for hours and laugh. Intimacy with my best friend is better than anything I've known. Garrett should have been my best friend, but never was. He was too self-centered and selfish. You know Danny is barely your friend."
Lily didn't respond, but the furrow in her brow meant she was thinking. Victoria turned her attention to the screen. She had been printing the discharge summary for a patient who had spent a few hours on the monitor, but wasn't in labor. She stood to go into her patient's room.
Lily said, "You're suddenly an expert after a few days."
"Except for work, we've been inseparable for over a week. His family's coming next week, and his mother's having a party. Come with me." She had rounded the desk. "I need to get back." As she stuck her thumb in the direction of her patient's room."
She didn't want to make a big deal over the invitation. Lily couldn't suspect a thing. Hours later, they walked to the parking lot together.
"If I go with you, can I meet Wendy Clark?"
Victoria nodded. "I bought a dress." 
She had gone to the mall with Becka while Matthew met Brady at the gym. The spaghetti strap satin sheath made her feel sexy. It resembled a slip and had a unique, subdued floral print with an ivory background. Luckily, she had a tan from her walks and scattered trips to the beach, because it showed a lot of her shoulders and legs.
She added, "I'm excited to be Matthew's date."
Truthfully, she was nervous. OTL and socializing with Matthew's family on the same night felt intimidating. She hadn't thought her plan through. What if they didn't like her? What if Brady failed to sweep Lily off her feet?
It was too much to think about. She wanted to see her dog and climb into bed with Matthew. He kept Bear while she worked. The proximity to the beach made his apartment perfect. She kept waiting for her dad to comment about her absence, but he had been quiet. Becka encouraged her to have a relationship with Matthew. Leaving the hospital, she had two days off before her weekend on duty.
Victoria showered and climbed into bed beside Matthew. It didn't bother her he was still asleep, because Matthew wasn't a slacker. He worked more than her.
"How was your night?" His voice was slow from sleep.
She answered with a kiss and snuggled into him, as sleep pulled her under.
After a nap and a beach walk. Victoria left Matthew to go home. She had neglected her apartment, and he planned to volunteer at the center.
"Come over for dinner. We can watch your TV."
He smiled. "I'll bring my toothbrush."
She smiled before she kissed him goodbye. She tied bear up on the landing, because he needed a bath.
Once her dog was clean with her laundry started, she set out to buy groceries. Afterward she planned to visit with Becka.
The supermarket was always crowded in the summer. With a scan of the parking lot, she saw cars from out of state and Canada. Many had their campground parking permit hanging from the rearview mirror.