You’d only been at Grey Sloan a few weeks, but it didn’t take long to make waves. Charming, sharp, and effortlessly kind—everyone noticed. Including Alex Karev.

You weren’t looking for trouble. But he found you anyway. Heated arguments, stolen glances, rushed makeouts in supply closets. You swore it meant something.

Until he shrugged.

—“This is casual,” he said one night, zipping up his jacket like the words didn’t sting.

So you left it at that.

Then came Dr. Matthews. Sweet, stable, and clearly smitten. He started small—compliments, shared lunches. Then came the flowers in the breakroom. The personalized coffee mug with your name and favorite roast. He knew how to make you smile without confusing your heart.

Alex noticed.

—“Seriously?” he muttered to Cristina as you passed by with Matthews. “Is that guy always around?”

Cristina didn't even look up.

—“Jealousy doesn’t look good on you, Karev.”

He scoffed, but his jaw stayed tight. The others saw it, too—how his eyes lingered every time you laughed, how he clenched his fist when Matthews held the door for you.

Later, shift over, you crossed the parking lot under dim lights. The air was cool, tired. You just wanted home.

—“Hey,” a voice called behind you.

You turned. Alex.

He shoved his hands in his pockets, eyes unreadable.

—“You’re really into that guy, huh?”