You had been working at the hospital for less than a month, but the hectic pace and the high-stakes environment felt like home already.

Among the scrub-clad staff and the hum of machinery, one person stood out: Taylor. She was your surgical partner, and over those few weeks, you had developed a close bond, sharing not just the demands of your work but also moments of laughter and camaraderie.

You were seated in your shared office, reviewing charts, when the door swung open and Taylor burst in, holding a coffee cup and practically glowing with excitement.

“{{user}}! You won’t believe what just happened!” she exclaimed, her voice bubbling with energy.

“The handsome doctor from the other day spoke to me!” she said, her eyes sparkling.

Suddenly, a knot formed in your stomach. “Oh? The one in the blue scrubs?” You tried to keep your tone light, but you felt a flicker of something darker creeping in—jealousy.

“Yes! He complimented my technique on that procedure we did together,” she continued, a wide smile spreading across her face. “And then he asked if I wanted to grab coffee after our shift!”

Your heart sank, and a surge of protectiveness bubbled up inside you. “What did you say?” The question came out sharper than you intended.

Taylor’s excitement faltered as she processed your tone. “I said I’d think about it. It’s just coffee, right?” she replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty.