Before the women could continue, two more scrub-wearing employees joined them. “There you are . . . you guys rushed out of the parking lot.” The man speaking wore scrubs like the others, his chin sported a slight shadow and a confident grin.

“I’m thirsty,” Nancy said.

Valerie made introductions . . . Dale and Maria were the next two to pull a second table next to hers. They ordered more drinks and Gina set a big basket of fried chicken wings smothered with barbeque sauce in the center of the table.

“Never fails . . . end of a shift and someone has to come in all messed up from the freeway.” This came from Maria.

Valarie leaned next to Dakota. “Three-car pileup on the Ten.”

“I came from that way . . . didn’t see anything.”

“I think it was from San Bernardino.”

Nancy lifted her cocktail. “Which means I might as well relax. Traffic home is going to suck.”

“Was everyone OK?” Dakota asked.

“Couple of minors. The passenger took the hit, which is why we’re late getting out tonight. She was on her way to surgery when we left.” Valerie drank water with lime.

The staff talked about the accident, the day’s events. Dakota realized that Joe’s dive bar was a place for necessary decompression for the hospital staff. Only a couple of them actually drank. The others ate, laughed, and let the day’s events purge out of their systems.

By eight thirty, Nancy was checking the time on her phone. “I wonder what’s keeping Walt?”

Valerie kept a closer eye on the door than Dakota. By nine, it was apparent that Valerie needed to leave and Maria kept texting someone on her phone. This small group had a one or no drink maximum and all their glasses were empty.

“You don’t have to wait here with me,” Dakota finally said.

“I told Walt I would.”

Ah! That explains why they’re all still here.

Just before nine, Dakota removed her cell and checked her messages. Nothing.

It wouldn’t bode well for Walt to stand her up with his colleagues by her side. He probably got caught up. Deflated, she gathered her purse, dropped her phone inside. “I’m going to use the restroom and head out,” she announced while she placed a few bills on the table to pay for her drink.

Nancy looked relieved, Valerie blinked several times, and Maria was already headed toward the door.

“It was great meeting you,” Maria managed. “I’m sure Dr. Eddy just got tied up. It happens.”

“It’s all good.”

By the time Dakota left the restroom, her new friends were gone.

The crowd in the bar had grown, but not by the one person she’d come to see.

She considered driving over to the hospital but thought better of it. She’d call him, leave a message, and suggest another time.

The cars in the lot were lit only by the lights of the bar. In an effort to keep her car from gathering dings and dents, she’d parked close to the back but found it surrounded by other patrons anyway.

“Hey, baby.”

Dakota didn’t bother looking behind her. Her hand slid into her purse, grasped the stun gun she always had close by.

“So it’s like that, eh? Too rich for us?”

“Not interested,” she called behind her shoulder, hoping the guys would get the hint. There were three of them, all wearing black, brown skin, black hair.

Returning to this bar was checked off her list. Her car was five feet away.

“C’mon, babe. Take a chance.”

She avoided a panic and then heard footsteps catching up with her.

Dakota slipped the stun gun out of her purse and clicked off the safety. She didn’t scare easily, but wasn’t afraid to admit to herself that she was out of her element.

“Hey!” She heard the shout right as a hand grasped her shoulder and spun her around.

The self-defense weapon was engaged and screeching with an ear-shattering pitch. The sparks of the device briefly lit the space between her and her enemy. Without looking, she shoved it at the hand holding her.

“Oh, fuck!” The hand dropped and Dakota took a giant step back.

From the bar, she heard laughter. The three men taunting her were still standing there.

Kneeling on the ground, holding his arm, was Walt.

“Oh, God.”

Dakota dropped her purse and moved beside him. “Are you OK? Oh, no.”

“Damn, woman.”

“I thought you were them . . . I’m sorry.”

Walt’s eyes were closed, and his arm kept twitching.

She’d never actually had to use the stun gun on anyone before. It obviously worked.

“She got you!” One of the guys yelled across the lot.

Dakota flipped the hecklers the bird and helped Walt to his feet.

“What the hell was that?”

The weapon was still clenched in her grip. “A girl can never be too careful.”

Walt kept rubbing his arm where the electricity had met his skin.

“Does it hurt?”

Walt met her eyes. His frown said everything.

“Sorry. Really.”

“Serves me right for being late.”

He wore scrubs and plump, turned-down lips. “You look exhausted.”

“I-I am. I knew trying to hook up after work wasn’t the best idea.”

Dakota retrieved her purse from the parking lot asphalt. “You’re a doctor . . . goes with the territory.”

He looked around. “Where’s Dale . . . Valerie?”