**Chapter 7: "Coffee Break"**

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the hospital's corridors, enticing Pam to take a break from the chaos of the ER. She grabbed a cup and headed to the quiet corner of the hospital where the doctors often gathered during their downtime. As she turned a corner, she spotted Dr. John Carter sitting at a small table, sipping his own coffee. Pam's heart skipped a beat as their eyes met, and she couldn't help but feel a spark of attraction. She walked over to the table, trying to play it cool. "Mind if I join you?" she asked, nodding towards the empty chair across from him. Carter smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Not at all, Pam. Please, have a seat." As she sat down, Pam felt a sense of ease wash over her. The tension in her shoulders began to dissipate, replaced by a warm, fuzzy feeling in her chest. Carter asked her about her day, and they chatted about everything from the latest hospital gossip to their personal lives. Pam found herself opening up to Carter in ways she never had before. She told him about her love of hiking and her passion for her work as a social worker. Carter listened intently, his eyes sparkling with interest. As they talked, the conversation turned flirtatious. Carter teased her about her quick wit, and Pam playfully rolled her eyes. The banter between them was effortless, and Pam felt like she'd known Carter for years, not just a few weeks. Just as things were starting to get cozy, the sound of footsteps interrupted their conversation. Luka Covac appeared, a cup of coffee in hand, and a sheepish grin on his face. "Sorry to intrude, but I saw Pam and thought I'd join you both." Pam's heart sank, and she felt a twinge of guilt. She hadn't meant to lead Carter on, but she couldn't deny the chemistry between them. As Luka sat down, the three of them exchanged awkward smiles. Carter stood up, his eyes never leaving Pam's face. "We were just catching up, Luka. I'll let you two chat for a bit." As Carter walked away, Pam felt a pang of disappointment. She'd enjoyed their conversation, and she couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if they'd been alone. Luka cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "So, how's your day been, Pam?" Pam shrugged, trying to shake off the feeling of unease. "It's been good. Just busy, as usual." Luka nodded, his eyes locked on hers. "I know the feeling. But I'm glad we ran into each other. It's nice to have some downtime." As they sipped their coffee, Pam couldn't help but feel like she was stuck in a love triangle. Carter and Luka were both charming, intelligent, and kind, and she couldn't deny her attraction to both of them. The conversation between her and Luka was pleasant, but Pam's mind kept wandering back to Carter. She wondered if he'd been feeling the same spark she had, and if he'd wanted to take their conversation further. As they finished their coffee, Luka stood up, his eyes never leaving hers. "It was great running into you, Pam. Maybe I'll see you around?" Pam smiled, feeling a sense of uncertainty. "Definitely." As Luka walked away, Pam couldn't help but feel like she was standing at a crossroads. She had feelings for both Carter and Luka, and she had no idea which way to turn. The hospital's chaos seemed to fade into the background as Pam's thoughts swirled. She knew she had to make a decision, but her heart was on call, and she couldn't ignore the beeping of her emotions any longer.