The rest of the afternoon and evening was spent putting together a pitch. Zoe stayed awake late into the night, making sure everything was perfect. She had statistics. She had a roll-out plan for how to boost the doctor’s social media presence. She had an idea for a reality TV show that would feature him as the handsome, heroic doctor embroiled in small-town drama.
There had to be drama, of course.
By the time she went to bed, Zoe was feeling optimistic, if a bit sleep-deprived.
Early the next morning, she took a bus out to the airport. When she landed in Burlington a few hours later, she rented a car for the last stretch. In just a few hours, she was going to meet the “Hottest Doctor Alive,” and she was going to convince him to become her client. She could do this. Shehadto. It was the only way to keep her career afloat.
CHAPTER 5
NATHAN
Nathan stepped into the waiting room, and his heart dropped. The small room was completely packed. One of his regular patients, a young woman bouncing a toddler on her knee while soothing her crying newborn, was squished into her seat next to a man with a camera snapping shots of the lobby. Olivia, the woman in the tight dress who’d tried to flirt with him the day before, was back, and she kept trying to make eyes at him across the waiting room. One man was filming himself on his phone as he talked about seeing the “Hottest Doctor Alive.”
Today’s nurse, Thomas, was going from patient to patient, asking for names and concerns. Maya was on the phone, and she made a worried face at Nathan. As he approached, he heard part of the conversation.
“I understand, Mr. Jennings, and I’d love to squeeze you in today, but we’re completely overrun. I can get you an appointment on Tuesday, or I can refer you to another practice nearby.”
Pause.
“I know that you’re concerned, Mr. Jennings, but?—”
Pause.
Nathan came over and held out his hand. Looking grateful, Maya handed the phone over. She looked more frazzled than ever. She was clearly biting her nails, which were painted lime green today.
“Hi, Mr. Jennings,” Nathan said. “This is Nathan Hale.”
“Thank goodness.” Arnold Jennings sounded near panicking. “You told me to come in if little Lily spiked a fever, and she’s very warm this morning.”
Lily was a four-month-old baby who Arnold and his wife had recently adopted.
“Of course. Come right in, and I’ll make time to see you.”
“Thank you.”
Nathan handed the phone back to Maya, who made a face at him.
“Doc, I know you want to see everyone, but it just isn’t possible.” She gestured to the packed waiting room. “You don’t have time. We’re, like, totally booked out.”
“I’ll make time for my regular patients. I have to. And if people come in who aren’t my patients, just send them away.”
“I’m trying.” Maya shrugged helplessly. “It’s not easy. They just won’t leave.”
Nathan sighed and turned to survey the waiting room. Olivia waved at him, and the man with the camera stood and hurried over.
“Can I take a picture with you?” he asked.
“No.” Nathan folded his arms. “In fact, Mister…”
“I’m Jeremy, Jeremy Banks, from theVermont Sun.” The man held out a hand, but Nathan ignored it. “I’d love to get a quote.”
“No,” Nathan repeated. “Mr. Banks, I’d appreciate it if you left. Now.”
“Mr. Hale, this will only take a moment of your time?—”
“It’s Dr. Hale, actually,” Nathan said. “I say that because it looks like a few people here need reminding about what I do.” He turned to look at the other people waiting. “Take a look around. I have actual patients that I need to see, and I absolutely don’t have time to take photos or give interviews. So, if you don’t urgently need medical attention, please leave. Now.”
There was a pause, then Jeremy Banks from theVermont Sunturned on his heel and went to sit back down. Nathan looked pointedly at a few other people, but no one else left either. Stifling a sigh, he turned back to Maya.
