I carry my laptop back to my desk, dropping into my chair with a sigh.Violet leans over, eyes curious.“How’d it go?”
“Yeah, good.”
She raises an eyebrow.“What does that mean?”
“This can go online and print, but she wants me to interview Adrian.”
Violet’s eyes widen.“Oh?”
I nod.“I need to get his side of the story.”
Her lips press together, and then she chuckles.She tries to hide it, but she fails, and soon, I’m laughing too.
“Just my luck.”I shake my head.
Violet grins.“Gotta hang out with him more.Come on, it’s not that bad.There are worse things to look at.”
She wiggles her eyebrows at me, knowing we both admitted that Adrian’s attractive.
“Listen, I’m not saying it’s going to be the worst thing in the world,” I say.“Just that I don’t necessarily want to do it.”
She shrugs.“Well, you’ve got no choice now.”
I sigh.“Yeah, I think he started today at the hospital.So now I just have to figure out… do I visit him there, or do I go to his place?”
Violet laughs.“You’re probably better off catching him at work.”
I groan.“Great.Looks like I’m heading to the hospital this afternoon.”
Violet grins, sing-songing, “Can’t wait for the stories.”
I groan again, but secretly, I wonder what exactly I’m walking into.What if he refuses?What if he brushes me off or turns it into a fight?I need this interview to land.Luna’s watching, and if I can’t handle one doctor—especiallythisone—what does that say about me?About the promotion?
Hours later, I arrive at the town hospital, my nerves bundled tight.I push through the cold air, my hands stuffed into my pockets, regretting not bringing a jacket.The cold cuts at my skin as I step inside, the fluorescent lights harsh against the sterile white walls.
I make my way to the emergency reception desk, glancing around.Patients wait in plastic hospital chairs, staff move with urgency, the smell of antiseptic fills my nose.I’ve never liked hospitals.Too many recent memories with Mom.The familiar woman behind the desk doesn’t look up, her fingers tapping away on her keyboard.“Hey, Nina, do you know when Dr.Pierce is finishing up?”
“Amelia.Nice to see you.Looking to check him out?”Nina eyes me curiously, the corner of her lips lifting, as if she knows something I don’t.
I scoff, shaking my head.“Hardly.I just need an interview.I’m writing an article.”
Her knowing smile remains, but she doesn’t give me the information I need.As I step outside, the cold air wraps around me again.With my phone in hand, I start jotting down notes.This article must be good.One more strong piece, and the promotion is as good as mine.
The automatic doors slide open, and my head snaps up.
It’s not him.
I exhale, glancing back down at my notes, but anticipation tightens in my chest.My fingers numb as I scroll through my notes, trying to distract myself.
Then, finally, the doors part, and my breath catches.
Adrian steps out, suit pants hugging his frame, shirt slightly wrinkled, tie loosened just enough to make him look effortlessly undone.His dark hair is slightly tousled… end-of-the-day hair.His strong jaw is tight, blue eyes sharp as they land on me.
I swallow hard.
“Hi.Have a good day?”I say, forcing a casual smile despite the ridiculous flutter in my chest.It’s nothing.Just nerves about the article.The promotion.The pressure to make this interview count.
At least, that’s what I tell myself.
