“Well,” she says, tapping her fingernails against her desk.“I’m glad he’s here.And this is a great article.Your best work yet.”
A warmth spreads through me.“Thanks, Luna.”
“Get it scheduled for print.”
I hold back a grin.“Will do.”
Back at my desk, I pull out my phone, staring at his number.I shouldn’t text him.But I want to.We agreed to keep things a secret.But after sharing something so intimate yesterday, the distance almost feels cruel.
Me:The article was a huge hit with my boss.Thank you.I feel the promotion coming.
A response comes almost immediately.
Adrian:I never doubted you.
Chapter 20
Adrian
“Hey,Dr.Pierce.”
Sitting at the nurses’ station, I hear Dr.Lowell approach.I look away from the patient’s chart to find him standing next to me.He’s about my age, with dark hair and sharp eyes that rarely miss anything.
“Hey,” I reply, adjusting the tablet in my hands.
“How’s it going today?”His tone is casual, but the fact that he’s even asking surprises me.Most of the staff here are polite enough, but there’s still certain people who are not quite sure what to make of me yet.But Lowell’squestion feels genuine, like he wants to know.
“Good,” I answer, keeping my expression neutral.“Just catching up on patient notes.You?”
“Same.”His gaze flicks over my notes before meeting mine again.“How are you settling in?”
“It’s been good,” I admit, tapping the edge of the tablet with my thumb.“The work’s decent.I’m enjoying it.”I hesitate for a minute before adding, “Had a tough case this week.A teenager came in with a severe asthma attack that spiraled into respiratory failure.We weren’t sure she’d pull through, but this afternoon…” I sigh heavily.“She opened her eyes, breathing on her own.We finally turned a corner.It’s been a win.”
“Nice work.”He nods in approval as he grabs a stethoscope from the desk and loops it around his neck.
I shift in the chair.“You just started your shift?”
“Yeah, nights this week.”He rolls his shoulders, like he’s shaking off the last bit of his day before settling in.
“I’ve had all shifts,” I say before I can stop myself.
“You’re still the new guy.So they throw you into the deep end.”He chuckles.
I nod, tucking that thought away.There’s something reassuring about the way he says it, like being the new kid is only temporary, and I’ll earn my place here eventually.It’s not something I expected to matter to me, but it does.“I’m used to it.Did nights all the time in the city.”
“Right, city life,” he says, watching me like he wants to say more but doesn’t.
It’s silent between us before he straightens.“I’d better get moving.Got rounds to do.You probably have things you’re trying to tie up before heading out.”
“Yeah, alright.”
“See you around, Pierce.”
“See you.”
As soon as he walks off, I return to my notes, but I can still feel a stare on me.
“Well, that was interesting,” a voice mutters.
