“They’re holding off on surgery?” I ask.
“For now. His CT didn’t show any bleeding.”
“Works for me.” I put my pen in my pocket, fold up my piece of paper, and slip it in beside it.
“Hey, I heard you know the new hot attending.”
Here we go. It’s as if a celebrity walked into the hospital, and now I’m part of it. I was shocked when Aston said he never told anyone that I’m off-limits. Michaela told me she had heard a few of the male residents and a couple of nurses from thePACU team talking about how Aston told them that I’m his best friend’s little sister and no one is to touch me. I was furious. Rightfully so.
But maybe Michaela simply misheard, or that off-limits crap came from Josh. Who knows. Regardless, I heard two techs gossiping about Aston in the café off the lobby this morning as I was getting coffee. I’m seriously starting to wish he worked in a different hospital.
I didn’t stay long this morning after the bathroom incident. I said good morning to Zoey and wished her a good first day, but then I got my cute ass out the door.
Aston wasn’t dressed for work. He was wearing running clothes, including a shirt that clung to his chest, arms, and abs, showing off every detail of the muscle the man is made of. For a moment, I was tempted to drop the towel until I remembered who he is and that I can’t stand him. Oh, and I’m focusing on me and not men.
“Uh-huh,” I say noncommittally.
“He’s gorgeous. Seriously freaking gorgeous. I helped bring over a patient from the PACU earlier, and he had just gotten there afterrunninginto work. What is it about a hot, sweaty guy?” She fans her face. “So, tell me, what’s he like? Is he as dreamy?—”
I stand abruptly, cutting her off. “You probably want to get home. I’m sure it was a long shift.”
She giggles. “Or I’ll just wait until the new doctor comes in for rounds.”
“Unless Sky’s already claimed him,” Michaela unhelpfully provides, joining us and playing with a pen in her hands. “He’s a Hughes. Besides, didn’t you hear the gossip going around? He asked for her personally yesterday for a tour.”
I glare at her. “It wasn’t like that.”
“No?” Michaela questions, smirking mischievously at me.
“No,” I reply adamantly, a little miffed that she’s teasing melike this, especially in front of other people. “He’s my brother’s best friend. That’s all.”
Alison tilts her head at me until recognition dawns on her face. “Oh. Right. Wow. For some reason I always forget you’re a Fritz. Maybe it’s because your last name is different.” Her eyes go wide with interest. “So, if you’re not dating him, is he single? Give me all the details.”
I sigh. “I’m not involved in his personal life enough to know anything.”
“You won’t mind if I make a pass at him?”
“Or any of us single women.” Michaela laughs, shoving the pen in her chest pocket and adjusting her stethoscope. “Because damn, he’s hot. Skylar shouldn’t get all the hot men around here.”
Something sticky and weird churns in my stomach. The milk in my coffee from the café must have gone bad. “Go for it,” I tell them, scratching at a sudden itchy spot on the back of my neck. “He’s all yours. Josh too, for that matter. I want nothing to do with trauma surgeons.”
“Talking about me already?” comes a voice from behind me, and I close my eyes. There really is no escaping this man. As much as I like Zoey, I need to find my own place stat.
I turn and find Aston in full surgeon mode with a cup of coffee in his hand, blue scrubs on with his long-sleeved shirt pushed up to the elbows, revealing strong, tan forearms. His blond hair is a little damp from a shower, and his jawline, which really should be illegal for how chiseled it is, is smooth. Then there’s the smug look in his blue eyes.
“Hi,” Alison says with a breathy rasp. “We didn’t get a chance to meet this morning. I’m Alison.”
“Hi Alison. I’m Aston.” He shakes her hand, and I think Alison is going to pass out. “Nice to meet you.” He nods at Michaela. “Good morning, Michaela.”
“Good morning, Doctor.” Her face is as red as her hair, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen Michaela blush for anyone.
“Are you ready for rounds?” He asks me like I’m a child and don’t know how to do my job.
“Yes.” That’s all I say.
“Excellent. Because, as luck would have it, I believe my first patient here is yours.” He doesn’t seem happy about that, and neither am I.
“He was my patient overnight. I’m happy to stay and talk you through him,” Alison offers, inching closer only to have Michaela do the same on the other side of him, and seriously, ladies? Way to play it cool.
