We step out into the hall, and Aston logs into my computer to start inputting orders and get the OR going.
“Are you going to freeze his nerves to help with his pain?” I ask as I stare over his shoulder and take note of what he’s doing.
“If I can, that’s my plan. I have a feeling one of those broken ribs is poking something it shouldn’t be. He’s bleeding from somewhere.”
“I agree. He doesn’t look right to me. How did Zoey do getting off this morning?”
“Good,” he replies, typing away. “She was excited, which helps. We’ll see if she liked it tonight.”
“People are gossiping about us,” I whisper, keeping my voice low so it doesn’t carry.
He throws me a side-eye. “I know. I heard a bit of it this morning, and someone already asked me how I know you. It seems like the gossip is mixed and a bit jumbled. It wasn’t from me. I swear.”
“I believe you. I just don’t like it.” It was probably Josh talking shit. Had to be. “But with that, we really need to keep our professional distance.”
He nods as he logs out and faces me. “I agree. The last thing I want is someone thinking we’re together and having you ruin my chances with all the nurses.”
I roll my eyes at him, and his lips bounce up into a teasing smile.
“Anything specific you want from me?” I ask, getting back to work. “He already has a large bore IV and has been typed and crossed.”
“Keep the parents from freaking him out too much.” He cants his head. “You could come watch me in action.”
My eyebrows bounce. “I beg your pardon?”
“In the OR.”
“Why would I want to do that?”
“You might like me more if you saw what I can do with my hands. I’m very talented, and I know you’ve been missing that action in your life.”
My jaw drops. “I can’t believe you said that. Didn’t we just say we were going to be professional?”
He smirks. “No one’s around. That was for your bullshit at dinner last night. Now we’re even and can both stop getting off on riling the other up.”
“But you already know I have trouble getting off.”
He grunts, and I laugh.
“Did I really rile you up?” I don’t know why I ask. It’s a dumb question. There is no good answer either way. That’s theold Skylar, who cared too much about the opinions of others, and because of that, I don’t allow him to answer. “Forget that.” The last thing I want is more gossip about me. I already had plenty after I broke up with Josh. I give him a shove so he’ll back up. He’s too close and smells incredible. “Take good care of my patient in surgery, Dr. Hughes.”
“I plan to, Nurse Davenport.” He takes another step back. “Incidentally, I’m taking your Josh into the OR with me. Anything I should know about him?”
Only that he’s not my Josh anymore, and you make me feel a million times more sexy and desirable than he did the entire time I was dating him, which is freaking sad and pathetic.
“Nope. But he’s a surgeon’s surgeon.”
“What does that mean?”
I snort a sardonic laugh. “He’s cocky and arrogant and thinks he’s God. Same as you do. I’m sure you’ll get along just fine.”
He stares into my eyes for a long, silent moment as if he’s attempting to read something within me. Finally, he blinks and, without another word, walks off.
“I doubt that,” he calls back to me, still facing ahead. “See you later, Skylar.”
Then he’s gone, and I wish he hadn’t answered. I wish he had left it where it was. I really need to cut out all toxic and unavailable men from my life. I’m not doing myself any favors by continuing whatever this is with Aston.
I head into the break room and slip my phone from my pocket to pull up my group chat with my friends.
