My head spun as I walked Savannah outside, my sister running in at the same time.
“Mommy!” Savannah cried and rand into her mother’s arms. “Mommy! I missed you. My arm hurts a lot.” She wailed, letting her full-blown emotions out on her mother.
“I’m so sorry, Karen. I watched her the entire time. I couldn’t have stopped the fall if I tried.”
Karen looked at me and patted me on the shoulder. “Don’t apologize. It’s not your fault. Accidents happen. I just wish I could’ve gotten here sooner. Work was being a bitch and then I got stuck in traffic from a car accident.” She hugged Savvy closer. “I’m sorry, baby. I tried to get here as fast as I could.”
“I know, Mommy, it’s okay. I had Uncle C.”
Karen kissed the top of her head. “Come over for dinner. I’m making your favorite.”
“Meatloaf?”
“You got it.”
I grinned. “Say no more.”
Back at my sister’s place, we enjoyed a hearty meal of meatloaf, mashed potatoes with gravy, broccoli, and dinner rolls. After Savannah settled in front of the TV before her bedtime routine, I helped Karen clean up the kitchen.
“Earlier, when I was at the hospital with Savvy, the doctor who attended to us asked me out on a date.”
Karen’s mouth dropped open as the dish towel fell from her hands. “What? A doctor in the hospital asked you out?”
“Yes. Right in front of Savvy and everything. I mean, granted Savvy most likely didn’t hear. She was busy with the nurse, but it still put me off. Since when do women ask men out? And at their job? Kind of unprofessional. Besides, I work there. So, I said no.” I complained, all while Karen looked at me like I’d grown five heads.
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Because you’re an idiot.” Karen said and picked up the dish towel.
“How the hell am I an idiot?”
“When was the last time you were hit on, Cormac? Seriously, when? And by a doctor no less. Are you crazy?”
“She works at the same hospital as me. I couldn’t date her even if I wanted to.”
“Policies like that shouldn’t exist in the workplace. People meet and fall in love all the time. As long as you keep it professional and there’s no drama, then I don’t see the problem. You need a clean break up too. That’s probably where the real issue is. So don’t break up.” Karen smirked. “I’m kidding. But Ihonestly think if two people feel strong enough, they can make it work. They just need to be adults about it.”
“Okay, fine, I see your point. Even so, I’m good with how things are.”
“And what’s that? Being alone?”
“I don’t see you dating anyone either.”
“This isn’t about me. And maybe I am and I keep it quiet.”
“Yeah right, you would’ve spilled.”
“I’ve looked. There just isn’t anything that’s hit me yet.” Karen stuck out her tongue like she did when we were five and I rolled my eyes. “Let me ask you this. Are you interested in her?”
Her question made me pause.
Of course I was interested.
Dr. Hunt was gorgeous, unbelievably so, and all woman. She filled out her scrubs with her voluptuous curves, and I wanted to dig my fingers into her flesh and hear her scream my name.
I’d never felt about a woman the way I did when I looked at her.
She hadn’t left my mind since we left the hospital.
