Then she asked Dylan and his parents some follow-up questions and jotted a few more things down on the patient’s file and dropped it back in the holder on the wall.
“I think you’re going to be fine.” Brooke clicked her pen closed and slid it back into the front pocket of her lab coat. Then she plopped herself down on the swivel chair Dr. Moreno had occupied. She entered some information into the computer. Then twisted to face Dylan, she wagged a finger at Dylan. “But no dodgeball for a few weeks.”
Dylan half smiled. His parents agreed to make him rest and recover properly.
“Well, I’m off.” She stood. “I wish you a speedy recovery.”
Logan wished Dylan the same then followed Brooke back out to the hallway.
He closed the door to Dylan’s hospital room. Nurses walked by them at a brisk pace. Random machines ticked and clicked. Brooke shifted to face him.
His heartrate racked up without his consent. “How was the bread?” Logan raised an eyebrow while simultaneously telling himself to simmer on down.
Act normal. Breathe.
Being around Brooke made forming coherent thoughts difficult. He found her more attractive than anyone else he had ever met.
“Delicious.” Brooke shoved her hands into the pockets of her lab coat. “Unfortunately, you were a witness to my rock bottom.” She gave him a tight smile. “I, now, plan on actively avoiding you anytime I see you, so I don’t die from the humiliation. If you see me again, I give you full liberty to completely ignore me.” Her eyes crinkled at the corners.
“I—” Logan placed a hand on his chest, “for one, enjoy a woman in sweatpants.”
Brooke scoffed while she managed to roll her eyes. “Have a nice life.” Then she brushed past him down the hallway in the opposite direction he needed to go.
Okay, humor and his weak attempt at flirting wasn’t going to cut it. But he always enjoyed a challenge. Logan jogged to catch up with her as she rounded the corner to the nurses’ station.
When he was two feet behind her, she whipped back and said, “Why are you following me? I wasn’t kidding when I said I’m going to try my best never to run into you again. It’s one thing to go to the store without a usable credit card, another to buy only two totally unhealthy items, and an entirely different animal to look like the cat dragged me in. Then to top it all off, the guy who helped me in my moment of pure misery is in fact my new colleague.” She narrowed her gaze. “I have no choice but to actively dodge you until the day I die.”
“Well, where’s the fun in that?” His lips twitched.
“Stop.” Brooke held up a hand. “I’m not kidding.” Then she pinched the bridge of her nose. “I’m not someone who does those things. You happened to be a witness to my total demise. A demise I want to never remember.” She dropped her hand and met his gaze.
“Oh, I could never forget you even if I tried.”
“Ahh,” she groaned. “This can’t be happening.”
Logan laughed.
“I’m glad you find my life amusing.”
He shrugged. “I’m only relieved it isn’t me for once. But for your information, my rock bottoms happen to include spicy Thai food.”
Her lips curled a smidge as the tight lines of her forehead loosened. “Pad Thai noodles?”
“Extra spicy.”
“Fine.” Brooke lifted her chin. “I’ll acknowledge your presence with a hello when I see you again.”
He placed his hand over his heart. “I’d be honored.”
She smirked. Her eyes danced with mischievousness.
“Now, tell me—did last night have anything to do with Dr. Moreno?” Logan tilted his head to the side. “Are you trying to avoid him, too?”
She crinkled her nose and gnawed on her bottom lip. “Was it that obvious?”
Logan rolled his hand back and forth. “No, and yes.”
“Geez,” she muttered. “Absolutely, fantastic.” She continued to the nurses’ station.
