Chris kept quiet while she spoke, listening to the sound of her voice. Her words came out confidently, but there was this softness to her tone that almost lulled Chris to sleep. Instead of submitting to the feeling, he watched the rest of their tablemates lean in as she shared about new equipment that would make amputations easier for the patient.
The more she talked, the more Chris realized the depth of care she felt for her patients. She wasn’t excited to use a new tool for the tool’s sake or even for how it could benefit a surgeon. No, she simply wanted to help patients experience less pain.
“You sound like a great doctor,” he murmured at the end of her speech. The others at the table turned to their own conversations, so Chris continued speaking. “If I ever break a bone, I hope you’ll be the one doing the surgery.”
“I don’t know. It’s difficult for a surgeon to perform on someone they know. Sometimes there can be a conflict of interest.”
He gazed into her warm brown eyes. “For the patient or the doctor?”
“The doctor, obviously.” A little smile lifted one corner of her mouth. “You want a surgeon with steady hands, not one that will shake because of who’s on the operating table.”
“As long as you don’t treat me like a game of Operation, I think I’ll have the best chances with you holding the scalpel.”
She laughed. “My sister hated that game, but I found it fascinating. Plus, I always won.”
“Sounds like you’re definitely the one with the steady hands.” He took a deep breath, plunging ahead with a more personal line of questioning. “How many sisters do you have?”
“Just one. She’s younger.”
“Makes sense. You definitely have that oldest-sibling vibe going on.”
She chuckled. “Okay, only child.”
He let out a low whistle. “Calling me out like that, huh?”
“You started it.”
“Oh, you mean when I said oldest-sibling vibe?” He blinked innocently. “Obviously, I was talking about those wonderful, goal-oriented, independent skills you have. What did you think I meant?”
A blush filled her cheeks. “I’m not falling for your innocent act, Mr. Gamble.”
“Can we please drop the mister? I know I’m older. Believe me, my friends never let me forget. However, I feel like we’re within the same age range.”
“That’s a dangerous assumption,” Erykah’s lips twitched.
Probably. He’d already annoyed her once before, but their repartee had him continuing despite the warning going off in his head. “I’m going off Operation and nothing else. You’re gorgeous, so I’d totally guess early thirties except I doubt my friends in that age group know what that game is.”
She chuckled. “Fine. I’m a member of the forties club.”
“As am I.” Two years in, in fact. But being forty-two didn’t feel much different from forty in his opinion.
“What year?” She arched a brow.
“Now who’s asking indecent questions?”
Why did he love making her blush like that?You know why.
“Do you joke this much with your friends?”
While eating his salad, he’d been ready to throw in the towel. But now with her studying him so guilelessly, he wanted to take the plunge into dangerous territories.
“Only with them. I’m a little bit more serious with everyone else.”
A beam filled her face. “I’m glad to be included in that club ...Chris.”
That smile on her face made her absolutely breathtaking. Couple that with the use of his nickname, and his breath stuck in his chest.
“Chris?”
