The thought was more terrifying than my first solo surgery. I would have said something, but Dylan checked his watch. “Looks like we’re done for the day.”
I nodded. “Thanks.”
He showed me to the door, and I took the out as a way of keeping my shields up. One of these days, I was going to have to take them all down and find out what was behind them.
I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. What if what was back there wasn’t pretty?
What if I never faced it?
And which one was worse?
Chapter Fifteen
Emma
The next week passed quickly. True to my word, I reminded Alex about the upcoming service project every day. Sometimes by text. Sometimes in passing. Always with a smile, because I was happy. I loved the fact that reminding him gave me an excuse to talk to him.By the time the week was over, there was no way he could use the excuse “I forgot.”
In that time, I’d also found that he had a sarcastic sense of humor that was hilarious. I hadn’t been expecting him to be funny, but he got a laugh out of me every day.
And when we sat together over lunch in the cafeteria, he listened to what I had to say and seemed genuinely interested in me.My ex hadn’t done that—ever. I’d thought we’d had conversations, but it was usually me talking while he texted or answered emails. He’d nod and hum in all the right places, but our eyes had never met. Alex couldn’t seem to take his eyes off me. He was intense, but in the best way, giving me his undivided attention even in the middle of a busy cafeteria.
I was learning things about him too. One was his way of rubbing his jaw when he was deep in thought. It was a sexy move he didn’t know he was doing, and it made my stomach swirl like sugar being spun into cotton candy.
He was smart too. Which wasn’t a surprise—he was a heart surgeon, for the love of Pete. But I found that watching him think through a problem was fascinating. He didn’t jump for the easiest answer. He weighed options and came to a conclusion rather than trusting his gut.
Another thing I liked about him was that he didn’t like coconut-flavored anything and preferred milk chocolate over dark. Could he be any more perfect?
Saturday morning, when I walked into the outpatient clinic where the physicals were being done, I found myself looking for that now-familiar three-o’clock shadow.My hands grew moist and my breathing shortened knowing that I’d see him any second.
He was sitting by himself in a corner while the rest of my colleauges were talking around the buffet the hospital provided for the staff as a small thank-you for donating our time. My heart went out to him—the fish out of water that was sitting alone while everyone else mingled. I was the one who’d talked him into coming, and I had a suspicion that he was here for me.
I walked straight over to him. “Hey, stranger, it is so good to see you today,” I offered brightly.
“Hey there.” He breathed a small sigh of relief. “I was worried you were going to ditch me.” He offered me his dashing crooked grin and ran his hand nervously through his hair.
The move took my breath away as I watched his bicep bunch up. It should be illegal for him to be this handsome. Didn’t he know what it did to my insides? “I wouldn’t ditch you for all the tea in China, Dr. Mitchell.”I’d barely been able to get the words out. I was breathless and breathy and too hot all over.
He flashed me an honest smile that I wasn’t prepared for and almost knocked me off my feet.I stared at him, caught up in that grin and those blue eyes that broadcast all sorts of wonderful things. I should look away, but I couldn’t bring myself to turn. I was warm and happy right where I was; why would I leave?
Dr. Rasmussen tapped my elbow. The contact was jarring. Like I was on a swing, flying high, and he grabbed a chain, yanking me all sideways and out of rhythm. “Hi, Emma, I was hoping you would be here today.”
I glanced at Alex, trying to tell Dr. Rasmussen that he should also say hello to the other person standing there. When he didn’t, I jumped in to try and cover his social blunder. “Oh, hi. It’s good to see you too, Dr. Rasmussen.”I used my professional nurse voice and clasped my hands together in front of me.
“I’ve told you before, Emma, you can call me Nick.” Dr. Rasmussen and I had been friends for years. He always came to these events, and we occasionallyworked together on the TICU, as he was one of the general hospitalists. I’d gotten the vibe that he would be interested in us being more than friends on more than one occasion. I had no interest in dating him—ever. And I used his title to keep a level of distance between us.
“Dr. Rasmussen, do you know Dr. Mitchell?” I said, tilting my head towards Alex and bringing him into the conversation.
Alex took a protective step to my side. One I appreciated. Not that I needed him to protect me in this case, but I really liked that he wanted to.
“We’ve met, but we don’t know each other well,” Alex responded. “It is nice to see you again.” He extended his hand to Dr. Rasmussen for a handshake.
“Good to see you too,” Dr. Rasmussen said, but his voice was cold and he didn’t mean it. He briefly shook Alex’s hand as more of a formality and then turned back to me. “Where will we be working today?” he asked, leaning too close.
I barely refrained from rolling my eyes. This was why I didn’t want to date him—he couldn’t take a hint. No woman wants to go out with a man who can’t read the I’m-not-interested sign on her forehead.Even if Alex wasn’t there, I’d be sidestepping working with Dr. Rasmussen all day.
“This year, I’m working with Dr. Mitchell. Since this is his first year, I want to help him learn the ropes.” I leaned slightly toward Alex, noting the smell of fresh bread on his clothing. At some point I was going to have to ask if he lived above a bakery. The man was delectable.
Nick scowled at Alex. I didn’t know if he meant to or not, but he tried to cover it up with a forced smile. “All right, but don’t forget, we still need to go catch that Cubs game.” He confidently strode off as if I would be waiting by the phone to set a date. I swore that man thought he was a gift in my life, even though I’d given him nothing to build that belief on.
