Will be super late to office today
Vagina emergency
Thanks
Sigh. Miss Talia. Her replacement is boring.
Settling at a computer in the empty dictation room, I tap my badge to unlock LEGENDARY. Gabriela sits at the computer next to me. The hair on the back of my neck rises, and I glance over my shoulder. No one’s there, but I do a double take at Gabriela, who’s making eyes at me.
She gives me a tentative smile. “Your patients adore you.”
They do. I’ve always known this. Just... forgot. So maybe it’s okay that I bring a little more fun to the whole endeavor. The serious ones can find a different doctor.
Wish they didn’t feel like they had to, though.
I shake my head at Gabriela because owning praise always feels weird. “Nah. She was just glad she didn’t have to do that in front of any of my awkward partners.”
“And humble, too.” She rubs her teeth along her bottom lip. “You— Doctor Foley, would you like to go to dinner with me this weekend?”
Ah. Okay. Deflect.
“Yeah, girl.” I give her my biggest grin. “Let’s get some folks together.”
“No.” She turns to face me, hands clasped tight in her lap. “I meant just you and me.”
My smile dims. “Oh. Um—”
“I thought— I thought maybe you had a girlfriend, but I heard you don’t, and—” She takes a breath. “I know others have asked, and you always make it a group thing, but I’m interested in having dinner with you. Just you. I think we could be... good.”
She really thinks that? Why? No, it doesn’t matter why. I work with her, which means it’s a no.
I lower my voice. “You’re a resident.”
“It’s not against the rules, Doctor Foley.”
I spin my chair and take her hand. “You aren’t even comfortable enough with me to call me by my first name. You barely know me.”
“Asher.” She swallows. “I know you’re kind. Funny. I know the way you are with your patients. I know you’re generous with your friends. I know enough to know that I want to know more. If you’re interested.”
Her bravery finally fails, and her dark-eyed gaze drops to my knees. Lustrous black hair falls around her face.
She’s quite pretty. I’ve tried not to notice this when we work together, but it’s glaringly obvious right now, especiallywith the blooming rosiness in her cheeks. For a split second, the memory of Jocelyn gazing up at me in that field of flowers flashes before my eyes, ringing like a gong in my head. She was devastating in that white dress.
Just a friend, though. She doesn’t matter.
Gabriela, on the other hand, is interested. So... now what? Say we go on a few dates. I find her charming and lovely and decide she’s everything I’ve ever wanted. She likes me for a little bit, then decides I’m not serious boyfriend material and dumps me for Dr. Dillhole down the hall.
Then we have to see each other every single day. Ugh. Been there, done that. Won’t do it again.
I squeeze Gabriela’s hand. “It’s not that I’m not interested. There’s a reason I always make it a group thing. I have my own rules about dating coworkers, Gabriela.”
Her gaze shoots up to mine. “Really?”
I nod. “I don’t date at work.”
“Right.” She spins back to the computer, eyes bright. “Sorry I asked.”
And I’m an asshole. She offers something real—exactly what I’m searching for—and I say no. Why? Because I work with her? Is that stupid?
