“Sure.”
It felt weird to push the topic any further. Besides, I had a feeling our paths would eventually cross, considering how connected we were.
I moved in the opposite direction of where he stood, and when I got to the corner that separated the living room from the foyer, which would block us from seeing each other, I turned toward him.
He was still looking at me, something that shocked the hell out of me. But his expression was unreadable, and his eyes seemed almost haunted.
“Don’t be surprised if Jordan brings Ben a box of vanilla cupcakes with extra frosting.”
He dragged his teeth over his thick bottom lip, a gesture that screamed of hotness. “From you?”
“He was an amazing patient.”
“But he lost the bet—you didn’t hurt him.”
“To be honest, I have a feeling I did. I think he was just being tough.” I smiled and rounded the corner, pressing the button for theelevator. It was already here, the door opening, and I stepped inside, resting against the back wall after I hit the “L” button.
Just as the door was closing, my phone beeped from my scrubs pocket, and I pulled it out, reading the text on the screen.
Dr. Kaplan’s Office:Your shift is over. As soon as you’re done with your patient, let me know and I’ll clock you out. Thanks, Emily.
Chapter Two
Gavin
There was only one thing to do when the most gorgeous woman I’d ever seen in my life turned down my offer and walked out of my condo. That was to pour myself a scotch and immediately bring it to my lips, staring at the last spot where I’d seen her, swallowing until the glass was empty.
Emily, I don’t know who the hell you are aside from the woman who just rescued my son ... but damn, girl, you’re fucking beautiful.
The entire time she was helping Ben, I couldn’t take my eyes off her. The gentleness she used with him, the patience. The stuffed dog that was aimed to distract him. How she showed him everything she was going to do before she did it so she wouldn’t scare him off.
And that smile, shit. I couldn’t get enough.
I glanced away from the wall that she’d disappeared behind and looked at the ceiling, knowing I needed to get my ass upstairs and deal with Ben, addressing the drama he’d stirred up tonight. That boy had scared me half to death when he came down from his room, screaming and panicked that he couldn’t get that goddamn thing out of his nose. And when I’d tried to remove it, more shouting erupted.
If Dr. Kaplan hadn’t sent Emily over, we would have been at the ER for probably most of the night. But even though it had only takena phone call and Ben’s issue was solved, that wouldn’t always be the case, and Ben needed to understand that. He needed to know that just because I had every resource at my fingertips didn’t mean there weren’t consequences.
That was the talk I was about to have with him as I stepped away from my wet bar to head upstairs. I didn’t make it more than a few paces before I heard the elevator, the low-pitched ding that went off when it arrived, the sweeping of the door as it opened.
I halted by the edge of the couch, listening to the sound of rubber soles move across my wooden floors, and when they silenced, Emily was peeking around the wall that divided the living room and foyer. “I hope it’s okay that I came back?”
“Did you forget something?”
She leaned her shoulder against the edge. “No. I got a text from Dr. Kaplan’s office that I’m no longer on duty.” Her smile was soft yet charming as hell. “I thought I’d take you up on that drink.” She paused. “As long as you still want one.”
Having a drink with her was all I wanted.
Fuck, that wasn’t true.
But a drink was a solid place to start.
“Make yourself comfortable. I’m going to go check on Ben. I’ll be right back.”
“Hold on.” Even though she was looking at me, I got the feeling she was taking in the entire space around me. “Ben’s mom or someone who isn’t Ben’s mom isn’t going to be upset that I’m joining you for a drink ... are they?”
A fair question.
And a question I’d never been asked by any other woman.
