Page 78 of Slow Burn

The nurse gave a tight smile, as if he was trying to find his patience with Elijah. “What brings you back? Are you sick?”

“Aren’t you supposed to check my vitals and then get the doctor?” Elijah was there to see Georgia, not banter with the nurse.

A friendly knock and then the door swung open. Georgia held a clipboard, likely containing all his medical information, and smiled at the nurse. Lucky bastard.

“Was he giving you a hard time?” she asked Marquis.

Marquis shot a dirty look at Elijah. “I figured out why he scheduled an appointment. Good luck, Doctor.” The nurse left them alone, but Georgia was the one who shut the door.

But when she turned around, her smile was gone.

“Why are you here?” Georgia leaned against the wall.

“You were right.”

Taking a few steps to him, she placed her hand in front of him. “How many fingers am I holding up?”

He cracked a smile, grabbing her wrist to pull her closer to him. “I don’t have a concussion.”

Georgia didn’t step away from him, but she let out a breath as if she was defeated.

“Elijah, tell me why you are here.”

“Like I was saying, you were right.” Groveling was not fun. Elijah bit the inside of his cheek. “I wasn’t in the right headspace to be your friend. Will you give me another chance?”

Finally, she laughed, and it was like music to his ears.

“You could have called me instead of making a bogus doctor appointment. I doubt insurance will pay for this.”

He continued to hold her wrist because he was afraid if he let go, she would leave. “I couldn’t take the risk you wouldn’t answer. And I’m not trying to go to prison for insurance fraud. I paid for the visit out of pocket.”

“That’s what some people would call a stage-five clinger,” she reminded him with a knowing grin.

He shrugged, even if it was the most outrageous action he’d ever taken to see a woman.

“Maybe,” he responded. Without being able to control himself, he kissed her palm. “But I want to see you again, when you’re not working.”

With one hand on her hip, her dark-green eyes sparkled with defiance. “The last time we spoke, you couldn’t be my friend, hook up with me, or date me. I already have two brothers, and trust me, I don’t need any more. Where did this change of heart come from?”

“I miss you,” Elijah blurted. Georgia took a step away, but he pulled her back to him.

She glanced at the door. “I’m at work. This is unprofessional.”

“I’m a patient.”

And he was not willing to give up until she promised to see him again.

Georgia rolled her eyes. “You think I let patients touch me like this?”

“You better fucking not,” he barked, hating the thought of someone else’s hands on her. “Fuck, that was uncalled for.”

She tilted her head. “Especially from someone who isn’t sure if they can even be my friend.”

“Let me fix this,” Elijah rushed. “Spend time with me.”

“Fine.”

Elijah winced because the word fine was still a sore subject after Nash berated him.