* * *
My car starts on the first turn, and what’s even better is that the heating works. I am grateful, but I have no idea why Aidan Wild would do something this . . . thoughtful for me. I pull up at the hospital.I’m off, but I want to thank Aidan, and Kyle might be the only way to.
“Well, you look like shit,” Tamara tells me when I walk in.
“Gee, thanks, Tam. I wouldn’t if you didn’t expect me to work twenty-four hours a day.”
“Thank you, by the way. Those three hours you gave me helped a lot.” She yawns. “I need to sleep.”
“And even in this state, you’re thinking about clubbing.”
“Oh, come on, we’re young, wild, and free,” she tells me.
“Go on, get some sleep.” I throw my arms around her. “I’d be a hermit if it weren’t for you.”
Tammy is overly dedicated, and like me, works more than she is paid for. But we do it because no one else will. I always knew I wanted to be a part of something greater. I don’t have regrets. I make a difference every single day. Somebody like me treated my parents ten years ago, and someone like me held my hand when I had to say goodbye.
“Hello, pretty lady,” Kyle Wills greets when I walk in. He is in high spirits this morning. “Any idea when Doc Kent will be doing her rounds?”
I smile. “Not till later tonight, lover boy.”
He groans. “So, how’d your date with Aidan go?”
“?Date’?” I splutter, unable to contain the laughter. “He dropped me off at my house.”
It’s interesting to know that he told his friend about it. Kyle laughs. “Yeah, well, count yourself lucky. My friend is no prince charming, and yet he chose to save a damsel in distress.”
I roll my eyes. “I am no damsel in distress. I didn’t want to come back here, so I took his offer.”
“Ah,” he says slyly. “Still, it’s not very often he does something like that.”
“He is in the business of helping people, need I remind you?”
“Good point. But he doesn’t give women lifts home. I don’t know when was the last time he had a chick in that death trap he calls a truck.”
“Well, let’s not over-analyze, shall we?” I smile at him sweetly. The last thing I care about is whether Wild likes me or not. “Look, I want to thank him. Can I have his number, or can you tell me which station you’re based at?”
“You can have both, pretty lady. In exchange for Dr. Kent’s number.”
“Sneaky, except, she’s kinda like my boss. I could put in a good word for you, though.”
I step outside Kyle’s room, grinning, and I’m met with Aidan carrying a little girl in his arms and a pretty blonde beside him. I feel a tinge of jealousy I cannot explain. Of course, he’s taken. So much for not being good with people.
I turn on my heels and am almost disappeared behind the nurses’ station when he calls me. “Ocea.”
This was such a bad idea, coming here. “Ocea,” he calls again.
I turn, and they both come to a stop beside me. “Hey, how are you?”
“Good. I’m good.” I smile too enthusiastically.
“Uhm…this is Meghan and Gaby.” He smiles at the little girl. “Kyle’s ... This is his daughter, and Meghan is his...” He looks between us awkwardly, and I want to laugh.
“I’m Kyle’s fiancée,” the lady tells me. Aidan widens his eyes.
“They’re in the transfer room,” I tell them, pointing to the door behind them.
Aidan sets Gaby down, and she and Meghan walk away to see Kyle.
