Page 34 of Dr. Brandt

That was fine. I didn’t need the distraction of the man’s looks right now. Something told me that I was a little weak in the emotional department and that all it would take was Cam’s charming smile for me to melt.

That was definitely something that did not need to happen. Though, if I were honest with myself, I would’ve enjoyed seeing him.

“This way, Mom,” Jacks directed while I worked to keep up with my kid’s long strides.

“This hospital is lovely,” I said, seeing the technology that was integrated into the large pillars but somehow not standing out so boldly.

The place was bright and airy, welcoming in every sense of the word. There were tall windows placed strategically throughout to show the weeping willow trees, fountains, ponds, and every neatly manicured part of the hospital grounds outside. It was peaceful and serene, and I felt my smile grow wide, feeling more confident.

Perhaps that’s why this hospital was built this way, to breathe hope and confidence into anyone who walked through those doors. I knew I needed it, and it was certainly working on me.

We walked through double glass doors that automatically opened as we stepped toward them. A young man was sitting at the receptionist’s desk amongst three young women, whose laughs were silenced as we walked in.

I grinned. “Hi, I’m Jessica Stein, and this is my son, Jackson. We’re here to meet with Dr. Brandt and Lisa Jameson?”

“Dr. Brandt was called into surgery moments ago,” the young man said, bringing his attention to his computer screen. “One moment while I look to see if we will be rescheduling your appointment.”

I stepped back and looked at Jackson, who flashed his handsome smile at the younger blonde woman sitting next to the man helping us.

By the look on her face, specifically the flush in her cheeks, it was obvious that my son had the same effect on women that his father did.

“Ms. Stein?” the young man said after making a quick phone call as he clicked through screens on his computer monitor.

“Yes,” I stepped back up to the white marble counter.

“Okay, we’ll have you back in a moment. Dr. Palmer will be assisting in Dr. Brandt’s place. If you’ll follow me,” he rose, took off his headset, and walked around his desk. “I’ll take you to her.”

I pursed my lips and shrugged at Jackson, realizing that having a different doctor was probably for the best—for me, hormone-wise.

“Right this way,” the young man guided, motioning toward an open door to our left.

My eyes widened as we entered. The meticulously neat office space was every bit the Cameron that I knew and remembered loving so deeply. When we lived together for a short time in college, I got to experience the neat and tidy—to a fault—side of Cam. Some of his habits had permanently rubbed off on me, but I never got quite there with how painstakingly clean the man could be.

A pretty blonde woman sat behind a desk, taking a call. Her stethoscope hung around her neck and lay on her lab coat, leading me to assume this was Dr. Palmer. She looked over and made a motion for us to come in.

“If you’ll have a seat,” the young man advised while Dr. Palmer smiled and gave us a thumbs up. “Dr. Palmer will be right with you.”

“Thanks, Manuel,” I said, finally noticing the young man’s nametag.

“My pleasure,” he smiled, then dismissed himself, closing the door behind him.

“Great, and then we’ll go ahead with those assessments. I’m confident that before you move forward, Dr. Brandt will want to review these images.” Dr. Palmer said with a knowing laugh. “Yes, right. Okay, I’ll see you this afternoon, and I’ll let Dr. Brandt know that we’ll meet in conference room ten with the family. Perfect. Sure. Okay, goodbye.”

She hung up the phone and rose, walking briskly around the large walnut desk, prompting Jackson and me to stand.

“Hi, there. I’m Dr. Palmer, and it’s very nice to meet you both,” she said sweetly, extending her hand to shake mine and then Jackson’s. “Dr. Brandt wanted me to extend his apologies for not being here. He was unexpectedly called to assist in emergency surgery.”

“I hope everything is okay. We heard the hospital page him over the intercom when we got here,” I said, a bit worried that since Cam was a pediatric specialist, something must’ve gone wrong with a child.

“Everything will be fine,” Dr. Palmer reassured us. “Now, I’m quite excited to be the one to introduce both of you to our sweet little Lisa.” She smiled, and I could tell she was raptly changing the subject. “I think you will marvel at her strength, tenacity, and positivity. She is an amazing young woman.” She glanced down at her delicate, gold wristwatch. “But before we meet with her in a couple of minutes, do you have any questions for me? Again, Dr. Brandt is sorry he isn’t here, but let’s face it, he’s a bit boring, anyway.” She flashed a charming, mischievous smile, prompting a laugh from Jackson.

“We really don’t have any questions,” I said. “I’m sure I’ll think of them at the worst possible time, like while Lisa is telling us about her successes in recovery.”

“Always,” Dr. Palmer grinned.

Out of nowhere, I felt a twinge of jealousy, wondering if this beautiful doctor and my ex-boyfriend—the player from hell—had ever engaged in a relationship.

God help me. This was not the time or place for this utter nonsense. Jealousy was the ugliest emotion and even uglier when it wasn’t warranted. Yet, here I sat, sizing up this perfectly lovely, charming woman who was only doing her job. A job that she no doubt busted her ass to get.

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