Page 30 of Fourteen of a Kind

“How is he?”

“He’s stable and hanging in there.” A beautiful smile crossed her lips. “What’s on the agenda for Dr. Malone today?”

“Since Dr. Ashley won’t be back until tomorrow, I’ll be doing rounds with Dr. Therese on the peds unit and helping out in the ER. I guess they’re down a couple of doctors.”

“Maybe I’ll see you down there.” She grinned. “I have to run. I have surgery in ten minutes.”

“Good luck. What type of surgery?”

“Craniotomy.”

“Sounds fun. Thanks for bringing me up here.”

“You’re welcome.” She smiled and walked to the elevator.

She was beautiful in ways I never noticed in other women. Her smile was infectious and one that could light up the darkest of rooms.

Ella

After my surgery, I got a page from Karla. Walking down to the ER, I stopped at the nurses’ station.

“You paged?” I smiled.

“There’s a patient in room four.” She handed me his chart. “He was brought in late last night.”

I looked at it and then up at her.

“I thought you’d want to know.” A smirk crossed her lips. “Couldn’t have happened to a better guy.”

“Karla.” I cocked my head.

“I know, Ella. I shouldn’t have said that, but come on. Deep inside, you’re loving it.”

I sighed and walked over to room four. Pulling the curtain, I stared at Landon, who lay there, his face covered in bruises, fat lip, and stitches in his forehead. He was kept overnight to be monitored for a concussion.

“What happened to you?”

“I got jumped last night outside my apartment building.”

“Did the police catch the person who did it?” My brows furrowed.

“No. It was a woman. A strong woman. And the weird thing is she didn’t even rob me.”

Shit. Shit. Shit.

“Did you get a good look at her?”

“No. She was all in black with a mask over her face.”

“Did she say anything to you?”

“Not a word. That fucking bitch. What woman goes around jumping guys?”

“I’m surprised Penelope isn’t here by your side.”

“Why would you say that? Jesus Christ, Ella. It was one time. I’m not dating her. Your uncle really fucked me over. I can’t get a resident position anywhere in Los Angeles.”

“You broke hospital policy, Landon. Your fault. Don’t blame my uncle.”

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