Page 34 of Fourteen of a Kind

She turned, and our eyes locked.

“Morning.” She brightly smiled. “How’s it going so far?”

“It’s going great. I have some time before I have to return to the peds unit. Do you want to sit with me?”

She glanced at her watch. “I have thirty minutes before my next surgery.” She grinned.

We ordered our coffees, took them to a table, and sat down.

“I’ve been meaning to ask you. What was with that patient kicking you out of the room in the ER yesterday? It sounded like it was personal.”

She tipped the cup to her lips. “He’s my ex.”

“That douchebag?” My brow arched.

“Yeah. I caught him in the on-call room having sex with one of the nurses.”

“Gee, Ella. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. He’s an asshole.”

“How long were the two of you dating?”

“Six months. My family didn’t like him at all. My Uncle Christian fired him and Penelope after I told him what had happened.”

“Good. They both deserved it.” A smirk crossed my lips. “Mental note. Do not piss off a Kind.”

Ella chuckled.

“Listen. I don’t know if you have plans tonight, but I get off at seven. Maybe we could go grab a bite to eat.”

“I’d like that.” A beautiful smile crossed her face. “My cousin owns a great restaurant in Venice called Four Kinds.”

“Sounds great. I can pick you up.”

“That’s okay. I’ll meet you there. Say seven-thirty?”

“Seven thirty it is. I’m afraid you’ll have to give me your phone number.” I smirked. “Being a doctor and all, you never know what will pop up last minute.”

“Oh, don’t I know it. Hand me your phone.” She placed her palm face up.

Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out my phone and handed it to her. She entered her number and handed it back to me. I quickly sent her a text with the smiley face emoji.

“Now, you have my number, too, in case something comes up. I better get back to the peds unit. I’m looking forward to dinner.”

“Me too.” She smiled.

I let out a breath and stepped into the elevator. I was happy she agreed to have dinner with me. She was really the only person I knew. I had friends I’d made here before I was swept up and moved back to New York when I was thirteen, but I never kept in contact with any of them.

“Hey, Dr. Malone.” Chrissy, one of the peds nurses, flirted. “I know you’re new to California, and I thought you might want to get a drink after work. I know this great bar not too far from here.”

“Ah, as much as I’d love to, Chrissy. I have plans tonight. Maybe another time,” I said with a light smile as I walked away.

I was finally finished with my last patient. Glancing at my watch, it was already seven twenty. Thank God I kept extra clothes in my locker. I’d learn that the hard way. Pulling up Ella’s number, I texted her.

“Hi. I got tied up with a patient. I have to change, and then I’ll head out. I probably won’t get to the restaurant for another thirty minutes.”

“That’s okay. The life of a doctor, right?”

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