Page 53 of That Last Secret

“Have a good rest of your night,” I say as I slip past her and make my way to the nurses’ station.

I stand on the other side of the desk, leaning on my elbows over the surface that separates us to look at Emiline over the computer screen. She keeps her eyes fixed on the desktop, typing away. When she realizes I’m not moving, her blue eyes meet mine, and her stark beauty hits me right in the chest. Something about her wearing that royal blue color makes her eyes shine much brighter up close.

“Can I help you?” Emiline asks in a very professional tone.

A smile plays on my lips. “Just checking on you,” I lie because, quite frankly, I have no idea why I’m standing here. I should have left after that conversation with Andrea. I should have left with Silas when I had the chance.

She scoffs. “That’s unnecessary. But if youmustknow how I’m doing, I’m tired as hell, and I still have seven hours left. I truly will never make it.”

“That’s a bit dramatic.”

Emiline’s expression remains blank as she stares at me, but she averts her gaze from mine and back to her computer screen and goes back to typing as if I’m not even standing here anymore.

Is she… jealous?

After watching my interaction with Andrea, that has to be what this is.

“You know; you could get some coffee.” I smile down at her. I don’t know why I’m smiling, but for some odd reason, I can’t help it. It’s like it’s happening on instinct. Especially when I see her sitting there inmyclothes. “The stuff that’s filled with caffeine. That helps people stay awake.”

“Hilarious.” She shoots me a cheeky grin as she crosses her arms over her chest, leaning back in the chair. “Did you come here to make jokes?”

I lift a shoulder. “I’m just saying hi.”

It’s Emiline’s turn to smile. The way she does sends my heart rate into overdrive, because it’s fucking stunning when she does.

“That’s not what you said. You said you were checking in on me.”

“Isn’t that the same thing?”

“No.”

“Fine.” I smack the counter lightly and turn on my heel. “Grab some coffee, will ya?” I tell her over my shoulder as I retreat away.

“Okay, Daddy. Whatever you say,” she says in a smug tone.

My steps falter, and I pause momentarily before shaking myself out of them and walking away. I refuse to acknowledge what Emiline just called me because if I do, I will say something I should definitely not be saying right now.

An hour after we leave, Silas and I grab a coffee at the place outside of the hospital.

“Are you good if I run home and let the dogs out?” Silas asks as we’re about to leave the coffee shop. He always leaves at some point each night shift to let his two dogs out.

“Yeah, no problem.” I nod. “Keep your radio on.”

“You got it, boss.”

I sip my all-black coffee, watching Silas walk out and head toward his apartment. Once he’s out of sight, I look at the menu on the wall behind me with the different types of caffeinated beverages available. My eyes land on the word peppermint.

I can’t believe it’s on the menu in the heat of summer.

I must be losing it because I find myself returning to the counter and placing another order. Before I know it, I’m back in the emergency room with a large, iced peppermint mocha latte in hand.

Emiline’s eyes widen when I approach the nurses’ desk. She scans her surroundings before looking back at me. “What are you doing back here?”

I raise the iced latte toward her, trying my best to keep my face void of emotion. “This is for you.”

Her jaw hangs open as she looks from me to the cup. “Why?”

“I know how these overnight shifts are. I wanted to get you something to help you get through your shift.”

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