Page 9 of Fractured

“You need to take him up on that, Kat.” She smiles devilishly.

“What? He was joking.” I haven’t seen Nick since the panty-melting kiss in aisle eight of Target. Now thinking about him joining me in my bubble bath has suddenly become spank bank worthy.

“All I know, if I was single, that’d be all the invitation I needed. He’s hot as hell, Kat. What are you waiting for?”

“All right, you little tart. Give me a hug and head on out of here before you get me into any more trouble,” I say, placing the phone on silent and turning it face down onto the bathroom counter.

“Bye, Chica. I’ll check on you later. We need to get together soon to plan the Halloween party,” she reminds me. She and Jake’s yearly Halloween parties are legendary.

“Of course. I’ll have to check my schedule. I’m back to work in a few more days.” I reach to turn off the water as the tub is two-thirds of the way full, steam rising to meet me.

I stand, hugging Mel tightly, and again thank her for the delicious dinner. Watching as she enters her car and her headlights come on, I give a quick wave. As she starts to back out of the drive, I return to my bath.If only my life wasn’t so ridiculous right now. Dr. Barnes might be shocked to see the reply I’d send.

* * *

Several days later, I walk through the ER doors and immediately feel like I’m home again. The time off was necessary, but I’m glad to be back doing what I love. As I settle into my usual workstation, I look at the call schedule and realize none of my favorite physicians are here today. I didn’t see Megan or Jess. Just Bobbi. But it’s going to be a good day. I can handle this. I sign into the computer to see if anyone is waiting and look up to see the charge nurse coming my way.

“Hey, Kat. There’s a lady here in room five that’s in a lot of pain. She just got here by rescue squad, so she isn’t on the board yet. Do you mind seeing her?”

“Of course. I’ll head straight there.”

As I walk down the hall toward her room, I notice the EMS stretcher is parked just outside the patient’s door. I take two steps into the patient exam room and come to an abrupt standstill.

“Hey, Kit Kat.” Mark delivers with a wink. The hair on my arms immediately stands at attention, and I sense my heart begin to pound within my chest. Feeling off kilter, my body is on full alert.

“Hi.” Is all I can get out. I try to focus on the patient, hoping he’ll leave. I don’t like the way this feels. I suddenly feel trapped. “Hi, Miss?” I address the patient.

“Timberlake,” she cries, bracing her right shoulder.

“Ms. Timberlake. I’m Katarina Kelly. I’m going to be taking care of you. I want to try and get you some relief. Do you have any medication allergies?”

“No.” She sniffs.

“Well, I’m going to order your pain medication and come back to assess you afterward. Just hang on for us, okay?” I attempt to reassure her. Stepping out of the patient room, I hurriedly pass Mark’s partner returning to the stretcher with clean sheets. I don’t recognize this young firefighter. Without delay, I rush down the ER hallway to the furthest nurses’ station to enter Ms. Timberlake’s pain medication and an x-ray order into the computer before stepping out of the department. I need to get out of here, if only for a second.Jeez, am I having a panic attack?

Walking down the corridor toward the physician’s lounge, I fumble with my badge which garners access to the locked area. I must be completely fixated on Mark’s arrival to the ER and its effect on me, as I don’t realize Dr. Lee is standing at the entrance holding the door open for me.

“Penny for your thoughts,” he says, smiling down at me.

“Trust me, they aren’t worth a penny,” I reply, frustrated I’ve barely been in the department fifteen minutes, and this scenario with Mark is already rattling me. I need to get my act together before I return. I cannot let him affect my work. I can’t let anyone else see me like this.

Feeling a warm, firm hand on my back, I look up. “You okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” he asks with concern. All of the charismatic flirting is off of the table. My anxious state must be worse than I thought if this man is providing counsel instead of pick-up lines.

“Like you’ve seen a ghost,” I mutter to myself.It’s about as mysterious, I consider. “Something just caught me off guard. I’ll be okay. Thanks for asking.” I try to reassure him I have it all together.

“Kat, if someone is bothering you-”

“No.” I interrupt, laughing, trying desperately to change the subject and begin acting like a professional instead of a freaked-out teenaged girl. “I’m fine. Really. Thank you, though. You’re very kind to ask.”

* * *

Nick

Driving to work, I note the sun has barely broken through the darkness. It’s going to be a long day, and I have no time to spare. Planning to round on my inpatients early, I have a full calendar of appointments in the office until lunch and then I’m in the operating room the rest of the day. Additionally, I’m on call until 5:00 p.m., so if I get called to the ER, it’ll throw a wrench in my day. Not to mention, it’s more than a little depressing when Kat’s not around.

Kat. I’ve really lost control of that situation. So much for avoiding her at all costs. I just couldn’t help myself. When I asked how the ER was, I simply wanted some type of interaction with her.Hell, I’ve missed that little minx. So, when I sent the text, and she mentioned heading for a bubble bath, my mind immediately envisioned her naked body covered in shimmery soap suds, and I lost my fucking mind.Was that an invitation?

I was supposed to be giving her space, in case she’d started dating someone… possibly Mark, the firefighter she was giggling with the last time I saw her in the ER. But instead, I put my foot in my mouth again. I must’ve pissed her off as the texts came to an immediate halt. Just face it, Nick, you’ve met your match. She blew you off after that amazing night behind the club. The kiss in Target and the inappropriate texting just sealed the deal. Walk away while you still have an ounce of dignity left.

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