Page 16 of The Bitter Rival

As I turn, I see Jeff standing down the hall and cannot stop myself from venting. I know I should just walk away. Making eye contact as I get closer, I notice he’s still wearing his surgical cap but has removed his gown and gloves. “I thought I could count on you. We’ve worked alongside one another for years now. If I say I want you, that’s exactly who should be manning the C arm. Got it?”

“Yes, sir. I apologize. I really wanted Bella to have this experience, Dr. Lee. She’s due to graduate soon-”

“Do I look like the kind of guy who should be helping some little student get her wings in the OR to you, Jeff? My surgeries are intricate, high-stress cases. Let her cut her teeth with Dr. Morgan or even Nick. Someone who won’t have the whole town wondering why the surgeon couldn’t repair thepaintinghand of the county’s award-winning artist!”

About that time, I see his student behind him. She’s pulled off her gown and is glaring at me through the remainder of her surgical garb. Her audacity strikes the final match of annoyance within me, setting me ablaze. “And you.” I storm over to her. “I appreciate that Jeff placed you in this position however, I don’t need the continued disrespectful glances my way. If you can’t play with the big dogs, Bella, maybe you need to stay home.”

“Got it,” she barks, surprising me with the venom in her tone. Still not backing down, this one.She’s got a fucking lot of nerve.

I return toward the bin to remove my surgical cap, my hair falling onto my forehead, reminding me I need a trim. Reaching back to rub the spasm from my neck, I try to calm my nerves before attempting to dictate my surgical note and giving Mr. Hansen an apology for the unprofessional behavior he witnessed. As I turn to head for the door, I’m stopped in my tracks. My heart clenches inside my chest at the sight. Bella’s mask is off, and the oddest feeling of déjà vu smacks me in the face.Where do I know that face? Have I slept with her? No. I’d remember-

Bella reaches up to remove her surgical cap, her luscious brown locks tumbling down about her face and neck as she stares directly at me with complete and utter disdain. I take her in. Those gorgeous eyes. That beautiful hair. The dimples I can almost picture hidden beneath her furious features.It’s her.

Holy fuck! What the hell have I done?

CHAPTEREIGHT

Isabella

I think I’m going to need surgery myself after this. I’ve nearly bitten a hole through my tongue, trying to keep my thoughts to myself so I don’t get chastised for voicing my opinion of that asshole. That sexy as fuck, arrogant asshole.Why? Why did I have to have nightly naughty dreams starring this man? Him?Well, I bet they’ll stop now.Yeah, right.That was by far the best sex of my life, and there’s no way I can forget it. I’ll just chop his head off in all the replays. I’d say I’d sew his mouth shut myself, but I have first-hand knowledge of his skills with that body part, and I’m not sure I want to forget that either.

“You okay?” Jeff interrupts my internal ranting.

“Yeah, I’m okay. Just part of the job, right?”

“No, Bella. That was beyond anything I’ve witnessed before. I’m so sorry. I would’ve never put you in that position if I thought for a second, he could’ve been so unprofessional.”

“Unprofessional? He was downright mean,” I spit back. So I guess I’m done holding back. “But I can handle it. Just chalk it up to a learning experience. I can safely say I feel like I can handle anything anyone could throw at me now.”

I realize I’m still walking, but I’ve left Jeff a few paces behind me. “Are you okay?” I ask.

“You might be the most incredible woman I’ve ever encountered. Well, besides my late wife, of course. You took all of that in stride and with your head held high. I hope I can find a way to instill that in my daughters one day. I’d hate to think of them being treated the way you were and not standing up for themselves. Is it okay to say I’m proud of you? Hell, I don’t know if I could’ve handled that better myself.”

“Thanks, Jeff. I grew up with two older brothers and Donovan around all the time. They taught me well. Then when Rick left, I guess I learned how to stand up for myself because of Austin. I’ll never let him see his mom disrespected. I want him to realize it’s not okay to treat other people the way his father has treated us.”

If only there wasanychemistry here. Jeff is such a nice man. He’s attractive and smart and obviously a great father. I haven’t dated many men since my divorce. Once Austin was older, and I felt ready to put myself out there again, I found it was hard enough to find a man if you were single. Once I announced I had a son, the return calls frequently ended. The ones who stayed only did so until they met Austin. It appears the incredibly unique things I love about my special child are not as attractive to outsiders. I’ve already lived through his father’s rejection. I don’t want to continually expose Austin to men who’ll disrespect us or leave because we don’t fit their cookie-cutter lifestyle.

As much as I’d like to find a partner to share my life with, I want the fairy tale next time. I want someone who’ll love and cherish me as well as my son. Someone who’ll make me weak in the knees and wet between the sheets. If I can’t have it all, I’ll settle for our family of two and get my needs met the way I’ve done it for years. I’ll enjoy a quick romp and move on.

Walking into the radiology department, I try to shake it off. There’s no point in perseverating on this. I was never going to see that guy again anyway. So, my dirty dreams are going to be missing a handsome head from now on. Dreaming about the ‘headless’ hot guy from the club will still be the best sex I’ve ever had. I’ll manage.

“How’d it go?” I hear Erin ask as we walk into the darkened hallway.

“Um, you owe us big time, missy,” Jeff scolds. “You knew full well you didn’t want to work that C arm for Lee again. And I fell for your shenanigans. Hungry and tired, my ass.” He snickers.

“That good, huh?” She gives a lopsided grin.

“Well, there are about fifty new orders for x-rays in the ER, it appears,” I interject. “I think I’m just going to jump in here and start on the first three. Mike, are you coming with me? I think Jeff deserves a break.”

“Sure, Bella. I got you,” Mike answers. “You still missing a clavicle?”

“Yeah, who knew finding a patient with a possible broken collarbone would be this hard?” Heck, it doesn’t even have to be broken. I just need a picture, broken or not.

“We can make a loop around the department again and ask the docs to keep you in mind if they see someone with a shoulder injury. Wouldn’t want it to get past you by mistake.”

We walk down the hall toward the main physicians’ workspace, and I smile when I see Donovan.

“Hey, B. How much longer do you have?” My cousin greets me.

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