Page 39 of The Bitter Rival

From our explosive reintroduction after surgery to the interaction outside her steps this evening, the writing should be on the wall. Move along, Sebastian. Yet, I don’t want to leave. I’m every bit as drawn to her now as I was at the bar the very first night. Hell, I’m not father material. I’m not even boyfriend material. But this damn woman makes me want to consider stupid shit. Maybe it is the sex. Looking down into my empty glass, I consider.Maybe it’s all the scotch.

CHAPTERNINETEEN

Isabella

Rolling over to the sound of my alarm, I fling my arm over to the phone and smack the screen, hoping it will silence the horrendous noise. I don’t think I slept a wink. I tossed and turned until 2:00 a.m. when I finally lamented and got up to take a Benadryl and a glass of milk. The last look at my clock read 3:40 a.m. This is going to be a long day.

I admit the worry over my finals is causing unrest, but this sleepless night was all courtesy of one Sebastian Lee. I need to shake this off. I’ve gotten used to my existence the way it is. Just because I got a couple of hot nights with someone dreamy, I shouldn’t let his rejection affect me more than any other man’s. If only I could stop replaying that moment of tenderness when he looked at me like I was somehow different.

Grabbing my robe, I head for coffee. I need to get to work and focus on something tangible. My finals are quickly approaching, and I need to do whatever I can to secure that spot in radiology that is due to open. I’ll plow through work and grab the ingredients I need to make a stellar first birthday cake for Grace and a little smash cake she can have all to herself. Pictures of a one-year-old celebrating their birthday covered in frosting are priceless. I wonder how long until Nick and Kat welcome another little one into their life. They’re such a special couple.Is it wrong to feel a little jealous?

Quickly making a half pot of morning blend, I pour a cup and transfer the remainder into a travel mug to bring to work. I just need to shower and check on Austin before I leave. I’m sure he’ll be busy drawing… what was it, leaves? I giggle at the anticipation of his wall looking like Monument Avenue covered in multicolored foliage. Our house will match, inside and out.

“Hey, B. How you holding up?” Donovan greets me from around the corner of the ER.

“I’m a little stressed. I think I’m letting finals get the best of me.”

“Oh, you’ve got this. Don’t stress it. Plus, it’ll be behind you in no time. Then you can focus on life again. Hang out with us Potter boys and maybe meet someone,” Donovan adds.

I recoil a bit at his remark. “Yeah, don’t think I’m going to entertain that for a while. I’ve got to get my career on track before I worry about adding anyone into the mix. Besides, Austin and I are doing just fine on our own.”

My eyes connect with Donovan’s, and he shoots me an apprehensive look. He’s smart. He’s never pushed me to talk about my relationships or lack thereof. But I know he wants the best for Austin and me. I reach over and give his hand a gentle squeeze. He’s such a good man.

“We’re okay,” I whisper.Maybe if I keep telling myself, I’ll believe it’s true.

Sebastian

Well, this day is off to a great start. I practically took a header out of the shower this morning, landing directly onto my bent knee. I can walk but bearing weight for any length of time on my wounded limb is uncomfortable and distracting. I can only imagine how adding this to the stressors of late will affect my performance in the operating room.

I discover too late that walking toward the physicians’ lounge for a cup of coffee is a mistake. Between the constant throbbing of my knee and the neoprene knee brace I’m wearing, my gait resembles a drunk pirate as I drag my leg behind me. If I’d slept better, maybe I wouldn’t need this coffee. Vowing to cut the bullshit and wash that damn pillowcase with Isabella’s scent still clinging to it, I hope that’ll be one less thing to torture me during the night. Instead of her perfume conjuring scenes from our sexathons, all I see is her enraged expression in front of her home.

“Hey, Bas. How are you?” Nick asks as I enter.

“How do you get any work done? You’re in here all the time. Is Kat here?” I laugh.

“No. I get plenty done peg leg. What did you do to yourself?”

“Not hiding it well, huh? This getting old shit is for the birds. Just a stupid fall. It’ll be okay, but it hurts like a motherfucker when I have to stand too long.”

“Well, good thing you aren’t a surgeon or anything. You have many cases lined up?”

“Three today.”

“Ouch.” I watch him stirring his coffee out of the corner of my eye as my cup begins to fill with aromatic, dark liquid. “Is that the only thing bothering you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Something seems off with you.”

“I don’t know, man. I’m struggling in the OR. I blame it on stress. My sojourns abroad to decompress were helping for a while, but I need to get my shit together. My mind was completely distracted when I fell.” I shake my head at the event.

“Come on, Bas. It could’ve just been a freak accident. Give yourself a break. Your cases are a lot more demanding than mine. That kind of constant stress would be hard on anyone.”

“I don’t know. I think I’m going to call Kendal.”

“Kendal Kramer, the neuropsychiatrist?”

“Yeah. We went out years ago. I respect her.”

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