Page 76 of The Bitter Rival

“I’m happy for you, man. You know if you ever need anything, you can count on me. Even if I did have to get involved with that crazy super glue consult in the ER that day.”

“Thanks,” Nick replies, tilting his beer back. “Adoption is a daunting process. There are so many what-ifs. But, I’m learning that’s just life in general.” He takes another swig from the amber bottle. “I swear I didn’t know Silver was on duty when I asked Ava to call you.” He chuckles.

“That guy’s a tool,” I reply quickly. “I get more bullshit consults when he’s on.”

“Well, don’t get Kat started. She says he’s lazy as fuck. He’s always pawning his work off on her.”

“Short-dicked fucker. There has to be something to cause someone to act that way. Karma will get him.” I laugh. Considering my condescending behavior over the last few years, maybe I have to consider that she’s been visiting me in the OR lately.

I look out onto the dance floor and see Kat and Bella dancing, huge smiles plastered on their faces. “I still haven’t forgiven you for that stunt you and Kat pulled.”

“Forgiven us? Hell, you should be thanking us. I’d given up thinking I’d ever see you with the same woman twice.” I notice he grimaces in response to my facial expression.

“Nick-”

“Don’t, Bas. Honestly. It’s behind us. And from what you’ve said, it was a one and done with Sophia. You gotta let this go. I have.”

Lifting the alcohol to my lips, I try to soothe the ache of regret with the burn of the top-shelf Scotch. I wish I could let go of my self-loathing over hooking up with his ex-wife.

“It’s nice to see you happy, Bas. You deserve this.”

“Yeah. It’s kinda taken me by surprise. I just don’t want to hurt her, and I know it’s inevitable.”

“Don’t put that shit out there. Just do the right thing by her.”

“What if the right thing isn’t me?”

The music shifts and a Shawn Mendes song begins. Looking at the girls, they’re giggling and really getting into the beat. I can see Isabella’s dimples from here. Even from this distance, they’ve cast their spell on me.

“Come on,” I say to Nick as I rise from my chair.

“You’re kidding me? You hate dancing.” He guffaws behind me. “Holy fuck, man. You’ve got it bad.”

“Shut up.” I laugh, smacking him in the chest as we approach my tiny dancer and the Dirty Librarian. Reaching out, I grab Bella’s arm, pulling her into me as she spins with wild abandon. Looking over to Nick and Kat, they’re wrapped around one another as she wiggles in front of him.

Isabella looks up at me, mouthing the words to “There’s Nothing Holdin’ me back” with her dimples so deep from the strain of her smile, you could plant seeds there. My heart catches at her joyful expression, and I have to get control of myself. My skin could crack from the strain of the smiles she puts on my face.

Sliding my open palm down the front of her face, causing fits of laughter, I try to dispel the bewitchment she’s weaving. I’m falling so fucking hard for this woman it’s scary. I’m man enough to admit I’ve never felt this way for another human being. This has all happened so fast. There’s no way this is love. But it’s more than I’ve ever let myself feel before.

Watching her radiance emit from her like beams of light, I decide I need to invest in a little sunscreen. I can’t give away my whole heart this fast. I need to protect myself. Baby steps.

“Sebastian, I’m sorry I’ve put you through this battery of tests, but it was necessary. I know it has been frustrating and time-consuming, but it needed to happen.” Kendal’s voice is clear and confident through the phone, and I try to contain my sudden worry.

“Can we meet?” I ask.

“Yes, I promise I’ll fit you in this afternoon. If you can come after office hours, I’ll stay, and we’ll go over everything.”

“Okay. I’ll be there at four-thirty. See you then.” Hanging up the call, my trepidation is at an all-time high. Maybe I’m reading too much into this, but I’ve been in this profession long enough to know she would’ve told me if everything looked normal.

I have a light afternoon. I’d recently started looking into another sojourn when the issues in the OR had begun to amp up. I’d been thinking about going to Tulum, Mexico, and had briefly considered asking Bella to join me. Yet, I need to take this time to concentrate on meditation and relaxation, not her. Plus, I don’t know that she’s willing to leave Austin that long, and I haven’t gotten a feel for how he’d do with international travel. God, that kid’s stolen a piece of my heart. He’s the bonus prize in this relationship for sure.

My last patient of the day is scheduled at 3:00 p.m., and I need to get a better look at their images. Walking toward the radiology department, it dawns on me, I don’t know Bella’s schedule. Hell, I still don’t even have her damn number. There have been multiple times I was tempted to ask for it but worried I’d go off the deep end if I had instant access to her. I’d be begging to see her or sexting her like a horny teenager seven days a week.

Entering the small, dark ER radiology room where she normally works, I’m pleasantly surprised when I find her sitting alone, looking at the computer screen. Sneaking up behind her, I whisper, “How’s my girl?”

Isabella jumps at my presence, and I lean back and laugh. “Holy crap, Bas. Don’t sneak up on me like that.”

“Sorry. Hey, can you pull up Ms. Jackson’s CT of her hand? I know you do x-rays, but since you’re here…”

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