Page 42 of Moonshot

Ava

“Ava, I’ve got an add-on for you in room four.”

Looking up from my stack of messages Joanie handed me as I walked in this morning, I don’t see anyone at the door. But I know that was Dr. Stark’s voice. Heck, he probably tossed out the statement walking by to his office without stopping.Asshole.

Serves me right for sifting through this stack, thinking I was going to find a note from Michael asking me to call him. That he was so sorry and couldn’t wait to apologize. He’d been trapped under something heavy and was just extricated this morning. Or he had to go out of town on his usual business but ate a corn chip and ended up in the emergency room having an allergic reaction.Whatever. There’s no point trying to make excuses for him. No matter what happened, I deserve better than being ghosted. We’re not teenagers, for fuck’s sake.

I’d managed to get myself out of the house and out of my funk when Carson called at the last minute asking if I wanted to meet at the Sport’s Page for dinner. Not my usual choice for a meal, but once we arrived, and I realized he was meeting some of the guys from the police department, it all became clear. I was getting set up.

I know he meant well. And I had to give it to him for not sayingI told you so. I’d tried to put the conversation we’d had about traveling salesman out of my head. But turns out, he was probably right on the money.

I’m not sure who Carson had in mind when he brought me to the sports bar. I recognized Eve’s twin brothers, Tate and Tanner Manning, right away. The others, not so much. But I’m in no way ready to get back out there. While I appreciate his effort, I’ll find my own dates. Although from now on, I’ll rely on a more tried and true method for finding true love versus getting to know someone through your job for a year. I’ll stick with Tinder.Probably just as reliable.

Grabbing my lab coat, I slide it on and head to room four. Collecting the patient’s chart, I see they’re here in follow up of a Boxer’s fracture. He was seen in the emergency room last week, and a splint was placed to stabilize the broken bone. The most common cause of a Boxer’s fracture is striking something with your fist, allowing the high-velocity impact to break the bone in the hand that extends from the patient’s wrist to the base of their pinky. Knocking on the door before I step inside, I enter and abruptly stop.Fucking Edward.

I quickly look back down at the chart I’m holding to see his full name. “Hi, Mr. Seamen,” I greet with an extended hand, trying to maintain my composure, both at his presence and his name.No wonder he’s always in a bad mood.Realizing he’s probably right-handed, and that is the hand currently immobilized with a splint, I drop my hand down by my side.

“You’re a doctor?” Edward sneers.

“No. I’m a physician assistant. I see you’re here to follow up on your broken hand,” I add quickly, hoping I can keep this professional and quick.

“I was supposed to see a doctor.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. When you call to make follow-up appointments, they’re frequently with a midlevel like myself or a nurse practitioner. If you’d like to see one of the doctors before you leave-”

“No, I want to see a doctor today. Not you. You can run along and tell them if I can’t see a physician, I’ll go somewhere else.”

“Yes, Mr. Seamen. I’ll let them know.” Turning on my heel, I open the door and make my way toward Dr. Stark’s office.Well, I didn’t expect it to go quite that quickly.I can’t imagineFucking Edwardis actually upset about seeing a mid-level provider. We tend to have more time to spend with the patients than the surgeons who are frequently called away. I could’ve changed his splint into something more user-friendly that he could shower in and wasn’t hot and itchy. Dr. Stark would’ve seen him before he left. This feels personal. I’ve worked here for years and have never had a patient refuse to be seen by me.

The tension in my shoulders builds as I approach Dr. Stark’s office. I’m dreading this. Dr. Stark hates people who behave this way. If nothing more than it causing him to see another haughty, demanding patient, much too close to his own personality, he could’ve otherwise pawned on me.

I start to knock on Dr. Stark’s door but stop once I see he’s in his office with Dr. Lee. Both of their heads spring in my direction, so I drop my hand back to my side and advise Dr. Stark of the situation withFucking Edward.Boy, does that name suit him.

“I tried to explain you’d be happy to see him before he left so that I could remove the splint, assess him, and apply a fabricated one, but he wouldn’t have it.”

Dr. Stark purses his lips together as he looks back at me, annoyed. “Fine. I’ll be back, Sebastian. Let me go and do Ava’s job for her.”

What the fuck? Really?

“I’m sorry, Ava. What did you say this patient was here for?” the handsome surgeon interjects. There’s an obvious bite in his tone after hearing Dr. Stark’s derogatory statement.

“He has a Boxer’s fracture. He was seen and diagnosed in the ER recently and sent here for a follow-up.”

“Well, given I’m the only hand surgeon in the office today, why don’t I go take a look at him, Joe?” Dr. Lee winks at me while Dr. Stark’s back is still turned. “It’s not Ava’s fault the patient is being so demanding. You had a call to make. I’m happy to give him a thorough evaluation.”

“Ah, sure, Sebastian. If you don’t mind.”

“Not at all.” Dr. Lee takes Edward’s chart from my hands, points that sexy dimple in my direction, then exits Dr. Stark’s office heading to exam room four.

As I step into the hallway, Joanie approaches. “Ava, I wanted to let you know I was able to block off a few hours Friday afternoon so you could make your appointment. You know Dr. Stark always leaves on Friday after lunch. He won’t have to know a thing.”

I bite the inside of my cheek. I hate lying to her, but I couldn’t tell her I needed the afternoon free for an interview with a competing orthopedic clinic for a job.Damn Dr. Stark.Except for him, I’ve really enjoyed all of the people here.

“Thank you. I’m sorry about the late notice.”

“Aaaaaah!”

Joanie and I both jump simultaneously. “Oh my goodness. What was that?”

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