Page 6 of Silver Fox's Twin Surprise

"So you know a lot about Twin Peaks and the staff?" She had her hands in her scrubs pockets as she walked next to me, smiling up at me. She really was stunning, a piece of art. Her beautiful smile was offset by dimples, and the crop of freckles across the ridge of her nose was so faint I almost missed them, but I liked them.

"Yeah, well I've been around for a while. I just know it's rough getting settled in a new place, and I wanted to show you the ropes, help you make a few friends." Passing this off as my being friendly was the best way to test the waters. If she wasn't interested in anything, it was the best way to be able to back out without making her feel bad.

"I appreciate that… Honestly, though, having personal relationships with coworkers is sort of the bane of my existence. At the last place I worked, it just led to so much drama. Friendsend up backstabbing, and I'm just not interested. I'm more of an introvert in that. I want to keep my personal life private. People at work knowing my stuff just doesn't sound good."

I listened and tried to read between the lines. It wasn't that she was averse to workplace relationships, more so that she'd been burned. "So you'd never consider a relationship with a coworker?" I asked, just hinting around. I tried to make it sound like a friendship with a mutual, but the smile on her lips when she answered made my chest swell a little.

"I guess it would depend on the person and the type of relationship."

I was really beginning to enjoy talking with Rose, and this was the third time we'd just randomly connected. It couldn’t be a coincidence. Not to mention neither of us enjoyed our personal lives being talked about at work. I was sure that was something I had in common with a lot of people, but having it in common with her felt like something important.

"Well, here I am," she said, gesturing at the fourth floor nurses' station.

I wanted to ask her to coffee or something, but my tongue froze. I thought of Kate and how she'd feel. I thought of moving on and what it would mean and how I did feel ready, but I was still not so optimistic. Then I thought of the scandal and wondered what Rose would think of me if she knew I was that doctor. And before I was able to put a sentence together, she reached her hand out for a handshake.

"Thank you, Dr. Hastings, for the welcome tour three weeks late." She snickered and shook my hand, and I nodded.

"That's Cole, and you're welcome. Hopefully, we'll bump into each other again soon." I didn't mean it to be a pun, but she laughed and snorted again. It was the cutest thing in the world. I loved it.

"Just let me invest in a helmet first, maybe some knee pads too." She snorted again, and I found myself laughing with her.

"Well, hurry up. It could be tomorrow." I backed away, wishing I'd have had the guts to actually ask her out, but my mind, while seeming ready to move on, needed a bit more time to process things. Maybe next time I saw her would be the right time.

6

ROSE

My feet slapped the concrete as I ran along the winding paths through the park. It was a beautiful day, though a tad on the warm side for me this morning. I wore a pair of spandex shorts and a tank top. My hair was tied up into a ponytail and I had my earbuds in, listening to music.

I was regretting my choice of music as the beat picked up and I found myself running faster than I wanted. Sighing, I took out my earbuds and slowed down my pace. At this rate, I wouldn't have the energy to do yoga, let alone clean later. My thoughts drifted to what I needed to get done tomorrow—grocery shopping, clean the apartment, laundry, call Mom, yoga with Alana.

I mentally added to my list as I ran past a couple walking their dog. They smiled and waved at me, and I gave them a small smile and continued on my way. I had a feeling my day tomorrow was going to be just as packed as every other weekend. The only difference was that I had something keeping me inwardly motivated. Monday’s didn't seem so bad anymore.

After bumping into Dr. Hastings a few more times, I was starting to enjoy his presence. It made Friday seem a little depressing. If I was at work, there was at least a chance I'd bump into him. But weekends meant being away from the hospital and the only place I was guaranteed to have a chance.

I sighed as I came to a stop near a bench. I sat down, catching my breath. I took my phone out of the armband strapped around my bicep and checked the time. It was 9:30 already? Almost an hour had passed since I left my apartment, but it had felt like only minutes. My stamina was really increasing, and my goal of running a half-marathon in the fall was coming into view.

With a smile, I stood back up and started my cool down stretches. My body was glowing with sweat as I stood up, my hair sticking to my forehead and my cheeks flushed with exertion. I stretched my arms and legs, feeling the muscles loosen and relax. My skin was hot and damp, a slight breeze causing goosebumps to raise on my arms.

I was almost finished stretching when something bumped into me, and I turned around to see a basketball rolling away. My first instinct was to look up and glance around. I saw the basketball courts and knew that was where the ball had come from, but the handsome, smiling man jogging up to me didn't register until I saw those dazzling baby blues.

"Uh, Dr. Hastings?" I mumbled as I bent to retrieve the ball. He was sweaty, chest glistening in the sun from perspiration, and the sight made my breath catch. He was stunning—corded abs, muscular, well-defined chest and abs, and that five-o'clock shadow made my mouth water.

"Oh, hey, Rose…" He held his hands out as if waiting for me to throw him the ball. He stood a few yards away, and I froze likea deer in headlights. At least we hadn't physically collided this time, but his ball had hit me.

"Uh, sorry," I muttered, and I tried to toss him the ball, but I had zero hand-eye coordination and the ball bounced short of where he stood. He winked at me and bent to pick it up, then turned and jogged back to the court.

Before bumping into him, my plan had been to go home and do my yoga, but seeing him here made me feel giddy. I stood there watching him play basketball with another doctor I recognized from work. Then my legs started to get tired from the long run, so I sat on the bench.

I couldn't take my eyes off Dr. Hastings as he played basketball with his colleague. His athletic abilities and toned physique were mesmerizing to watch. The sight of him making a perfect shot and doing a little victory dance for me made my heart flutter.

I sat on the bench, trying to catch my breath from the run and also trying not to appear too obvious in my staring. But every time he looked over at me, I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment. He was too good-looking for his own good, and it wasn't fair that he had to be so nice on top of it all.

I had to remind myself that he was a coworker and nothing would ever happen between us. I also reminded myself of how sticky relationships could be and how Alana would only lecture me about jeopardizing my employment status, which she relied upon. I had to pay my share of the rent, and that would be impossible if I didn’t have a job because I messed around at work and got caught and fired.

So when he stole glances at me and winked a few times, I thought about getting up and leaving. Allowing myself to indulgein the eye candy was one thing, but knowing he was flirting with me while getting his workout in was another. He had already seemed a little too interested, though I had to admit I liked it. Still, workplace romances never worked out.

The ball bounced off the court again in my direction, and his friend was the one who retrieved it this time. He smiled at me and I nodded at him, but he wasn't nearly as good-looking as Dr. Hastings was. And while I should've gotten up and gone home, I was just enjoying watching them play too much to move.

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