Page 22 of The Exception

Cassandra waved her hand in the air and went back to the steaming pots on the stove. “They’re not going to understand that mutual breakup stuff, so I’m telling them you kicked Marcus to the curb and you don’t want to talk about it.”

Sonya agreed. The less details for her family, the better. They were going to make up their own version of events anyway.

“Got it,” she replied, already thinking hard about implementing the four… nowfiveR’s. The time for reflection was over and if she was going to make it through this, she had to go through the rest no matter how hard it would be. Marcus would not be her stumbling block.

Twelve

Sonya rounded the corner to the pharmacy on Monday morning and glanced over her shoulder to see Trav straggling behind her. He’d been a little slow and a lot less talkative all morning, and while that second part had been a blessing, the first part was unacceptable.

“What’s wrong with you today?” she asked when he finally reached her.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, squeezing his eyes shut. “I just have a headache,” he mumbled.

“I can get you some orange juice. I mean, I have aspirin, but the orange juice works just as well.”

He sighed but there was no smart-ass retort following it.

“If you can’t function at work after a night running the streets, it may be time to stop running the streets.”

“First of all, if you’re using phrases like ‘running the streets,’ you may need to stop picking up extra shifts in geriatrics.”

Her lips twitched with a smile but she fought it. She’d definitely spent a little too much time with her mom and aunties over the weekend and there was no way she was going to let him know that she was actually beginning to enjoy trading barbs with him. He’d worked his way up a few notches ever since his dad’s visit, but he still had a long way to go before he was in her good graces.

“Second,” he continued, “I was up all night studying. I have a test tonight and I needed to cram.”

She softened at that admission because she wasn’t too far removed from the days of interning all day and cramming for exams all night.

“Well, we actually do have aspirin if you need it. One of the perks of being in a hospital. And you need to stay hydrated.”

He smiled weakly and nodded his appreciation. “I’ll do that. Thanks.”

She watched him ask the pharmacist for aspirin from the overflow supply before walking over to the water fountain. She couldn’t stop her eyes from tracing across his broad shoulders, and down his back when he bent to drink. How often did he work out to stay in military shape? What workouts did he prefer? Being a bit of a gym rat herself, those questions intrigued her.

An image of him shirtless and sweaty, sparring with a punching bag drifted through her mind.

Damn Dani.This was clearly her fault.

Thank God someone called her name before she could get too lost in that inappropriate daydream.

She turned around and smiled when she saw Quinn Jackson walking toward her. The tall doctor with the pixie cut was one of the first people she’d met when she started working at the hospital. They’d both been brand new and they’d bonded over terrible coffee and twelve-hour shifts. Their paths hadn’t crossed very much ever since Quinn had transferred to pediatrics, but Sonya was always glad to see her.

“It’s been a while, Dr. Jackson. It’s good to see you,” she greeted just as Trav rejoined her.

“You too,” Quinn replied, her dark eyes darting over to Trav. “Who is this?”

“Dr. Jackson, this is our intern paramedic, Ben Travis.”

Quinn nodded. “Nice to meet you. I hope you’re soaking up as much as you can from this one. She’s a stickler, but the absolute best.”

Trav grinned and slapped Sonya on the back. “Fourteen years in the army and she’s definitely the best drill sergeant I’ve ever had.”

Sonya frowned as Quinn performed a visual inspection of Trav. He already had half the nurses on the ward angling for his attention. He didn’t need his ego stroked any more than it already was. She’d gotten more comfortable with admitting that he was hot, but the way these women were acting, you’d think he was the last man on earth.

Quinn smiled. “You’re cute. If it wasn’t for Alex, I’d offer to be your preceptor.”

At least Quinn remembered that she already had a man; a really good one who literally worshipped the ground she walked on.

Trav winked at Quinn and shook his head. “I’m flattered, but Nurse Pope wouldn’t dream of letting me go.”

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