Page 13 of Healing Her

“I’m an artist, a master of my craft,” Maria replied, spreading a hand over her chest and opening her eyes wide. “I study the human condition,amiga, and your human condition isfascinating.” She clicked her tongue and sighed. “I wish Ididlove women. I’ve never found any love with a man that came close to what you and Nina had.”

Jen swallowed back the lump of grief that formed in her throat. “Oh, Maria. I miss her so much.”

“I know,querida.” This time, it was Maria who reached out to take Jen’s hand. They sat together quietly, remembering Nina. Maria had been at their wedding, had flown to visit as often as she could when Nina was diagnosed.

She had sent the most beautiful arrangement of flowers to the funeral.

The door cracked open, and Jen turned to see who was interrupting. At the sight of Ashley Proctor slipping into the room, chaos twisted her stomach and lust made her cheeks flush hot. From the corner of her eyes, she saw Maria’s eyebrows lift with interest. Jen got to her feet as smoothly as she could. “Doctor Proctor.”

“Doctor Colton.” Ashley’s eyes darted between the two women. “Is this a professional consultation or a chat between friends?”

So Sundstrom had let Ashley know that Maria and Jen knew each other. That probably meant the cardiac surgeon also knew that Jen was going to be an immovable part of Maria’s team.Won’t this be fun?

“Maria and I do go back a ways, that’s true.”

“We met in high school.” When Jen dared to glance at her friend, Maria’s eyes were alight with mischief and curiosity. “And we’ve been friends ever since, haven’t we, Jen?”

“We have.” Jen turned so that only Maria could see her and made a face that she hoped saiddon’t you dare. “It’s been a great privilege of my life to watch Maria grow into one of the greatest actors of our generation.”

“And one of mine to see my great friend become a greater surgeon.” Maria looked at Ashley and smiled broadly. “I’m so glad she will be part of your team.”

Jen turned around back in time to see Ashley’s face pinch into a tight but polite smile. “Indeed. Doctor Colton, if I could see you out here for a moment?” Without giving Jen a chance to reply, Ashley turned on her heel and strode out the door, closing it firmly behind her.

“Oh, ho ho,” Maria chortled immediately, glee in her voice. “I was going to ask you to tell me what you thought of this uptight little thing, but I don’t think I need to, now!”

“No, it’s not like that,” Jen began, exasperated.

“Well, why the hellnot? She’s pretty, even if she is wound tight.” Mariatsked.

“We are colleagues, and she doesn’t like me.” Except that Jen had it on good personal authority that Ashley did, and the memories bubbled up again and made her blush harder while Maria laughed and laughed.

“Get out there before she comes back and pinches her face even more. But come back after!” Maria commanded. “You’re going to have to spill,hermosita.”

“There’s nothing to spill,” Jen hissed, and hurried to open the door.

Ashley was standing there, predictably pinched of face as she looked at her watch. She glanced up as Jen closed the door behind her. “About time.”

“I feel sorry for your friends if your idea of a good farewell is a hasty one,” Jen shot back. “Can I help you, Doctor Proctor?”

“I wanted to talk to you about your input for Ms. Rivera’s treatment,” Ashley replied, her face somehow pinching even further. “I don’t think it’s appropriate. You clearly have a very personal connection.”

“Yes. We do. Which would be why she asked for my inclusion on her surgical team.” Jen worked to keep her voice steady. If this prissy cardio doc thought she was going to allow herself to be thrown off Maria’s treatment team, she was going to get a very nasty surprise. “I believe Chief Sundstrom has already advised you that my inclusion on this team is non-negotiable.”

“It was mentioned.” The words emerged as if they were being pushed out against Ashley’s will. “I came to appeal to you directly to remove yourself. You’re too close to this case. I don’t believe that’s helpful.”

“Unless Maria herself asks me to step down, I won’t, Doctor Proctor.” Jen tucked her hands into the pockets of her lab coat so that she could clench them unseen. Her nails dug into her palms. “So. I believe that settles that. Have you had a chance to look at her records? Do you have a course of action planned?”

Ashley hesitated, eyes narrowed. “I do. I’ve discussed it with the Chief and with Dr. Martin.”

“You should probably discuss it with me, too,” Jen prompted, feeling like she’d somehow gone into dentistry. Why did this woman make everything feel like pulling teeth?

And why was the tension of it all such a catalyst for desire? Jen shifted from foot to foot.

At least Ashley also looked uneasy the longer this conversation went on. “I intend to discuss it with the team at a meeting tomorrow. You’ll find it on your calendar and in your email. There’s no point in me handing out information piecemeal, one doctor at a time.”

“I’d like to havesomeidea,” Jen began, but stopped when Ashley waved an impatient hand in her face.

She was tempted to grab that hand and bite it. Then to push up the sleeve of the lab coat and kiss her way up Ashley’s arm, tasting the soft skin leading into the crook of her elbow…

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