Page 51 of Ellie 1

“I’m just trying to be a welcoming neighbor,” I muttered, wondering why that got me a look. “It’s been nice because people bring bags to refill the freezer too. You said yourself that nothing is better than dumplings.”

“Yes, I’ll have to stop by again maybe once the line clears,” she replied, focusing on her food, but her tone was frosty.

I decided to ignore it and use the time to finally talk to her. “Mum said she was dropping by my condo to load up the fridge for us. She and Da loved the crab cakes and said the tray of brisket was gone before anyone could blink. She said I had to take her there when she visited because she wanted to see if it was even better in the restaurant with all the Southern fixings.”

She chuckled as she took her next bite. “It is. Their cornbread is to die for, but I didn’t know how that would go over since not everyone likes cornbread.” She nudged Geraldand gestured towards me. “His mother is the one who made the white kimchi and radish that you gobbled up.”

“That wasso good,” Gerald groaned. “The kimchi I’ve had is always too spicy and like over-fermented. This was refreshing and perfect.”

“Mum listens and adjusted it for the way Ms. Reed likes it.” I bit back what else I wanted to say about him getting any and played nice. “I’m glad it hit the spot when you’ve both been working too hard on so much.”

She gave me a genuine smile. “It really did. I ate all the soy eggs as well.”

I smiled back. “I’m sure Mum made more. She’s got your tastes down already.” I snickered. “Father said he was amused that Mum had a foodie-trading friend instead of her rude children who don’t appreciate her attention.”

Ellie snorted. “You appreciate it. Someone would have to be horrible to be mean to your mother when it’s clear she just wants to help and for people to be happy. She’s a gem.”

“She is a sweetheart,” Dr. James agreed. “She asked me if I liked a list of things and I knew what none of it was but promised my wife fed me well.”

Later that day, I walked up on Dr. James talking to Gerald about a few things and caught him making it clear that he better take good care of Ellie. I ground my teeth as it sounded more and more like a dad giving permission to date his beloved daughter.

So apparently, I lost my mind and smacked him upside the head once Gerald walked off.

“What was that, Clark?” he demanded.

“Bug,” I mumbled. “There was a bug on your head.” I shot him the look he deserved and walked off. I was in his department and helping at every turn and he was giving his blessing to the new guy we didn’t even know well?

What the fuck?

Tai found me later and couldn’t stop laughing, asking how big the bug was and if it was my imaginary friend, Bug.

Brat.

The head of dermatology, Dr. Carla Greer, stopped by for dumplings later and told me that Dr. James always needed a smack, so she was on my side. Plus, Ellie deserved better than a lion. A wolf would fit her better, and she would make sure that Ellie knew exactly how much I’d been helping out.

Yes, I gave her more dumplings to go and my favorite tea for her to try. I really liked her and not just because she was all about getting me with Ellie.

She was dedicated, smart, and all about patient care. She was not only furious what those in her department had pulled, but mortified it had all gone on under her nose. I knew one doctor was out, but HR was finally trying to keep the lid on all of the gossip so I didn’t hear more than that.

Good. I shouldn’t know. We worked at a hospital, not a damn high school.

And the absolute icing on the cake was Tuesday morning walking up on someone introducing Ellie to their son. It was a fixup like out of a Korean drama and clearly sprung on her.

Except the guy was too handsome.

“Sorry, I need to borrow Ms. Reed about the renovations to my practice and this isn’t a dating spot but a hospital,” I said as I moved closer to Ellie. “You have the numbers in your office, right, Ms. Reed?”

“Yes, I do,” she answered before turning back to the people. “Sorry, but I really do have to go. Thank you for thinking sohighlyof me, but I’m really not looking to date. Have a lovely day.” She waited until we were walking into one of the connecting buildings to get to the administrative wing. “Thanks for that. I went for coffee and got blindsided with a fixup and insults.”

“Insults?” I hedged, slowing down and turning to face her. It was only then I noticed she was pissed and snapped out of my own jealousy. “What happened?”

“Oh, apparently, I should feel blessed she would consider allowing her son to date me when I’ve been surrounded by such scandal, but my portfolio could make her overlook that. Fucking cunt.”

I wasn’t sure I’d heard Ellie remotely say something like that about anyone—not even Fitz. Clearly, she was fed up about a lot.

The steam coming from her ears as she continued walking made that clear.

Shit. She really was going to explode soon, and I was scared that would permanently break her.

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