Page 56 of Detention with Daddies

Olivia unlocks it and parts it just a crack before I stop her from going. “Go with me to the gala in a few weeks? There’s going to be a lot of medical professionals for you to talk to about your project.”

The happiness that flashes over her face brings me joy. “You think that will go over well? Are you talking about the fundraising gala for the university?”

“It will, and it is. They’ll love to hear about current projects our students are working on, especially when they’re pushing boundaries like you are.” And she’s making progress. As much as calling her to my office is a ploy to get my hands on her body, I’ve also been keeping up with her stats and reports. Her subjects are making progress. Small progress, but progress nonetheless.

“Okay. I’ll go with you.”

My smile is one that I feel down to my toes. “Good. Now, go get to work. I’ve got clients to meet.”

She shakes her head and chuckles on her way out of my office, and I spot the trio of nurses at the station at the end of the hall.

I can already hear them as I lock up my office.

“What, are they dating now? First Salazar, then Rivers, now Wright?”

“Totally not his type. What is he thinking?”

“She’s not exactly a great example of what we’re doing here.”

I shake my head. Addressing them straight out will only add fuel to the gossip, but when I settle down with Junior, he’s scowling at me.

“What? Feeling okay?”

“Come on, Dad.” He gestures to the trio and where Olivia’s disappeared down a stairwell. “First rule of being a good man is standing up for your woman. You taught me that.”

It’s just gossip. I’ve heard nurses say much worse things, especially about the bigger girls on the staff.

Junior crosses his arms. “If I heard it, you know Olivia did, Dad. So you’d better figure your shit out and figure it out fast if you don’t want to lose her.”

I nod at him, getting him started on his rehab exercises, and as I sit back to watch him, I consider his words. I’m attracted to Olivia in a way that shocks even me.

But I’ve also been trained by the fitness world to value a certain body type. The women I’ve dated—my ex-wife included—were choices based on appearances.

Olivia doesn’t fit that old trend, but there’s no question that I find her captivating.

Does that mean I don’t value Olivia as she is? Am I using her to prove something to myself?

OLIVIA

I’m already walking away from Waylen, but I overhear snippets of what the trio is saying about me.

What, are they dating now?

What is he thinking?

She’s not exactly a great example of what we’re doing here.

Their jabs circle in my head on my way to my lab, but what’s worse is that I don’t hear Dr. Wright say a thing in response.

So, are they right?

Am I simply fooling myself into thinking that I’m not just a novelty for him?

I sink onto my stool at my lab table, pulling out my files, organizing my previous lab tests, and prepping my equipment to run more. I drew blood samples from everyone on Friday but didn’t have time to run my tests, so it’s what will take up the rest of my day.

I slot the first set of tubes in the centrifuge and start it. Collecting my pipettes, I get to work separating plasma, blood cells, and work my way through the different components to be analyzed by their designated machines.

While I wait for them to do the work, I play back the kinds of things Dr. Wright says to me when we’re alone.

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