Page 16 of Lane

“Nothing,” I said honestly. “I don’t live a very exciting life.”

“I beg to differ. You’re the doctor for Jordan and everyone here who works for him, plus you have your own practice. That’s not dull.” He set the soup down and scratched at his facial hair. The other times I’d seen him, it was cut close to his face. Now it had more growth and was coming in thicker.

“Every couple of weeks, I have dinner at my sister’s house.”

“You get along well with her?”

“I do. She’s due to have her first baby in a couple of months.”

“Congrats. You’re going to be an uncle.”

A smile tugged at my lips. “Thank you.”

“At least you’ll be the appropriate age, not like Hartley, Forest, and me. I’m younger than them, yet I’m their uncle.” Hewinced. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to turn the conversation to me. That was shitty. Blame the illness for fucking up my head.”

“It’s fine. I like hearing about you. I only know what I’ve overheard from others.”

“That could go either way. I’m not sure which I’d prefer.”

I propped my leg on the couch so I could turn to face him fully. “You want me to think badly of you?”

“I’m not sure. You know Raiden has a thing for you, right?”

I choked on my own spit and started coughing. That was the last thing I’d expected him to say.

“Caught you off guard, did I?” He coughed again while I caught my breath.

“Yes,” I rasped. “And the answer to your question is yes.”

“Well, what if I didn’t think badly of you? What if, in my sickened state, I thought you were pretty hot in your khakis and button-down? God, I just heard that out loud and regret saying it. Ignore me. Blame the fever.” He leaned to the side and rested on the arm of the couch.

“Your temperature was ninety-eight point nine.”

“Great. I can’t even use that as an excuse.”

“Lane?”

“Yeah.”

“I don’t date my patients.”

After another coughing spell, he said, “I’m not sure what kind of ethical boundaries you’re trying to stay within, but you literally patch up guys who’ve been shot because they were carrying out illegal activities. Dating a patient is the least of your worries.” He had a point. I still shouldn’t contemplate it.

“It doesn’t matter. You and Raiden could be together and leave me out of the equation.”

“What is wrong with you and him? I’m seriously asking. He has you on a pedestal, and you deny yourself the chance to be with him. I don’t know why either one of you pay any attentionto me. God, I need to shut up.” He slid down farther until he was in the fetal position with his head on a throw pillow.

Why did I find this man so charming? Maybe it was his raw honesty. Maybe it was because he called me on what I didn’t voice.

The TV was on, but it was muted. Lane’s eyes kept drifting from it to me where I sat facing him. “Why are you still here? I’m a mess.”

“I’m a doctor. I want to care for you.”

“That’s the lie you’re telling yourself?”

I grinned. It felt good as it pulled the corners of my lips. Even when he was sick, he made me smile, and he had me wanting to lean close to get more of him. “What would you like me to say?”

“The truth.”

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