Page 13 of Cocky M.D.
First, I needed to talk Olivia into the plan. I stood as my mother said, “Very well. At least she might be good for the bottom line, I suppose.”
“Goodbye,” I said then hung up and swung open the door. I hadn’t expected Dr. Munz to be here.
I waved for him to come in, and he asked, “Sorry, Dr. Dawes, but did I hear you’re engaged?”
Fuck. This isn’t good.Everyone would assume the same thing. I would have to find out Olivia’s price that night to get her to agree. Tension rose up my neck as I pressed my lips together. “No. She hasn’t… I haven’t asked yet.”
He slapped his knee excitedly, as if I’d just told him he was a grandfather—or how I hoped my own dad would react to anything I ever did. “The nurses will be upset, but if that’s true, then we can green-light your application for chief and proceed.”
Being a doctor meant I was in control of any decisions that didn’t include my father or brothers, who all worked with my father’s holdings. And being chief proved I was capable of more without using my family influence.
Dr. Munz held out his hand to congratulate me.
I shook it and said, “I’ll let you know soon.”
His phone beeped, so I knew he had to go. Paperwork could wait until later. I headed out to finish giving the next-shift doctors my recommendations, walk a little, then come back to type up everything.
The rest of the day flew by, and at five, I checked out. My life at home needed me.
Olivia’s kisses earlier flooded back to my brain as I hopped into my car.
Soon, I would have the right to have all of her. I would have to find out her price and meet it. Everyone, even I, had a number. I’d learned that about myself when I’d been sold into marriage for daring to go to medical school.
When I pulled into the driveway, a silver Mercedes I didn’t recognize was there. I parked in front, as my staff would move my car to the garage, and headed inside.
But the house was quiet. I put the keys down on the foyer table near the door and called, “Olivia? Bradley?”
Someone with a high-pitched female voice I didn’t recognize said, “Finally.” A woman dressed all in pink and white floated toward the door. “Johnny Dawes.”
I swallowed and squeezed the hand she put in mine. “Are you Britney Wolfe?” I dropped her hand quickly. The hairs on my arms stood on end. Olivia was close. I could feel her. I turned around and saw Bradley, who was holding Olivia’s hand. My heart jumped.
I walked to their side and put my arms around them. “Olivia. Bradley. There you are.”
“We’re here,” Olivia said, and though she didn’t move away, she didn’t seem exactly warm to my holding her. She motioned toward the blond woman. “Britney was just telling us how you two might be getting engaged soon.”
“Right. No.” I answered quickly and squeezed her side. I led them all into the living area as I said, “I called my parents, who sent her.”
Britney pivoted and followed us. “Your parents spoke to mine, which is why I’m here.”
My shoulders felt tight as I let Olivia and Bradley go. “Miss Wolfe, it’s impossible for us to ever be engaged.”
She narrowed her gaze and crossed her arms. “Why?”
I motioned behind me and said, “Because I will be asking Olivia soon, and I want her to say yes.”
Bradley yelped. I turned around and saw that Olivia had her palm toward the wall like she needed extra support to stand.
“Seriously? Miss Steel can be my stepmother?”
Brittney pointed toward Olivia and said, “You can’t be serious. She’s the staff.”
Olivia’s face went white. I blocked her from Britney and any more insults. “No. She’s not.”
Britney tilted her head at me and said, “Your son called her Miss. If she was your girlfriend, he’d call her by name.”
Bradley said, “No.” When I turned toward him, he was holding Olivia’s hand again. She reddened. “I love… Olivia. I was just giving her a hard time. Isn’t that right?”
She went down to her knees and hugged him.
