Page 7 of Secret Seduction
“No, please don’t do that.” I hurry the words out of my mouth. I’ve already thought about the other doctor in the office Doctor Gallo is in partnership with more than I’d care to admit. I don’t even want to acknowledge the hours I’ve spent remembering the devastatingly handsome doctor wearing green scrubs, muscles bulging, tattoos on both arms, and had my gaze lingering on his face. I became lost in a daze when his eyes held mine captive, dark, heady with an intensity I’d never known before. Like a whisper against your neck, unknowing, unhurried, and building a need deep inside of you.
“You’re bound to meet the whole crew, especially with Lyric working at LITHE,” Lennie says.
“Well, at least I have a couple of weeks before that could potentially happen, and not today. You know, sitting in a hospital gown and recovering from surgery,” I say with laughter in my voice.
“True. There’s also Doctor Gallo.” I resettle myself, fixing my pillow for the hundredth time. It’s a miracle I slept last night with how uncomfortable I’ve been this morning.
“And you two can be on your merry way now. No more talk about hot guys, let alone doctors.” I scrunch my nose for added effect.
“Fine, but when you’re back at LITHE, we’re making it happen,” Lyric says, finishing picking up my room. “Now, I hate to come and go so quickly, but I’ve got a pregnant woman to feed and a job to get to. I hear the boss frowns upon her employees being late.”
“From what I heard, she’s a real tyrant. There are nobreaks, she overschedules, and the pay sucks,” I play into her comment.
“Damn, tough break, Lyric.” Lennie heaves herself out of the chair, all belly; if you looked at her from behind, you wouldn’t even know she’s pregnant with twins.
“Maybe I should ask Luke for a job instead,” Lyric says as she bends down to give me a quick hug. Lennie does the same, which is harder for her.
“Don’t even think about it.” I’d be lost without Lyric, and she knows it.
“I would never, plus the hours are amazing. Between LITHE and the vet clinic, I’ve got it made. I’ll call you later, see if you need anything on my way home, okay?”
“Thank you, both of you. Really. I love my parents, but, man, Dad can get a bit overbearing when his kids aren’t doing as well as he’d like them to.” Both women nod their head in agreement.
“Oh, honey, Asher is that way all the time.”
“Jagger isn’t much better. I got a splinter once, and you should have seen him acting like this crazy person. The wood deck almost saw its demise until I told Jag it was from the railing. I thought he was going to tear the house apart looking for the tweezers. The next day, he sanded every freaking groove.”
“Why can I see him actually doing this?” Jagger is one of the guys I’ve met. He stopped by one day when Lyric was working and took a look around. He’s head and shoulders taller than her, broad, and wears his hair in a longish way that’s not grunge rock style yet gives him an edge.
“Because he did, the big Viking god. Anyways, we’re outof here. I really don’t want to be late. I’m opening the studio, so it would be even worse. Call me later, or I’ll text.” Lyric kisses her fingers and lifts them in the air.
“See you soon. Rest up. Oh, by the way, we’re introducing you to the rest of the group this Sunday at my place,” Lennie spits out like it’s no big deal. “You can’t say no. It’s my last hurray until after the babies are born. Then Asher said no more parties at our house for the first month at least. He’s a pain in my ass, I swear.”
“I guess I can’t say no to that. Let me know what I can bring. Thank you for stopping by.” A yawn comes out of nowhere, and I can barely cover my mouth beforehand. They leave the door slightly ajar behind them. My eyes close, and I lament the fact I’m still in the hospital. I really hope I get to go home soon.
4
LUKE
I’m walking through the back of the clinic on a fucking mission. I overslept after eating dinner with Jude; Trent stopped by for all of five minutes before Briar called and asked him to pick up ice cream since Kenny forgot it at the grocery store. The pregnancy brain has officially hit her, and Briar is going to have to learn to remind her mom of a few things here and there. I came home, worked on the rest of my files, then grabbed a quick shower before passing out on the couch, where I didn’t move until my alarm blared to life in my ear. I hit the snooze button one too many times, a task that would be fine if it weren’t for the fact that I told Gallo I’d check on his patient.
Asher calling me to tell me his wife was heading to the hospital to see a friend had me flying off the couch, moving as fast as I could through the house. I got dressed in record time, pissed as fuck that I’d be seeing patients in office so wearing scrubs wouldn’t be an option. I’mlucky my damn shoes match at this rate. I put Jag on speaker phone, scrubbed my teeth, ran my fingers through my hair, quickly put on a white long-sleeve button-down shirt and black slacks, slid a belt through the loops, hopped around to put my socks on, and then, last but not least, found my shoes. I grabbed a tie to fling over my neck before walking back through the house to pick up the rest of my shit to take to the clinic with me.
I never oversleep; I’m the one who runs a tight fucking ship, minus my disaster of an office and keeping up with documenting transcripts. Other than that, I’m not late, not fucking ever, unless it involves a patient.
“Doctor Camden, can I ask you a question?” I have to make a pit stop at my office to off-load the shit in my hands when what Doctor Gallo and I like to call ‘the problem’ is running me down.
“Can this wait, Marissa? I have a patient in the gynecology wing to see to and then my own will be here.” It’s going to suck without Lennie here. She kept this one in check; she also didn’t let her near me in instances like this. Marissa has hinted too many times to count that she wouldn’t be opposed to us dating.
“I guess, but this is important, too.” She’s attempting to lure me into a conversation I don’t want.
“Does it relate to anything to do within the office?” I ask, setting my laptop bag on my desk before moving to the corner to grab my white coat.
“Kind of.” My back is still to her. Not a chance in hell would I ever entertain the thought of dating her. First off, she’s an employee, an okay one at that. Second, she’s anotorious gossip. Third, she’s been known to instigate drama between the other staff here. Fourth, her father is on the board at the hospital. Fifth, I’m not remotely attracted to her. I could go on and on, but I’ve got more important things to do.
“Then it can wait.” I’m sliding my arms into the sleeves, unable to keep my back to her, since I really do need to see Shaelynn Parker. I avoided her last night while she slept. Thankfully, Ivy never called, and every doctor knows, no news is good news.
“Later, then.” She licks her lips, smiles a saccharine-sweet smile, one that turns my fucking stomach, and finally leaves.
