Page 6 of Iowa Intellect
It’s all I can do to keep from standing up to kick my little brother in the shin when he mutters aloud, “Doh! Friend-zoned.”
6
CAROLINE
I’m not sure why I made the comment to firmly place Brock in the friend zone. I guess I panicked from the adrenaline rush of the near-death experience combined with my body’s instantaneous reaction to both his nearness and sincere look of concern.
Calling him a great friend seemed like the best way to stop the addictive, adoring gaze he was giving me. As much as I wanted to bask in it, I know it isn’t in either of our best interests to allow this undeniable attraction between us to blossom into anything more.
I’m one of his doctors, and I have a professional obligation to keep things between us strictly platonic. I’ve already managed to allow that line to be blurred, but I’m not willing to obliterate it completely.
A romantic relationship between us could jeopardize the career I have worked so hard for. I can’t let that happen. No romance is worth losing my license to practice medicine––no matter how handsome, sexy, and charming the man happens to be.
Now that he has officially saved my life, it’s going to be even harder to resist him, but I must find a way.
The birthday girl’s father locks gazes with me as he says, “An ambulance is on the way.”
“No,” I shake my head vehemently back and forth.
The man’s questioning gaze darts to Brock. Since Brock seems to be in charge, I look at him as I say, “I’m going to be fine. We can’t let those little girls see me being wheeled out of here on a stretcher. It will completely obliterate the fantasy of me being a real mermaid.”
Taking his big, warm hand within my chilly one, I say, “Please––I can’t be the reason they become disillusioned. Let them hold on to their wide-eyed, innocent wonder for as long as possible.”
Brock looks completely uncertain about what to do as he looks down at my hand on his. Rubbing his free hand along the back of his neck, he says, “I don’t know. You gave us quite a scare, and I don’t want to take any chances with your health. I’d much rather be safe than sorry.”
His practical words make sense, but other than being shaky from the ordeal, I can tell that I’m physically fine. Hoping to set his mind at ease, I say, “I’ll call my nurse, Shayna, and ask her to be on standby, in case I start having any problems.”
He’s already shaking his head before I even finish the suggestion. “That’s not good enough. You need to be monitored at least through the night. I’ll stay with you.”
The mere idea of him spending the night with me makes my heart leap in my chest––in both a good and bad way. In a quiet tone, I say, “That’s not necessary. I promise I’m feeling okay.”
The stubborn man gives me a no-nonsense glare and says, “These are your only options. Either go in an ambulance to be checked out at the hospital or let me take care of you.”
There is no denying that the mental image of Brock ‘taking care’ of me is beyond tempting, which is exactly why it would be smart to shut this down before the thrilling idea takes root.
Stalling for time, I say, “Despite being a doctor, I actually don’t like hospitals at all––especially when I’m the patient.”
Brock gives me an amused smile before saying, “They always say doctors make the worst patients.”
Unable to resist him, despite my best efforts, I find myself smiling up at him as I say, “I guess you’re about to find out.”
Brock grins down at me and says to the man on the phone, “Cancel the ambulance. I’m going to spend the entire night watching over and tending to this lovely mermaid.”
Even though I know he’s only referring to caring for my medical needs, I can’t stop the delicious shiver that tingles along my spine at the mere idea of having Brock to myself all night long.
7
BROCK
It shouldn’t surprise me in the slightest that Caroline’s top concern is for the kids, rather than her own well-being. She insists that I help get her situated in her rolling cart, then fusses with her wig and the blanket to make sure everything looks perfect.
Once she’s satisfied, she asks me to wheel her toward the house. As soon as the little girls get a glimpse of the mermaid, they forget about their half-eaten cupcakes and run outside to see her.
Caroline speaks to the girls, somehow managing to make each one feel special. It makes me wonder if she does this with our team, as well. She has always made me feel like I am her favorite patient.Do all the guys think they are important to her?
She’s a natural with the children. Their eyes light up as they ask her questions about her life under the sea and receive creative, thoughtful responses.
Not wanting her to overdo it too much, I say to the group, “It’s time for Sparkles to go home.”
