Page 9 of Finally Yours
I turn around to face the counter and look down. “Thanks for the advice, Bruce. I’ve got it handled.”
He slaps me on the back again. “Sure you do, doc. Anyway, I’ve got a patient to see. Seems Sergeant O’Hara in Room 438 does have a constipation problem that’s gotten out of control. Now, he needs surgery.” He emits a low whistle. “Weird how that happens. Let something fester and it becomes something much bigger.”
I roll my eyes.Damn old man and his well-intentioned advice.
“That Lyla is a firecracker, isn’t she?” Dr. Felix’s voice is like fingernails on a chalkboard in my ear.
I swing around slowly to look at the young doctor. “She’s a well-qualified nursing student if that’s what you mean by firecracker, Dr. Felix.”
The young man grins. I have tried not to let him get under my skin, but something about him rakes on my last nerve. Maybe it’s the fact that all the nurses are in love with him. Maybe it’s the fact that he reminds me of a younger version of myself.Maybe it’s because he puts too much hair gel in his hair. Aw hell, who am I kidding? It’s because Lyla likes him.
He chuckles. “Yeah, she sure iswell-qualified.” His voice is full of innuendo and my hands curl into fists again.
“We talk about our colleagues in a respectful manner here, Felix. Not like objects of infatuation.” I sound like an uptight asshole, but I won’t have anyone reduce Lyla to a sexual object.
“Sure, sure,” Dr. Felix nods and then grins, “but do you happen to know if she’s single or not?”
My shoulders tense again. “Her single status is none of our business, Felix, and don’t you have patients to round on?” A headache is beginning to brew behind my eyes. The thought of this fool and my girl together makes me feel sick. And old. Most of all, old.
He grins again as he grabs a patient’s chart off the counter. “Okay, okay. No worries, Dr. Cannon. I can always ask the nurses.” He looks over and sends me another cocky grin as he bops away.
Fuck. I hate that guy.
Chapter Ten
He’s a nice guy, but he just isn’t Him. -Lyla
Lyla
“The movie was great. So, so funny. What did you think?” I lean forward across the table and pretend to be eager to hear Jonathan’s opinion. The truth is the movie was just okay, and I feel weird being here at this fancy restaurant, trying to feel something that’s becoming more and more evident I don’t feel.
Dr. Jonathan Felix chatters on with funny anecdotes from the movie. I nod and smile at the right intervals, I hope.Geez, he’s handsome,I think objectively.He uses too much hair gel, but he’s really good-looking.His dark hair is perfectly styled and his puppy dog brown eyes twinkle with mirth and animation. He even has a dimple in one cheek. Not one in each cheek like Asher, but still he’s cute. So why don’t I feel tingles? Or anything? I don’t feel the electricity and excitement in my system that I do when I’m around Asher…
I mentally slap myself.Stop thinking about Asher. Stop thinking about Asher, moron. He’s sure as hell not thinking about you.
I surreptitiously continue checking him out. His chest is broad. He must work out. I bet Asher could still beat him in an arm-wrestling competition though. Asher’s biceps are insane…shit, shake it off, Lyla. Shake it off.When even Taylor Swiftlyrics can’t get me out of my own head, I know it’s time to do something.
“Excuse me, I need to go to the restroom really quick,” I announce suddenly.
Jonathan’s mouth is still wide open as I walk away from the table. He obviously wasn’t finished talking.Darn. I thought I was faking paying attention so well.
Thankfully the bathroom is a single. I lock the door and press my back against it. I pull up the group text between Reina, Sophie, and I. I scroll through the last texts where they were advising me what to wear on my date. I quickly start to type.
Me: This isn’t working, girls. I can’t pay attention to anything my date is saying. All I can think of is Asher.
Reina: Sigh. I knew this was going to happen.
Sophie: So did I. It was your smart idea for her to go on this date, Reina. See? I told you she wasn’t ready.
Reina: Well, I thought getting under another available body might do her some good. Get the juices flowing, you know? Maybe make her forget hot doc?
Me: Can you please quit talking about me like I’m not here?
Sophie: Sorry Lyla. It’s ok if you aren’t into this guy. Maybe it’s just too soon.
Reina: And maybe Asher just needs to get his head out of his ass…
Sophie: Reina…
