Page 9 of Seduction
“Then I’ll see you in the morning,” Deb said and hung up.
I sighed forcefully as I scratched my scalp beneath my loose ponytail. Deb and I had entered the program at the same time. She opted to be chief resident. I preferred to stay where I could perform as many surgeries as possible. She was the best chief resident in the complex, but sometimes she could be an annoying hard-ass that I loved to death.
Five minutes later, I stood outside of OR seven, chewing nervously on my bottom lip, waiting for Melanie to finish relaying my message to Dr. Sparrow about Mr. Sharp and give me the green light to save his life.
Finally, the door opened. She gave me a thumbs-up, and I immediately raced to OR three to get the surgery underway.
* * *
Six HoursLater
My shift was over,and I was ready to devour an order of bourbon wings then settle in for a long day’s sleep. But first I went to check in on Mr. Sharp. When I stepped into the patient’s room, he was awake but groggy from being on pain medication. Two big guys who looked the same age as the patient were standing at his bedside. I could tell they weren’t meaning to stay long. They wore work boots with jeans and tan T-shirts.
I always remembered to smile when first encountering patients and their visitors. “Good morning,” I said, making sure to not say it too loudly.
The men gave me funny looks, so I told them I was Dr. Ross and I’d performed the surgery earlier that morning.
“There’s no way in hell you’re a surgeon,” one of them said.
“Yes, sir,” I said with an assured nod. I wasn’t insulted by his surprise. I got that a lot. Then I focused on the patient. “Mr. Sharp, how are you doing this morning?”
He raised his thumb.
My smile broadened. “Glad to hear it. Your surgery went smoothly. Your vitals have been looking good. You’re a strong man, Mr. Sharp.”
“Trey. Call me Trey,” he said softly.
One of his visitors extended an arm toward me. “And me, Jack.”
I shook his hand.
The other guy also shot his arm out. “I’m Mike.”
“Jack and Mike,” I said while shaking Mike’s hand.
“I don’t see a ring, Doc,” Mike said, still holding my hand.
“Good morning,” a voice blared from behind me.
We all turned toward the doorway to see who’d spoken. It was Dr. Sparrow.
* * *
First of all,I had no idea that “good morning” was in his vocabulary since I’d never heard him say it once. The day before, while passing Zara and me on his way into the building, would’ve been a great time for him to say it.
As he strolled toward us with the air of a marquis, his presence filled the room. I felt dwarfed standing next to him, and I was pretty sure that was his intention.
What a dick.
Then he went on explaining to Trey’s friends the procedure that I’d performed. I was supposed to do that, and I wanted to cut him off and take over.
“Well,” I said as soon as Sparrow finally took a pause. “I’m going to step out. Trey, I’m glad you’re feeling well this morning. The nurses will continue to check on you regularly—”
“She saved your life this morning,” Sparrow said.
My body stiffened. I was shocked to hear him say that. Finally, I let my gaze meet his.
His eyebrows shifted upward and stayed there. “She did good work.”
