And finally, after a day of stewing over points one and two, I forgot to put my favorite scrubs in the dryer and had to wear my backup pair that are too tight on my butt.
I thought coming to work tonight I could unwind, forget about everything and just get lost in work and studying.
Then Ash Kelly happened.
I’ve spent all night ignoring the butterflies in my stomach when I’m near him while trying to remain an objective and considerate caretaker.
I adjust my glasses and then turn the page of my book at the same time the group of nurses surrounding Ash break out in boisterous laughter. Instead of the words on the page, all I can concentrate on is the hot patient charming my coworkers. I look up and inadvertently meet Ash’s gaze. He’s smiling, but it looks strained. I wonder if his shoulder is hurting him. He put on a shirt before he left his room earlier—small mercies, but he looks too good to be true in a basic gray T-shirt and his athletic pants.
I’m not too proud to admit that I looked him up after he tried to get my number at the game. I knew, or I sort of assumed, that Ash was as big a player as he seemed. I was one hundred percent correct. His hockey stats are impressive, but so are the girls he’s dated.
All the women he’s been pictured with are stunning. His last girlfriend was an actual model. He doesn’t post on his social media accounts that often, but there were still several images of the two of them on beautiful vacations and attending fun, local parties.
The phone on the desk in front of me rings and I jump like a girl in a horror film.
While I answer, Ash and Hannah slowly make their way to me. Hannah takes the seat next to me again. Ash stands in front of me on the other side of the nurses’ station.
He watches me as I chat back and forth with the guy in the emergency room department downstairs. My face warms under his gaze. He has this way of watching me that’s unnerving. Like he’s checking me out but noticing more than my physical appearance.
Ignoring him the best I can, I hang up the phone and direct my attention to Hannah. “That was the ER. They’re sending up a broken pelvis.”
She nods and glances back at the board with our room assignments.
“Do you want me to take them?” I ask. Since I have a VIP patient, Sandy gave me fewer rooms than everyone else.
“No. I’ve got it. Why don’t you go ahead and go to lunch?”
“Sure. I’m just going to check on my patients first.” I glance at Ash. “You should try to get some sleep. Lying down will help your shoulder.”
“I can’t sleep in this place.” The flash of vulnerability in his eyes is there one second and gone in the next. A flirty smile kicks up one side of his mouth. “Maybe you want to come keep me company while you’re on your lunch? I have lots of food.”
“What you’re proposing sounds like the opposite of rest.”
“Did you think keeping me company was code for getting naked or something? I’m shocked, Bridget.” The way he says my name sends goosebumps racing up my arms. “I was only suggesting we sit and hang out. I want to hear what you’ve been up to since the last time I saw you.” His smile couldn’t be any smugger if he tried.
“I’m not allowed to hang out while I’m on the clock. I have other patients.”
“Professionalism, I dig it. So, check on them first, then come hang out.” He glances around the empty halls. “Looks like everyone is sleeping, anyway.”
“Everyone but you,” I correct him. “I’m sorry. I can’t hang out with you.”
“Unless I need something…” He shifts his attention. “Tell me, Hannah, if I were to go to my room right now and buzz my nurse, would Bridget be the one to come check on me?”
“Yes, she would.” She stands and stretches.
The traitor.
He’s charmed all my coworkers to taking his side.
“And she’d tell you—” I start, but he cuts in.
“That I need rest. I know, I know. I got it.” He blows out a breath and runs a hand through his messy light-brown hair as he moves away from the desk.
“I’ll be by in a few hours, but if you need anything—really need anything—just buzz.”
“All right. Three hours. I’m gonna hold you to that. Later, Nurse Bridget.”
The man is infuriating, but somehow so likeable that it’s hard to be annoyed with him. As he strolls away, I stand to work off some of the anxiousness in my body.
“That is one good-looking guy.” Hannah moves a step closer to me when he’s gone.