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"Is this about a patient in the ER?" I ask dumbly, my heart pounding as Dr. Martin laughs easily. Of course, we both know it's not, but I still don't want to embarrass myself by being presumptuous. "If you need my help before my shift starts, I'd be happy to come down with you now."
"Don't worry, Georgina," he says with an amused glance my way. "This has nothing to do with work. I was just wondering whether you'd allow me to buy you a cup of coffee sometime."
"Oh?" I ask lamely, my heart racing. "You don't have to, Dr. Martin."
"I know I don't have to," he says firmly. "But I'd very much enjoy your company."
An uncomfortable silence descends upon us and I chew my bottom lip nervously as I whisper, "I'm just not so sure it's a great idea, Dr. Martin, I –"
"Andrew," he interrupts with a blinding, pearly white smile. "Please, sweetheart. Call me Andrew."
I don't like the pet name he's used, but I tell myself I'm picking up on the smallest of things again, so I swallow my reply and manage a shaky smile in his direction, repeating the name with an uncomfortable edge to my voice. "Andrew."
"Good girl."
Fuck.
Those two little words floor me, reminding me of all the other times I've heard them. The dirty videos I watch, where men whisper those two little words in whimpering women's ears, reminding them exactly who they belong to.
Instantly, I'm putty in the man’s hands, and I find myself smiling deliriously as he goes on.
"Well, how about dinner tonight? Let me treat you, the way a girl like you deserves."
I'm about to bite back and tell him I'm not a girl anymore, but I save my breath, remembering Dinah and Katya's words. They're right. I've been pushing men away for far too long. Maybe it's time for me to get back in the game.
"Okay," I reply hesitantly, fighting back my instincts that are telling me to run. Dr. Martin shoots me a brilliant smile and I do my best to replicate it, but I'm tense, nervous. "I would love to have dinner with you tonight, Dr. Mart… Andrew."
His eyes warn me not to repeat my mistake from earlier, and he smiles when I use his first name.
"Wonderful." He picks himself up and stares down at me, as if he's trying to devour me with his gaze.
I glance up too, picking up things about him I haven't noticed before. Like how light blond his hair is amid the streaks of gray. How chiseled sharp his jaw is, and how his faint hint of stubble reminds me of one of my foster fathers. It sends an uncomfortable shiver down my spine, and I shake my head to get rid of the thought.
"I'll pick you up at your apartment around seven thirty. Does that work for you?"
"Sounds good," I say, hoping he can't hear the uncomfortable edge to my voice. I rattle off my address and phone number, and he saves them both in his phone before flashing me another grin. "I'll see you tonight."
"Cannot wait." He rubs my shoulder for a second before disappearing down the hallway. I only notice I've been holding my breath when he finally leaves, and I exhale a sigh of relief just as Dinah reappears with the now empty box of donuts.
"So, how did it go?" she gushes, and I make a face at her.
"As well as it could have, I suppose. I'm meeting him for dinner tonight."
"How perfect!" She claps her hands together with excitement and I cringe inwardly. I'm really, really not looking forward to this date. Not only because of Dr. Martin... Andrew's expectations, but my friends', too. "You're going to have a great time. Now, for your clothes…"
As Dinah launches into a long monologue about date outfits, I wonder why I accepted the doctor's offer in the first place. I should've just let him down gently; explain I don't date.
Besides, there is a rumor I've heard floating around the hospital, gossip circulating about one of the other nurses, Janine, who got transferred to another hospital in the area – one that's well-known for being badly run, and not a great place to work.
I've heard it whispered that Dr. Martin was the man behind her transfer, and though I never thought to ask why, I have a feeling I wouldn't like the reason.
My mind instantly goes to Rebecca Serrano, another nurse, a head nurse to be specific, who left a few days ago. The staff has been busy gossiping about her reason for leaving.
Some say her husband is in the mafia, others swear they saw her with a known hitman in the city.
Whatever the reason is, Rebecca has gone. Just another unsolved mystery to add to the mix.
I shift my thoughts back to Dr. Martin. I have my doubts about the guy, but my friend seems so excited, I allow myself a glimmer of hope, too.
