“Maybe with some luck, we’ll all find that,” Nate says, clapping my back.
I give him a faint smile.“Yeah.Maybe.”
“But hey,” Carl adds, grinning.“You said you’re not seeing her.So… you wouldn’t mind if I asked her out?”
The room goes still.Every muscle in my body tenses.The thought of anyone touching her, kissing her, being with her the way I’ve been with her makes me see red.
“You’re not allowed to touch her,” I say.There’s an edge to it.“My boss would have a damn fit.”
He raises an eyebrow, smirking.“Dude.You just gave yourself away.”
I don’t respond.Just take a slow sip of my drink and shift my gaze back to the game on TV, pretending like I didn’t just reveal more than I should’ve.
But yeah.
I’ve got it bad.
And no amount of pretending is going to change that.
Chapter 30
Regan
Iwalkintothehospital with the same pit in my stomach that I woke up with.
That article’s still everywhere with that damn photo of Brant’s arm around me, my body tilted just slightly toward him like I belong there.
Just...natural, both of us smiling for a photo.I thought it felt too good at the time, and the camera caught it like that.Like we were something real.
It’s all over thePulse Bulletin, slipped into group chats, causing murmurs in corners.I pretend I don’t care, but I feel it every time someone glances at me too long or raises their eyebrows just before smiling.
And of course, my dad saw it, probably before I did.
TheToy Story-themed decorations are still up on the ward.Jessie hats, cardboard cutouts, and balloons bouncing near the nurses’ station.It’s ridiculous and over-the-top and so fun.I love that I get to work here.
I head to Brant’s office to check in, to see if there’s anything urgent before rounds.But I find his chair’s empty.I step in to put my bag down.That’s when I get it.A text from him.
Brant:In a meeting.Meet you on the ward.
There’s no sign-off.Just blunt instructions.
I let out a breath through my nose and set it back down, dropping my bag in the corner.I’ll make us a coffee later, when he’s back.Right now, I head for the ward.
“Morning!”I call out as I pass the nurses’ station.
Two of them glance up, already mid-conversation.
“New game today,” Mira says, barely hiding her grin.“It involves Silly String and Brant’s pen.”
I laugh, loving how bold they’re getting.“Why stop there?Rope Dr.Gould into it too.That’s fair.”
“Ohhh,” Jade, the other nurse says, eyes sparkling.“You want us to take down both?”
“Absolutely.”If I’m going to stir the pot, might as well make it interesting.
They’re already plotting before I’m even around the corner.
Still no word on who’s taking over as chief.The tension crackles in the air.Is this what this meeting’s about?
