We both freeze.
Mason.
He’s leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, a smirk carved across his face.“Working late together again?”He steps over, slow and deliberate.“How… dedicated.”
Shit.How long has he been standing there?What did he hear?
“Just correcting a scheduling issue,” Brant says evenly, not missing a beat.
“Was it an issue?”Mason twirls a pen between his fingers.“Funny.I don’t recall it being flagged earlier.And yet here’s Dr.Thomas, very invested in your schedule, Harrison.”
Heat flares in my cheeks, but I force my expression to stay neutral.“The hospital runs better when the schedule makes sense, Dr.Gould.”
Eyes glinting, he tilts his head.“Of course.Pure professionalism.Though I have to say, I’ve never seen a resident put this much effort into their mentor’s schedule.Usually, they’re too busy trying to keep up with their own workload.”His gaze shifts between us, holding long enough to make his point clear.“But I suppose when you’re the hospital director’s daughter, you have more… flexibility in how you spend your time.”
The words land like a slap.The implication hangs there between us.
I open my mouth, about to respond, but Harrison steps forward before I can.
“If you’ve got something to say, Mason, say it to my face.”
Mason shrugs with mock innocence.“Just pointing out how things might look.People might get the wrong idea when two doctors are this...close.Especially when one of them has a direct line to the top.”
I feel Harrison tense beside me.This is usually where he should back away, establish boundaries, say something safe.Something...self-protective.
But he doesn’t.
Instead, he lifts his chin.“Dr.Thomas flagged a scheduling conflict and corrected it.That’s called competence, Dr.Gould.You might want to try it.”
Then he steps closer to me.He doesn’t touch me, but he doesn’t have to.The space between us vanishes.My breath hitches.His protective presence at my side is completely inappropriate, given where we are and who might be watching.But I don’t move away.I can’t.
“And since you seem so curious,” he continues, “her help reflects the kind of professionalism and integrity this hospital should be built on.”
Mason's smirk falters for the first time.This wasn’t the reaction he expected.Pride blooms in my chest.Brant didn’t just defend me.He turned Mason’s accusation into a compliment; made it sound like working together was exactly what we should be doing.Like there’s nothing wrong with it at all.
“How touching,” he sneers.“I’m sure her father will be equally moved.”
“Feel free to tell him,” I snap.“I’d be happy to explain how you tried to sabotage a high-profile surgery.”
His eyes narrow.For a second, I can see him weighing his options before he turns to go.
“Enjoy your moment tomorrow, Harrison.I’ll be watching.”
When he’s gone, I finally exhale.Mason doesn’t hold any real power over me; he’s not my mentor or my supervisor, but he has influence.And if he decides to make this a problem, if he goes to my dad or to the committee with some twisted version of what just happened, it could complicate everything for Brant and me.
I’m hyper-aware of how close Brant still stands.Of the warmth of him beside me.The faint scent of woodsy cologne clinging to his shirt.My pulse thuds in my throat.
“You didn’t have to do that,” I say quietly.“He’s going to talk.”
Brant turns, eyes dark and unreadable as they latch onto mine.“Let him.”
“My father—”
“I know the risks.”He picks up his case, then, as if it’s the most natural thing in the world, he reaches out and tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear.His fingers graze my cheek, lingering just a second too long.
“Some things,” he whispers, “are worth the risk.”
And then he walks away, leaving me standing in the corridor with my heart pounding and the ghost of his touch burning against my skin.
