Page 7 of The Specialist

I chuckled. “I know.”

“What time is it?”

“Just after ten. You can go and change. I made you some food to eat later and a snack for the car. I will pick you up in the morning.”

“Egan, I can drive—”

I cut her off. “For tonight, indulge me.”

She studied me, then linked her fingers with mine. She looked at our hands clasped together. Did she see what I saw? How right it was the way mine enfolded hers? Protected it? How well they fit together?

“That must have been some dream,” she murmured.

I didn’t reply, and she glanced up, meeting my gaze. “Fine, you can drive me tonight and pick me up in the morning. I get my waffles I missed earlier, right?”

I leaned forward and kissed the end of her nose affectionately. “You get anything you want.”

She pushed me away. “Okay, I have to go get dressed.”

I waited until she was ready and drove her to the hospital. “You work too much.”

She laughed. “With HJ gone, I have lots of time on my hands. I love my job.”

“I hate the nights. I worry with you out of the building. The things you must see in the ER.”

She shrugged. “You see terrible things on day shift too. Holidays and full moons are the worst. And it’s not forever. I really want to open my own practice with another doctor. But I’m saving up and waiting for the right partner. Our medical system is so broken right now, and we need more family doctors.”

“I can give you money. Not a problem.” I pulled up in front of the hospital, turning to her. “Anything you need. You ask me. It is yours.”

“I can’t do that, Egan.”

“Why?” I demanded.

“I refuse to rely on anyone but myself. I will open a practice when I can do so on my own terms.”

She unclipped her seat belt, and I covered her hand with mine. “You can rely on me, Sofia. I am not going anywhere.”

She smiled sadly. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

“I will be here.” I leaned over the seat, looking up at her standing next to the car. “Always.”

She shook her head and walked into the hospital.

* * *

I returned home and called Damien. It was before dawn on his side of the world but I knew he’d be around.

He answered fast, sounding pleased to hear from me. “Egan, how are you, my friend?”

“Frustrated,” I muttered.

Damien chuckled, knowing what I was referring to. “I warned you.”

“You’ve been gone months,” I replied. “I thought once you left and we spent more time together, Sofia would realize how good we are,” I grumbled, running a hand through my hair. “Why does she push me away, Damien?” I asked. “She feels this. I know she does. I am at my end rope.”

“You mean the end of your rope.”

“Whatever. I am there.”