Page 9 of Lethal Attraction

Violent.

“Fine,” I lie through gritted teeth.

The nurse hums as she messes with my IV. “Your fluids are almost done. How’s your stomach feeling? Anesthesia can cause loss of appetite, but it’s best if you eat something.”

I would rather gnaw off my own ankle than eat whatever mystery meat is under the brown cover.

My nurse doesn’t seem to pick up on my refusal as she marks something down in my chart. “Any pain?”

“No,” I mutter.

“Your doctor will be making rounds in the morning. If you have any questions, make sure to have them ready for him.” She says as she closes out my chart and heads for the door.

“Wait!” I perk up, catching her attention. “Is my doctor the same one who did surgery on me?”

Her brow creases. “You must be talking about Dr. Bellamy. No, hun. He’s off tonight and he’s an ER surgeon.”

I wilt a little. “Could I request him?”

The nurse smiles. “I’ll pass on the message for you.”

I thought about throwing the food tray at her because she didn’t sound convincing at all, but I know if I want to see Dr. Dreamy again, I need to be on my best behavior. I rest my head back, staring out at the city lights in the distance. I concoct my own plan to get Dr. Dreamy to my room. If only he knew…

Chapter five

Reed

I’m supposed to be enjoying my night out with friends. Instead, I’m hunched over a whisky glass, thinking of long, dark hair and pale blue eyes. I checked Thalia’s chart before I left for the night, and I shouldn’t have.

I had no right to go through her information after she was handed over to the ICU. It was a major HIPAA violation, and in all of my years as a doctor, I never imagined I would encroach on the security allotted to a patient. As I closed her chart out, I was disgusted with myself.

She isn’t my responsibility, and I’m still not sure why I did it. It just kept nagging me. I had to see that she was okay, and in the process, I invaded her privacy.

“Brunette at five o’clock,” Taryn says from beside me at the bar. She tips her beer in the opposite direction to a woman who’s three drinks deep with glassy green eyes.

Emma, Taryn’s wife, slaps her partner’s bicep. “Stop trying to be a wingman. Reed said he isn’t looking for anything.”

While Taryn is outspoken and headstrong, her wife, Emma, is quiet and the voice of reason. She’s a librarian and the most reasonable of the three of us. In times like this, I commend her ability to rein Taryn in.

“Thank you, Em,” I say, lifting my glass to her.

She smiles, tucking her thick dark curls behind her ear. “It’s no problem.”

Taryn rests her chin in her palm as she stares at her wife with half-lidded eyes. “You know I can’t help it. He needs someone in his life.”

Emma gives her patient look. “And he should be the one to decide when he’s ready. Not you, love.”

Taryn tucks a strand of hair behind her partner’s ear, looking deeply, madly in love. “You’re so fucking beautiful.”

Emma giggles, and I know I’ve lost them. Times like this make me envy the couple. Their relationship is effortless, and they’re perfect for each other.

When was the last time I found companionship in another?

The last time I felt connected to another person?

It’s been too long for me to recount. Well, this was moot. I enjoy my friend’s presence, but I don’t think I’m in the headspace to interfere with their night. They don’t get to come out often, and I don’t want to drag them down.

“I have an early shift tomorrow,” I announce, catching their attention. “I’ll see you in the morning, T.”