Page 99 of The Love Operation

Just your average Thursday.

Chapter 25

Cry Havoc and Let Slip the Burgers of Night—With Apologies to Shakespeare

I don’t overthink it. I simply walk straight up to Patti’s desk outside Isaac’s office and say, “Hi, Patti. I need to speak to Mr. Thompson.”

Nailed it. It comes out exactly like I practiced on the way over.

“Is he expecting you?” She eyes me like a shark over her chained spectacles.

“No,” I say. “But this is urgent.”

“May I tell him what it’s about?”

No, Patti. Now let me in before I stick a scalpel in your eye.

Just kidding. I don’t carry a scalpel in my pocket. Anymore.

“I have concerns about behavior I witnessed in the OR today.”

Not untrue, but also not what I want to talk to him about. This satisfies her, though. What did she think I was here to talk to him about? His lap dance schedule?

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out while Patti takes her sweet time checking with Isaac.

Benedict: You are not obligated to do this.

Me: You don’t want to do dinner?

Benedict: I didn’t say that.

Me: I don’t have time for this. Are we going to dinner or not?

Benedict: We are.

I slide my phone back into my pocket, and the light overhead suddenly flares bright, forcing me to squint. Then it fades back to normal. Bulb must be about to blow.

Patti reappears and gestures toward Isaac’s office.

I smile politely. If only she knew.

I walk in and shut the door behind me.

Isaac stands. “This is a surprise.”

He moves like he might hug me, but I hold up a hand. “No touching. Patti could walk in at any second.”

He smiles. “Fair enough. To what do I owe the pleasure? Are you off early?”

“Nearly. My cases shifted, so I’m done earlier than expected.”

“Great. Let me wrap up a few—”

“Actually, I wanted to run something by you.” I hesitate, then push through. “I operated on a college friend’s dad today. He asked to take me to dinner—to catch up and say thank you. Would you mind?”

For a brief second, his face tenses. He definitely minds, but then just as suddenly, his features relax.

“Just the two of you?” he asks, casual on the surface, but I can hear the strain underneath.