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I knew his type. I’d met them all over D.C. Funny thing was, once they found out I was a surgical resident, I suddenly seemed less attractive. That was until I met Ben .
Ben was another resident in my program, and after studying and working together, it seemed to make sense to be roommates. Roommates turned to sex when we were both in the apartment together. Somehow that felt like enough of a relationship to me. After a year, I knew we were a good match. He was handsome and smart and not intimidated by my work. We had everything in common. He was the perfect guy on paper. I could go through a list and check off all the things I wanted in a partner. Except one. The most important one .
But all of it changed the day I found out my roommate was fucking another woman .
I couldn’t help it. I ripped into the chocolates and started eating one of the pretty pink ones. By the time I looked down, I had eaten six. I crammed the lid on top and lifted the boxes in my arms. I needed to get home. Thinking about Ben pissed me off. It reminded me why I was here alone. Why I had left D.C. Why I didn’t bother to split things in the apartment and had driven to Texas with only a car full of clothes .
I wiped an angry tear from my cheek and raced past the nurses. I didn’t want to hear about my admirer. I wasn’t up for girl talk. They didn’t know what I was going through. Broken by one asshole, just to be pursued by another .
* * *
T he next day, I slammed the cabinet to my locker, eager to get out of the hospital so I could make it home and take a shower. I had been in surgery for six hours putting a twenty-year-old’s leg back together after it was smashed in a car accident. The concentration and focus it took had wiped me out, but the surgery was a complete success. With rehab and physical therapy, he’d be able to walk again, and we were able to give him hope for more than that .
Sharing the news with his parents after the surgery was a relief. Their faces lit with joy, and I knew I could leave the hospital knowing I had kicked ass today .
I stood to leave the doctors’ lounge and stopped when I saw Sonny. She was holding a long white box .
“Oh no. Not again.” This was the third day in a row .
“These just came for you.” She approached me, her eyes giddy .
I took the box from her arms and placed it on the bench next to me. There was a card on top, but I was afraid to read it .
“Thanks.” I dismissed her with a frown .
I could tell she wanted to stay and see what was inside and who it was from, but I needed the lounge to myself. We both knew the Wranglers’ quarterback had sent the surprise .
I pulled the lid from the box. I stared at the dozens of orchids spilling from the tissue-lined center .
“Oh my God.” I covered my mouth. They were delicate and gorgeous. And expensive .
I touched the petals of purple and white. They felt like butterfly wings. And my stomach felt like butterflies were dancing inside. I was excited and nervous and slightly horrified. I couldn’t accept another gift like this from a patient. Especially a patient that made me feel the way he did .
I covered the flowers, not sure what to do with them. It wasn’t like I could toss them in the trash. They were too beautiful. And I certainly couldn’t leave them with the nurses—the gossip would never die down. I tucked the box under my arm. My only choice was to take them home. Damn that Wes Blakefield. Damn him .
* * *
I walked through the door, carefully placing the delicate package on the counter. I searched through the cabinets for a vase. I didn’t even know if I had one here. Everything came standard with the apartment. I spotted one in the cupboard over the refrigerator. I stood on a stool and retrieved it from its high perch. After filling it halfway with water, I arranged the flowers. The purple and white petals floated in the air. I couldn’t help but grin. No man had sent me flowers like these before. I could only imagine what he had spent on them .
I took out a bowl, ready to heat some soup, when my phone rang. I dug through my bag until I found it .
“Hello, this is Dr. Ashworth .”
“Hey, Doc .”
My stomach gripped. The butterflies came to a full screeching halt .
“How did you get my number?” My mind raced. Did I give it to him? Did he somehow hypnotize me with his eyes to get it ?
“Pulled a few strings.” He laughed on the other end. “Did you like the flowers ?”
“Oh, the flowers.” I stared at the exotic blooms. “They’re beautiful, but you can’t send me things like that. I’m your doctor .”
“It’s just a thank you .”
I rolled my eyes. “Well thank you for the thank you, but …”
“And did you like the Wranglers gear? How about the chocolates?” he asked .
