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CHAPTER4
Kyleigh
I was restocking the med cart towards the end of my shift when Dr. O’Connor came into my unit. “Nurse Marzon, would you be able to work a double shift tonight?” he asked.
Normally I would leap at the chance, but I had just texted Liam a location for our meeting. He hadn’t responded yet, but I was hopeful that he meant what he said.
“I can’t tonight. Sorry,” I replied.
“Don’t be. You’ve been pulling so many late shifts that I got used to you saying yes. I’m glad you turned it down. You should be home with your parents. I had seen them in town a few days ago and they mentioned how much they missed having dinner with you.”
Guilt filled me, because I was free tonight, but still wasn’t having dinner with them. They hadn’t mentioned anything to me about it. All they said was how proud they were of my dedication to caring for the sick. I promise, next night off, I’m spending it at home. Tonight, I’m spending it with Liam.
“They understand,” I replied.
“I’m sure they do. But you’re too young to be working all the time. I will need to be more conscientious of your time in the future,” he said.
“I don’t mind working.” It was true. Granted, I did miss spending time with my parents, and usually when I arrived home, I was too tired to sit and chat. Once we finished eating, I got bored. It wasn’t like there was a nightlife to be had in Tabiq so I might as well be productive. Even Karrol was working a lot and she was the one friend I could always have fun with. “If you can’t find someone, I might be able to change my plans.”
“No. Go and enjoy yourself. Have a good night, Nurse Marzon,” he said, and left my unit.
I’m hoping to. But Liam hasn’t answered me yet.
I wasn’t sure I had made the right decision. Finn O’Connor had given me so many new opportunities since he’d taken over running the hospital. He’d even offered to send me to the United States for more training. Knowing that he believed in me as a nurse meant a lot. Last night I hid the fact that Finn’s brother had been in a knife fight, and now I was turning down work to be with him. I’m not exactly showing my appreciation to Finn for his confidence and support.
I thought about sending a second text to let Liam know I’d changed my mind, and I couldn’t meet today after all. But just as I started to mentally compose that message, I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I pulled it out and saw it was a response from Liam.
I’LL BE THERE AT SIX.
There was a strange, unfamiliar flutter in the pit of my stomach. I had felt it last night when he’d waved for me to come down to him in the parking lot. I was so drawn to him that I couldn’t bring myself to cancel, even if Finn had begged me to work.
I need to know why I feel this way.
Slipping my phone back into my pocket, I forced myself to concentrate on patient care and not the very handsome Liam O’Connor. But even as I grabbed the first patient chart from behind the desk, my mind wandered back to Liam. I knew his injury wasn’t life threatening, but seeing his wound had shaken me. It must not have happened on the resort, or the entire country would’ve been talking about it. The Henderson family made sure everyone who entered the resort had been vetted. That meant Liam had been attacked somewhere else, and if it happened once, it could happen again.
And he might not be so lucky a second time.
I put the chart down and pulled out my phone. Texting was easy, but what needed to be said shouldn’t be in writing. I knew I shouldn’t make personal calls on duty, but in a way, I was thinking of another’s well-being.
“Hello, Kyleigh,” Liam answered. “Are you off work already?”
“No. I…I was thinking of you and…”
“Thinking of me? Funny, I was thinking about you too,” he said.
Not the same way, I’m sure.
“You were?” I asked. Damn it. Don’t get distracted.
“I’m looking forward to seeing you,” he said.
“Yes. About that. I…It might not be a good idea,” I stammered, hating the words as I said them. I couldn’t wait to see him. I could pretend like it was just so I could check on his wound, but I knew that the wound had nothing to do with it. I was attracted to him, and for once, I just wanted to be free, be myself. And now I might be closing the door on that opportunity.
“Don’t want to have dinner with me?” he asked.
“I mean I’m worried about you leaving the resort. I love my country, but it can be dangerous at times. You didn’t tell me what happened, but I know what your being attacked means. You’re being watched and it won’t be long before they try again.” A shiver ran through me at the thought of what might happen the next time.
“Kyleigh, I’m not worried about it. Trust me, the guy got lucky because I hadn’t seen the knife. It won’t happen again,” he said firmly.
