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I stepped back and sighed. “Mrs. Jones.”
“How many times have I told you to call me Leslie?” she purred, batting thick black eyelashes.
I gritted my teeth.
“I was here for another appointment but thought I’d come and check on you.”
“I’m fine and I’m also very busy,” I said coldly. Mrs. Jones was the type who barreled right over subtleties.
If only she’d get offended and leave me alone.
“Of course. Of course. Handsome young doctor like yourself must never have a chance to slow down.”
I frowned.
She returned that with a smile. “If you ever need a break, Doctor, I’m willing to help you out.”
“That won’t be necessary, Mrs. Jones. Have a nice day.” I quickened my step, putting as much distance between us as possible.
When I heard a snicker, I wrenched my gaze down and saw Tawny covering her mouth with a hand and muffling her laughter.
I scowled. “Something funny?”
“Isn’t that woman married?”
“Yes.”
“Yet she’s chasing you?”
“I wouldn’t say that. She’s overly friendly maybe…”
“I’ve been working in hospitals for thirty years and I’ve never seen a doctor cause so much polarity. Some clients hate you just because you’re a man and some love you for it.”
“I’m glad you had a nice laugh at my expense.”
“Oh, loosen up, Doc.” Tawny swiped at her leaking eyes. “I’m just kidding.”
“I didn’t complain.”
“But you didn’t laugh either.” Tawny straightened her collar. “I get that you need to bat away the clingy patients, but we’re all family here. You’ve been at BMC for a year and you’ve already proven that you’re skilled. Live a little.”
I was grateful that everyone acknowledged my experience in this field, but I hadn’t come to Belize to make friends.
Male OB/GYNs had to be twice as professional to make up for the fact that they were a different gender. Even blinking wrong could be misconstrued as flirting.
I’d coached myself to wear the same, inane expression with every patient and every nurse so that they never had cause to doubt my intentions.
I’d maintained a perfect veneer.
Until Portia.
I felt for her.
Deeply.
It wasn’t my first time diagnosing a miscarriage, but I’d never seen a look of such complete shock and such obvious self-bashing before.
Hopefully, she didn’t try to carry this burden alone and talked to someone, even if it was just the hospital counselor. Everyone needed a shoulder to lean on in times of crisis.
