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I eat one, and then my sweet tooth is satisfied. We pack the remaining food and store it inside the metal bin to deter any late-night visitors from frequenting our campsite tonight.
I add another layer over my long-sleeved shirt because the temperature continues to drop as the sun disappears. Zane stokes the fire, and we cuddle up beside it. The burning woodcrackles and pops. I can feel the heat of the flames dancing on my face. The sky grows dark, and the moon is only showing a sliver of itself this evening. Zane is sitting behind me, and I’m leaning against his broad chest.
“I never realized there were this many stars in the sky,” I say, my voice low and reverent. “You can’t see them all with the lights of the city.”
“Just another reason to move here,” he murmurs.
It warms my chest.
“It feels odd, not having a phone attached to my hand,” I admit.
“Are you one of those people who have trouble disconnecting?”
I nod. “Only because I’ve been forced to. I’d get constant calls from nurses on the floor or OR staff about patients or problems. Over the years, they started to call me for everything. I guess I was more approachable than my surgeon.” I play with the string emerging from the hood of my sweatshirt. “The quiet has been unnerving, only because I’m not used to it.”
“What’s he like?” Zane asks after a pause.
“Who? Dr. Cooper?”
“Yeah.”
I sigh. “He’s … complicated.” Zane remains quiet while waiting for me to elaborate.
“He’s married, right?”
I nod. “He has a wife and four kids.”
“I’m surprised he has that many kids if he’s as busy as you say.”
I snort. “It doesn’t take much time to make a baby.”
I stare off into the distance, watching as the darkness swallows up my view. The stillness of our surroundings is eerie, but with Zane here, I feel oddly safe, even out in the open like this.
I hesitate for a beat and consider my next words carefully. “Dr. Cooper has a … reputation.”
“What kind of reputation?” he asks.
Zane shifts his weight and elevates one knee. I wrap my arm around his muscular thigh.
“Let’s just say, he gets around.”
“Affairs?” he asks.
“Yep,” I say, popping theP. “He’s not known for being faithful to his wife.”
“Has he hit on you?”
The question has me stiffening. No one has ever asked me that directly, but I’m sure there’s been plenty of speculation about Dr. Cooper and me behind my back.
“Yes,” I admit quietly.
“Really?” He shifts forward intently. “What did he do?” There’s an edge to his voice now.
“He grabbed me one day in the clinic. And he propositioned me one night …” I trail off, hoping he doesn’t grill me on the subject. I still feel raw from that night. And exposed from the entire situation. I’m not exactly blameless.
“Grabbed you?” I feel him tense against my back. “Where?”
I slide my free hand down my back and tap the top of my butt. I don’t want to say the words out loud.
