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“Don’t have to tell me twice.”
I escort her to the Corvette. I’ve had it out of storage for a few days. I open the passenger-side door to let her in.
“Want to take the long way home?” she asks.
“I can do that.”
We haven’t ridden in the Corvette since we were a couple and it’s too cold to keep the windows down, but there’s something that feels right as we drive down Lake Shore Drive snug in the car that I first realized I loved her in.
Chapter 23
Ellery
I rush into the emergency room with my coffee in hand.
“Sorry. Sorry.” I jog to the staff locker room and hurriedly get out of my coat, replacing it with my white doctor’s coat. The door opens, and I don’t take time to see who it is, instead slipping off my boots and putting on my clogs.
Slamming my locker shut, I turn. I thought that maybe Dr. Murphy followed me, but it’s my dad.
His hands are stuffed into the pockets of his jacket. “You’re late,” he says, as if I don’t already know.
“The train was behind,” I lie, but my dad stares into me as if he knows it was something else.
“I came in early to chat with you because I’ve heard you’ve been distracted lately. Imagine my embarrassment when you show up late.”
The door opens, and Hayes stands in the doorway with a breakfast sandwich in his hand. He doesn’t react right away, his eyes shifting between my dad and me. “I…”
“Leave,” my dad says, and Hayes steps back into the hallway, allowing the door to swing shut.
“Jesus, Dad,” I say, attaching my badge to my coat.
“Your mother wants you to come over for dinner.”
“Okay.”
“You and Cooper,” he says. “And I wouldn’t mind a conversation with him.”
Oh god, no.
I narrow my eyes. “Why?”
“This. You being late. Him showing up here from what I hear. The deliveries. This is a hospital, not a social club.”
“Who’s reporting to you?” I ask, already knowing exactly who it is. “Dr. Murphy? He has it out for me. Always making comments…” I stop myself because I can handle my problems on my own. I don’t run to Daddy. But if Dr. Murphy thinks he’s going to run to my dad every time he thinks I’m out of line, he’ll come to regret it. “It doesn’t matter. Cooper has stopped in since I started here, the entire staff gets deliveries, and you’re only being like this because I’m your daughter.”
“Damn right, I am. Can’t you see what you’re doing? I saw you after his game on Sunday. Kissing and hugging, being referred to as his girlfriend instead of Dr. Ellery Wallace.”
“I can be both,” I say, even though his words are playing to my insecurities.
“You worked hard for that title, you should make sure they use it.”
I blow out a breath. “Tell Mom to text me about dinner. I have to go start my shift.” I walk steadily past him, but he grabs my upper arm and brings me back in front of him.
“I didn’t say this conversation was over. Don’t embarrass me or yourself. You have a lot of promise here to move up and eventually take over my position when I move up the chain. But if word is reaching me, people won’t refrain from telling others.” His jaw clenches for a second. “And since when did I not teach you to put this career first? It will reward you and give you a life you can enjoy afterward with Cooper. You’ll get there, but you have to sacrifice. Being known as Cooper Rice’s girlfriend isn’t going to get you the respect you want or deserve in this industry.” He releases me and steps out of the room.
I take a small reprieve to inhale and exhale a few deep breaths. There really is no pleasing him. No matter what I give, it’s never enough. I blink back my tears, collect myself, and open the door.
“Thank you for joining us, Dr. Wallace,” Dr. Murphy says when I reach the group.
