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Skylar looks confused. “You only found out he’s back tonight?”
“Yes.”
“How did he know where to find you?”
“We bumped into each other walking on the beach, but he told me he settled on a house down here today that he bought for us. He remembered me saying how much I love the shore, so he bought the house here so that the two of us would have somewhere to go and relax.”
Reagan runs her hands through her hair. “Wow. He’s in love with you, Harley.”
“I don’t know. Maybe. We’ve certainly never said those words to each other. I’m not sure we know each other well enough for that. It’s not like we ever dated. We had a few deep talks that first year, but we haven’t truly gotten to know one another. There’s obviously chemistry, but I don’t know if it’s love.”
Reagan lifts her eyebrows. “I watched that chemistry unfold. There’sdefinitelychemistry.”
She puts her arms around me. “Harley, we love you. We both vote that you fuck his brains out and live happily ever after. It would be super awesome for my sister to not be so miserable. Let Mr.Best Sex of My Lifefuck the misery right out of you.” We all laugh.
Skylar hugs me too. “Yea, Harley. Who cares what other people think? If you want him and he wants you, go for it.”
“Let me see how the next few weeks play out at work.” I look at both of them. “Thank you both so much for ditching your plans and coming down. You two are the best sisters. I mean it.”
We spend the rest of the night drinking our wine, laughing, and doing what sisters do.
CHAPTERNINE
THE PRESENT
HARLEY
It’s Wednesday and I’m back at the hospital after the New Year. This will be our first day on the surgical floor. I’m excited because this is what I’ve waited for my entire life. I’m nervous because I’ll be around Brody. We haven’t communicated since he left the porch just after midnight on New Year’s.
Michele, John, Marc, and I are all waiting for Dr. McCrevis. I’ve become very close with Michele and John. I adore them.
Marc hasn’t really made an effort to socialize with us. He may have a social anxiety disorder. I don’t know that he has an official diagnosis, but I wouldn’t be surprised. He keeps entirely to himself.
I’ve had drinks with John and Michele a few times. John is a character. That’s for sure.
We see Dr. McCrevis walking toward us with an entire team. Brody is walking with him. My heart starts to race. He’s so handsome. I find myself involuntarily licking my lips. He gives me a subtle wink.
Michele whispers in my ear. “Wow, the tall blonde is hot.” He sure is. I quickly nod in agreement.
Dr. McCrevis shakes all of our hands. “Good morning. I know this is the day you all thought you’d be having four months ago. I hope you can now understand why I felt it was important to start in the ER as a bit of a crash course.”
Dr. McCrevis was completely right about the ER. We were able to see so many different injuries every single day. We would never have seen so much on the surgical floor. While we didn’t really get to work on surgical techniques, the experience was invaluable, and I’m appreciative of him giving us that time to immerse ourselves into things and observe so much.
We all nod in agreement. “Wonderful. Now it’s finally time to dive into surgery. Your time will be split. Half in the labs working on techniques, and half with this brilliant group assembled here. I want to introduce you to our team. For roughly the next year, you’ll rotate among all of these doctors. First up is cardio. Please let me introduce you to Dr. Elizabeth Powers.”
She smiles, steps forward, says a little about her background, and shakes hands in introduction individually with Michele, John, and Marc. When she gets to me, she gives me a big smile and a hug. “Harley, it’s so wonderful to see you here. Oh, I mean Dr. Lawrence.”
She gives me a warm squeeze with both hands. “I’m thrilled that you chose this hospital. I’ll be fighting with all of these guys for your time.”
I smile back. “Thank you, Dr. Powers. You’re a big part of the reason that I’m here. I look forward to learning from you.”
We go through similar introductions with Dr. James Alexander, head of orthopedic surgery, Dr. Sarah Murray, head of obstetric surgery, and Dr. Monica Lipson, head of general surgery.
We finally get to neuro. “Last but certainly not least is neurology. We have two department heads here. We have Dr. Gregory Waters, who you all met briefly in the fall. He specializes mostly in brain surgeries. And Dr. Brody Cooper, who has just today returned to us from a two-year spinal surgery fellowship, his specialty.”
Dr. Waters makes his way down the line shaking hands. He gets to me last. His touch makes me sick. “Dr. Lawrence. A pleasure as always. I look forward to workingcloselywith you.” That was drenched with innuendo. I see Brody clench his jaw and turn bright red in anger.
Brody then makes his way down the line. He smiles appropriately at me. “Dr. Lawrence, it’s been a few years. It’s thrilling that the brightest mind I’ve ever taught is now here to work with us. I’m incredibly happy to work with you.”
