“It won’t be the same without you.”
I tug my hand through my hair and resist a groan. It feels like she’s being a tease, pushing me away at the same time she’s reeling me in, but Bailey isn’t like that. She’s genuinely being nice, inviting me to the party because she wants me there. Simple as that.
“I’ll think about it,” I promise, swallowing my anger. “Are you bringing a date?”
“No,” she answers quickly. “Wait, are you?”
I laugh and decide on a whim that I’m tired of pretending. She asked the question, she’s going to get the truth. “No, I’m not bringing a date. The only woman I want to ask had me sign a Word doc instructing me to stay away from her.”
I know I should keep pretending I don’t want her, that arm’s length is my preferred proximity, but I can’t. Every day I’m forced to work alongside her and every day she digs a little more under my skin, carving into me so deep I couldn’t get rid of her if I tried.
“Are you referring to our legally binding contract?” she teases.
I don’t laugh. In fact, I nearly growl. “I’m done, Bailey. I’m not abiding by that stupid list of demands anymore. Do you hear that? It’s the sound of me tearing that ‘contract’ in two.”
She stays silent, no doubt contemplating the weight of my words.
I smirk as I continue, “I’ll come to that party tomorrow night. In fact, I’m looking forward to it now. Don’t forget my gift.”
Chapter 25
BAILEY
It’s snowing outside. Big, fat flakes drop from the sky and accumulate on the ground, turning the parking lot into a winter wonderland. It’s fitting considering the interior of the restaurant NEMC rented out has been transformed to match. The party planners spared no expense. There are little Christmas vignettes in every corner of the room, fake deer and Christmas trees and those big, wrapped presents with nothing inside of them. There’s enough food and drink to fill us all ten times over. The heads of the hospital might have protested about spending money on June’s surgery, but they apparently have no qualms about dishing out big bucks for an event like this.
I shake away the thought and try to get into a more festive mood. There are only a few more days until Christmas! I have paid time off for the next ten days! SANTA IS COMING!
It’s no use though. There’s no room for cheer when I’m on high alert, scanning the room every few minutes on the off chance Matt arrived while I wasn’t looking. The event is even more crowded than Dr. Lopez’s retirement party. Every surgeon in the entire hospital is here with his or her family. Kids run around, high on sugar and the fact that they don’t have school in the morning. I’m standing in a group with Megan and Erika and their dates. I don’t have a date. Well, I have Josie. I glance over and find her exactly where I left her: sitting at a table by herself, reading a book and double-fisting bacon-wrapped shrimp. I watch as a cute boy her age—Dr. Richard’s son, if I’m not mistaken—walks over to try to engage her in conversation and she waves him away, not bothering to look up from her book. For my sake, I’m glad she’s currently choosing Harry Potter over boys. I’m not quite ready to play the role of angry, shotgun-toting father.
“No date tonight, Bailey?” Erika asks.
How dare she call me out in front of the whole group?!
For all she knows, I’m actually a loveless loser and not just pining after my angry, hot boss.
“Nope,” I reply, affecting a casual tone. “Just my sister.”
They glance over in time to see her steal yet another bacon-wrapped shrimp off a passing tray. Boy are we related or what?
“What about that blond guy from Smooth Tony’s?” Megan asks, tilting her head. “He was cute and he seemed into you. Did anything happen with that?”
Ha. Cooper. Boy are they behind. I’d need a million years to catch them up so I just shake my head and pretend I’m disappointed when I reply, “Nah, didn’t really pan out. He wasn’t ready for a relationship.”
It’s as good a lie as any and as they throw me sympathetic frowns, I chance another glance at the door, my heart leaping when I catch movement. Unfortunately, it’s only Dr. Goddard and his wife, followed by three blond children walking in perfect unison. Though adorable, they’re stuffed into uncomfortable-looking Christmas outfits that coordinate perfectly with Dr. Goddard’s suit and his wife’s dress. The whole effect is a little ridiculous.
“So how has it been working with Dr. Russell?” Megan asks, aiming a conspiratorial smile at Erika before continuing, “I’ll be honest, we didn’t think you’d last this long.”
Surely there’s something better to talk about. Maybe I should have launched into that discussion about Cooper after all. It’s better than having to look them in the eye and make up some phony reply about how, Actually, it’s not so bad guys. Ha ha. Yup, I just had to tough it out for the first few weeks and now we’ve really hit our stride.
Truthfully, that no-good jerk of a surgeon has stolen my heart and he’s about to walk through the door of this restaurant any minute and I’m not ready to face him. That phone call last night left my nerves frayed.
“Do you hear that? It’s the sound of me tearing that ‘contract’ in two.”
Ha! Well too bad, buddy, because I made copies!
I can still hear the determination in his voice. He really thinks I’m just going to throw caution to the wind and give in to this…this lust that’s been building inside me for the last few weeks.
I’m considering all of this, of course, as he arrives. One minute, the doorway is empty, and the next, Matt is striding through with all the confidence of a king. My entire body stiffens as I take him in from head to toe. He’s impossible to miss in a tailored black suit. No tie. His tan complexion stands out against his crisp white shirt. His slightly curly hair is inky black and thick. Heads turn in his direction, conversation halts around him. It’s as if God himself is making a debut at the party.
Before June’s surgery, his reputation was already larger than life. Now, it’s completely out of control. Surgeons from every floor of the hospital rush over to greet him and shake his hand. They clap him on the shoulder and act as if they’re the best of friends.
He smiles slightly and makes a good show of greeting everyone, but his eyes scan the room looking for…me.
HE’S LOOKING FOR ME.
I panic and turn back to the group, suddenly 100% positive I need to get the hell out of here.
I shouldn’t have come tonight.
My nerves are shot.
He’s a dream in that black suit, and Josie talked me into wearing this silky, short dress that seemed daring and sophisticated back at home but now just seems downright inappropriate. I look around for a jacket and home in on Erika’s date. He’s a big guy, wide around the middle—his jacket would cover me and then some.
“Hey, bud.” I say bud because I was distracted while he was introducing himself. “Could I borrow that jacket?”
He crosses his arms protectively over his chest and then replies weakly, “I’m actually kind of chilly.”
What kind of men are we raising in this country?!
I have half a mind to just rip it off him, but I don’t want to cause a scene. In fact, I want to do the exact opposite. I want to slink out of this party without Matt noticing me and run all the way home.
On a whim, I grab a flute of champagne from a passing waiter, down it in one long sip, and then hand it back. The group stares at me as I wipe the back of my hand across my mouth.
The waiter is deeply impressed with my abilities. “Um, would you like another glass, ma’am?”
I want every flute on his tray, but that won’t solve my problem. I shake my head and thank him before addressing the group.
“Listen, guys, I’m not feeling well all of a sudden—”
“Probably because you just shot-gunned champagne like you were at a frat party,” Erika cuts in, deeply suspicious of my weird behavior.
I wave away her insane suggestion. “No. I was feeling bad before that.”
I tug my hand through my hair and resist a groan. It feels like she’s being a tease, pushing me away at the same time she’s reeling me in, but Bailey isn’t like that. She’s genuinely being nice, inviting me to the party because she wants me there. Simple as that.
“I’ll think about it,” I promise, swallowing my anger. “Are you bringing a date?”
“No,” she answers quickly. “Wait, are you?”
I laugh and decide on a whim that I’m tired of pretending. She asked the question, she’s going to get the truth. “No, I’m not bringing a date. The only woman I want to ask had me sign a Word doc instructing me to stay away from her.”
I know I should keep pretending I don’t want her, that arm’s length is my preferred proximity, but I can’t. Every day I’m forced to work alongside her and every day she digs a little more under my skin, carving into me so deep I couldn’t get rid of her if I tried.
“Are you referring to our legally binding contract?” she teases.
I don’t laugh. In fact, I nearly growl. “I’m done, Bailey. I’m not abiding by that stupid list of demands anymore. Do you hear that? It’s the sound of me tearing that ‘contract’ in two.”
She stays silent, no doubt contemplating the weight of my words.
I smirk as I continue, “I’ll come to that party tomorrow night. In fact, I’m looking forward to it now. Don’t forget my gift.”
Chapter 25
BAILEY
It’s snowing outside. Big, fat flakes drop from the sky and accumulate on the ground, turning the parking lot into a winter wonderland. It’s fitting considering the interior of the restaurant NEMC rented out has been transformed to match. The party planners spared no expense. There are little Christmas vignettes in every corner of the room, fake deer and Christmas trees and those big, wrapped presents with nothing inside of them. There’s enough food and drink to fill us all ten times over. The heads of the hospital might have protested about spending money on June’s surgery, but they apparently have no qualms about dishing out big bucks for an event like this.
I shake away the thought and try to get into a more festive mood. There are only a few more days until Christmas! I have paid time off for the next ten days! SANTA IS COMING!
It’s no use though. There’s no room for cheer when I’m on high alert, scanning the room every few minutes on the off chance Matt arrived while I wasn’t looking. The event is even more crowded than Dr. Lopez’s retirement party. Every surgeon in the entire hospital is here with his or her family. Kids run around, high on sugar and the fact that they don’t have school in the morning. I’m standing in a group with Megan and Erika and their dates. I don’t have a date. Well, I have Josie. I glance over and find her exactly where I left her: sitting at a table by herself, reading a book and double-fisting bacon-wrapped shrimp. I watch as a cute boy her age—Dr. Richard’s son, if I’m not mistaken—walks over to try to engage her in conversation and she waves him away, not bothering to look up from her book. For my sake, I’m glad she’s currently choosing Harry Potter over boys. I’m not quite ready to play the role of angry, shotgun-toting father.
“No date tonight, Bailey?” Erika asks.
How dare she call me out in front of the whole group?!
For all she knows, I’m actually a loveless loser and not just pining after my angry, hot boss.
“Nope,” I reply, affecting a casual tone. “Just my sister.”
They glance over in time to see her steal yet another bacon-wrapped shrimp off a passing tray. Boy are we related or what?
“What about that blond guy from Smooth Tony’s?” Megan asks, tilting her head. “He was cute and he seemed into you. Did anything happen with that?”
Ha. Cooper. Boy are they behind. I’d need a million years to catch them up so I just shake my head and pretend I’m disappointed when I reply, “Nah, didn’t really pan out. He wasn’t ready for a relationship.”
It’s as good a lie as any and as they throw me sympathetic frowns, I chance another glance at the door, my heart leaping when I catch movement. Unfortunately, it’s only Dr. Goddard and his wife, followed by three blond children walking in perfect unison. Though adorable, they’re stuffed into uncomfortable-looking Christmas outfits that coordinate perfectly with Dr. Goddard’s suit and his wife’s dress. The whole effect is a little ridiculous.
“So how has it been working with Dr. Russell?” Megan asks, aiming a conspiratorial smile at Erika before continuing, “I’ll be honest, we didn’t think you’d last this long.”
Surely there’s something better to talk about. Maybe I should have launched into that discussion about Cooper after all. It’s better than having to look them in the eye and make up some phony reply about how, Actually, it’s not so bad guys. Ha ha. Yup, I just had to tough it out for the first few weeks and now we’ve really hit our stride.
Truthfully, that no-good jerk of a surgeon has stolen my heart and he’s about to walk through the door of this restaurant any minute and I’m not ready to face him. That phone call last night left my nerves frayed.
“Do you hear that? It’s the sound of me tearing that ‘contract’ in two.”
Ha! Well too bad, buddy, because I made copies!
I can still hear the determination in his voice. He really thinks I’m just going to throw caution to the wind and give in to this…this lust that’s been building inside me for the last few weeks.
I’m considering all of this, of course, as he arrives. One minute, the doorway is empty, and the next, Matt is striding through with all the confidence of a king. My entire body stiffens as I take him in from head to toe. He’s impossible to miss in a tailored black suit. No tie. His tan complexion stands out against his crisp white shirt. His slightly curly hair is inky black and thick. Heads turn in his direction, conversation halts around him. It’s as if God himself is making a debut at the party.
Before June’s surgery, his reputation was already larger than life. Now, it’s completely out of control. Surgeons from every floor of the hospital rush over to greet him and shake his hand. They clap him on the shoulder and act as if they’re the best of friends.
He smiles slightly and makes a good show of greeting everyone, but his eyes scan the room looking for…me.
HE’S LOOKING FOR ME.
I panic and turn back to the group, suddenly 100% positive I need to get the hell out of here.
I shouldn’t have come tonight.
My nerves are shot.
He’s a dream in that black suit, and Josie talked me into wearing this silky, short dress that seemed daring and sophisticated back at home but now just seems downright inappropriate. I look around for a jacket and home in on Erika’s date. He’s a big guy, wide around the middle—his jacket would cover me and then some.
“Hey, bud.” I say bud because I was distracted while he was introducing himself. “Could I borrow that jacket?”
He crosses his arms protectively over his chest and then replies weakly, “I’m actually kind of chilly.”
What kind of men are we raising in this country?!
I have half a mind to just rip it off him, but I don’t want to cause a scene. In fact, I want to do the exact opposite. I want to slink out of this party without Matt noticing me and run all the way home.
On a whim, I grab a flute of champagne from a passing waiter, down it in one long sip, and then hand it back. The group stares at me as I wipe the back of my hand across my mouth.
The waiter is deeply impressed with my abilities. “Um, would you like another glass, ma’am?”
I want every flute on his tray, but that won’t solve my problem. I shake my head and thank him before addressing the group.
“Listen, guys, I’m not feeling well all of a sudden—”
“Probably because you just shot-gunned champagne like you were at a frat party,” Erika cuts in, deeply suspicious of my weird behavior.
I wave away her insane suggestion. “No. I was feeling bad before that.”
