Doctor's Surprise Twins (The Doctor Is In)

1. Ally

1

ALLY

“ O ne twenty-seven,” Val says, looking up at me.

I nod and write the number on the line before clutching the clipboard to my chest.

“I hate doing inventory checks, but the hospital really buckled down this year when our supplies kept coming back off count. Now it’s a monthly thing,” she says, rolling her green eyes.

“Do they think supplies are being wasted?”

“No, I think they know that the stuff is being used the way it’s intended. It’s just that people get swept up in emergencies and forget to log what’s been used. That or they just forget from being tired and overworked. They’re trying to bring in more staff so we don’t have to work so many hours, but it’s been tough lately. Every batch of new nurses we get ends up quitting.”

“Why do you think that is?” I ask, curious. One of the perks of working in healthcare is that you can get a job anywhere in the world, but one of its biggest downfalls is that the field is oversaturated, and everyone is expendable.

She shrugs, causing her blonde braid to fall to the center of her back. “Who knows. They probably realize that being a nurse is hard work, and for the most part, it’s not something you choose. It chooses you.”

I smile at her explanation because that’s how I’ve always thought of it, too.

I was born to be a nurse. It’s something I’ve known I would do since I was a little kid. While most kids ran around playing doctor, I was always the nurse. Taking care of people is in my blood.

She returns to counting the next row of supplies so neither of us talks for a bit. When she’s finished with the row, she says, “One-fifty-six.”

I nod and jot down the number on the next line.

“This is one of those jobs where every day is the same, but it’s also different. Does that make sense?” She looks up at me. “It’s like you come in every day, and even though the patients are different, and the ailments are different, you’re still always doing basically the same things.”

“I get that,” I agree. “So, why did you want to work in pediatrics?”

She looks up at me with a smile that lights up her face. “I love kids. Why else?”

I giggle.

“What about you?”

“Same,” I reply. “Kids are just better than adults. They haven’t had time to become negative, bitter, or jaded. Kids are so pure and innocent that even when the universe hands them a difficult life, they still smile and make the best of it. If adults could keep that positivity and hopefulness, the world would be a much better place.”

“You can say that again.” She moves to the next row, counting the boxes of facial masks. “Forty-three.”

I write down the number. “We’re off on that one. This says there should be sixty-four.”

She rolls her eyes. “Oh boy. Pretty soon, they’re going to have us doing this at the end of every shift.”

My eyes widen. “Can you imagine?”

She snorts. “No way. They’d have to hire someone to do nothing but inventory.”

“It would probably be cheaper than hiring another nurse,” I joke, and she laughs.

“I like you. We don’t have many people in the healthcare industry with a sense of humor. Where’d you grow up?”

“Here in Chicago,” I tell her. “Born and raised.”

“And why the medical field?”

I use the nail on my middle finger to pick at the skin around my thumbnail. “I don’t know. I’ve always just felt like it’s what I was born to do.”

“That’s a good answer. I once asked that question to an extern like you. You’ll never believe what she said.”

“What?”

“She said, and I quote: ‘My dad says I have to get a job or he’s going to cut me out of his will. This was the only thing I could come up with.’ End quote,” she says, giggling.

I roll my eyes. “Oh my. How long did she last?”

She purses her lips as she looks up at me. “Longer than you’d think. She finished her externship and then was hired. She worked here for three years before she took a position in another city.”

“Wow. I’m surprised she didn’t quit after the first week.”

“Apparently her dad was some bigwig in the oil industry. She wanted to stay in his will.” She laughs and goes back to counting. A little while later, she says, “Ninety-six.”

“So, is there anyone around here I need to look out for or stay out of their way?”

Val has to drop down a shelf, so she plops down on the floor, crossing her legs beneath her.

“We’re all friendly for the most part. Cassy can be a little jealous if you have something she wants. That includes nights and weekends off, promotions, or even praise from a higher-up. She’ll be the first one to throw you under the bus if she feels like it can get her something. Watch yourself around her.”

I nod. “Got it.”

“I try to stay out of Dr. Cole’s way, too. He’s not vindictive like Cass, but he will mow you over if he’s had a bad day and you get in his way.”

“Is he the older one with the dark hair who was out in the hallway earlier?” I use the end of my pen to point toward the hallway.

“The good-looking one who’s starting to go gray around the temples? Yes.” She grins and nods. “I would’ve introduced you then, but he was too busy yelling at Taylor like she can predict the future.” She snorts and laughs before returning to her count.

The good-looking one plays over and over in my head.

While that’s not the way I would describe him, that doesn’t mean I disagree. He’s rather good-looking for a much older man.

If it wasn’t for the fine lines at the corners of his eyes and the gray hair around his temples, I’d never have thought he was that much older than me.

My mind paints an image of him from the hallway this morning. He was standing at the nurses’ station, looking good in black joggers, running shoes, and a white lab coat. His skin is tan like he spends hours in the sun, and his hair is dark. His hair is short at the back and sides, and longer up top. It has a slight curl and it’s just long enough to run your fingers through. His jaw is square, and his brows were furrowed as he glared at the nurse in front of him.

I was just walking into a patient’s room when he turned away from the desk, giving me a quick shot of his fitted blue T-shirt and broad chest.

He’s not what I’d consider an old man. He takes care of himself and puts an effort into his appearance, but he isn’t the stuffy type who will only work in a suit and tie.

“Hello? Earth to Ally. Did you hear me?”

“Sorry, what?” I snap out of my thoughts and look down at her.

She smirks. “I said a hundred-and-two.” Her brows arch as she looks up at me.

I nod. “Got it.” I write the number on the line, hoping that she only gave me the one number. I haven’t been thinking about this strange man for that long, have I?

“You’re blushing,” she says, grinning.

“I am not,” I argue, but I can feel how hot my face has become.

“You sooooo are.” She stands up and puts one hand on her jutted-out hip. “You think Dr. Cole is a hottie,” she teases.

In the same instant, the door to the storage closet opens and Dr. Hottie himself steps into the room and turns to look at us.

Val doesn’t see who’s entered yet, so she’s moved on to making kissy noises.

“Dr. Hottie—I mean, Dr. Cole,” I correct, forcing out the words to greet him so Val understands he’s present.

She immediately stops making the noises and turns to look at him. My face is burning hotter than ever because he heard everything.

“Oh, Dr. Cole. This is Ally, one of our new externs.” Val takes a step toward him with her right foot, but then she pivots so she’s facing me.

I force a tight smile as I raise my right hand and wave. “It’s nice to officially meet you, sir.”

He frowns as he looks over at me. “It’s a pleasure.” His voice is thick, deep, and emotionless. He steps to the right, putting a little space between him and Val. He turns to the far shelf and riffles around. “I trust you’ve given our new nurse here my number in case of an emergency?”

“Oh.” Val tucks her hands behind her back and stands a little taller. “I haven’t yet, but I will.”

“Be sure that you do. That goes for all new nurses, externs, and interns. Understand?” He glances over his shoulder and catches my gaze. The moment our eyes lock, his move down my body like he’s drinking me in.

More than just my face is burning now. A pool of liquid-fire forms in the pit of my stomach.

I couldn’t tell earlier, but now that we’re face to face, I notice that his eyes are an icy blue that cuts right through you. The lightness of his eyes is a dramatic contrast next to his hair and skin. With high cheekbones, a narrow nose, and plump, curvy lips, he’s almost godlike.

“I understand.” Val cuts through the intensity in the room. Am I the only one who can feel it? “Ally was born and raised here in the city, Dr. Cole. She’s enrolled at Chicago U. You gave a speech there last year for the graduating seniors, right?”

“That’s correct, I did,” he replies, grabbing a box of latex gloves. He turns to face us now. “It’s a great school that offers good programs. How do you like it?”

I feel put on the spot, even though this is just small talk, and I’m a well-educated woman. I should be able to do this. I swallow over the lump in my throat. “I love it. I’ve had nothing but great experiences.”

“Good to hear. Tell Professor Atkins that I look forward to catching up with him once he gets back from his trip to Rome.”

“I’ll do that. He leaves in a few days, and he’s already training his sub.” I smile. “I already can’t wait for him to get back.” He chuckles, and the deep sound sinks into my belly and causes a tingling.

“I’ve never met a person who didn’t love him and his class.” He steps toward the door. “I should get back to work. I hope you both enjoy your day.”

Val’s brows are arched high, and her eyes are wide as she looks at me with a grin.

“What? Was I awkward? Did I say something weird?”

She laughs as she walks over to me. “No! He loved you.”

I snort. “What? No, he didn’t. We had idle chit-chat. I’m sure he does that with everyone.”

“No, he doesn’t,” she argues.

I lean against the shelf as she drops back to continue her count. “What do you mean?”

“He doesn’t do small talk. For him to talk to you like that, he likes you. I’ve never seen him that friendly with anyone.”

I don’t want to give it much thought because if I do, I’ll overthink the whole situation. “Maybe we just caught him in a good mood. Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s just a one-off. He’ll be yelling at me like he was yelling at Taylor in no time at all.”

She laughs. “Yeah, you’re probably right,” she says.

She’s got me wondering, though, Does he like me? Did we have a connection? If we do, what does that mean?

A connection doesn’t have to be sexual, does it?

Maybe he just sees something in me, and maybe him taking to me so quickly is the universe telling me that I’m right where I need to be.

I’m already picturing a future of working here after I graduate, and Dr. Cole as my mentor. With him guiding me, I could climb the ladder, leading to promotions that could set me up for life.

All I really want is security and a life where I don’t have to worry about making rent every month.

“Eighty-nine.” Val pulls me from my thoughts.

I write the number and check my watch. “What do you say we break for lunch?”

She checks her watch. “Good idea. Meet you back here in an hour?”

I nod and set the clipboard and pen on the shelf with the supplies. “Let’s do it.”