Chapter 9
CHAPTER 9
G raham
I threw my keys on the island, opened the refrigerator, and grabbed a beer. I still couldn’t believe that Ella lived here and worked at Cedars. I’d thought about her all day. I asked around the hospital how old she was and couldn’t believe she was twenty-two. She was mature for her age—more mature than some of the women my age I’d dated. She was beautiful, and I felt instantly attracted to her when I saw her standing in front of the cooler at the hospital back in New York. But even more so when I ran into her in Central Park.
She lied to me about who she was for a reason. She told me it was complicated. Glass houses. People lie out of fear—fear of being judged. For the last seventeen years of my life, I’d been living a lie. My phone rang. Pulling it from my pocket, it was my Aunt Dorinda.
“Hey, Aunt Dorinda.”
“Hello, Graham. How are you doing?”
“I’m okay. I started at Cedars today.”
“And? How did it go?”
“It went good. It was a long day.”
“I know being back there must be hard for you. I wish you had chosen another place besides Los Angeles for your fellowship.”
“You know why I chose Cedars. Aunt Dorinda, it’s been seventeen years. I’m fine.”
“Maybe you are, or you aren’t. You’ll never tell me the truth anyway. If you need me, call me, and I can be there in a flash.”
“Thanks, Aunt Dorinda, but I’m fine. These next two years will be insanely busy, and before you know it, I’ll be back in New York.”
“It better not be two years before I see you again. You do get time off, so I expect a visit. I have to get some sleep. I’ll talk to you soon, Graham.”
“Night, Aunt Dorinda.”
I stripped out of my clothes and climbed into bed. My eyes flew open at the gunshots that kept going off in my head. I was soaked with sweat. Sitting up, I placed my feet on the floor and cupped my face in my hands. Standing up, I went into the bathroom and splashed my face with cold water. Gripping the edge of the sink, I stared at the scar on my abdomen from the accident that changed my life.
The following morning, I woke up early and went for a run before I had to go to the hospital. A morning run always cleared my head and set the day for me. It kept me grounded in the way I needed to be, especially being back here. After showering, I grabbed my bag and drove to Cedars. Standing in line at the coffee bar in the lobby, I heard a voice behind me.
“The rooftop has better coffee for the employees.”
Turning around, I saw Ella standing there with a smile.
“The rooftop?”
“Oh my God. Don’t tell me my Uncle Christian didn’t tell you about that.”
“He didn’t.” I chuckled.
“Then come with me, and I’ll show you. By the way. Good morning.”
“Good morning.” I smiled.
We entered the elevator and took it up to the rooftop.
“This is where all the doctors and nurses come. Not only is there coffee, but they have sandwiches too if you’re super busy and don’t have time to get to the cafeteria.”
“It’s nice up here,” I said as we stood in line.
We ordered our coffees, and I glanced at my watch. I had fifteen minutes before my shift started.
“Did you just get here?” I asked her.
“No. I’ve been here a couple of hours. I wanted to check on Mr. Connolly.” She tipped the cup to her lips.
“How is he?”
“He’s stable and hanging in there.” A beautiful smile crossed her lips. “What’s on the agenda for Dr. Malone today?”
“Since Dr. Ashley won’t be back until tomorrow, I’ll be doing rounds with Dr. Therese on the peds unit and helping out in the ER. I guess they’re down a couple of doctors.”
“Maybe I’ll see you down there.” She grinned. “I have to run. I have surgery in ten minutes.”
“Good luck. What type of surgery?”
“Craniotomy.”
“Sounds fun. Thanks for bringing me up here.”
“You’re welcome.” She smiled and walked to the elevator.
She was beautiful in ways I never noticed in other women. Her smile was infectious and one that could light up the darkest of rooms.
E lla
After my surgery, I got a page from Karla. Walking down to the ER, I stopped at the nurses’ station.
“You paged?” I smiled.
“There’s a patient in room four.” She handed me his chart. “He was brought in late last night.”
I looked at it and then up at her.
“I thought you’d want to know.” A smirk crossed her lips. “Couldn’t have happened to a better guy.”
“Karla.” I cocked my head.
“I know, Ella. I shouldn’t have said that, but come on. Deep inside, you’re loving it.”
I sighed and walked over to room four. Pulling the curtain, I stared at Landon, who lay there, his face covered in bruises, fat lip, and stitches in his forehead. He was kept overnight to be monitored for a concussion.
“What happened to you?”
“I got jumped last night outside my apartment building.”
“Did the police catch the person who did it?” My brows furrowed.
“No. It was a woman. A strong woman. And the weird thing is she didn’t even rob me.”
Shit. Shit. Shit.
“Did you get a good look at her?”
“No. She was all in black with a mask over her face.”
“Did she say anything to you?”
“Not a word. That fucking bitch. What woman goes around jumping guys?”
“I’m surprised Penelope isn’t here by your side.”
“Why would you say that? Jesus Christ, Ella. It was one time. I’m not dating her. Your uncle really fucked me over. I can’t get a resident position anywhere in Los Angeles.”
“You broke hospital policy, Landon. Your fault. Don’t blame my uncle.”
“And you didn’t have to tell him what happened either. So it’s your fucking fault!”
“Hey, what’s going on in here?” Graham walked in.
“Who the hell are you?”
“Dr. Malone. I was sent in here to check your vitals and discharge you.”
“Then get to it. I want to get out of this fucking place. Ella, go. Get the fuck out and stay out of my life.”
“Gladly.” I left the room. “Fucking asshole.”
Karla looked at me and placed her hand on my arm.
“What the hell did I ever see in that man?” I asked her.
“To be honest, Ella. I have no idea.”
“What was that all about in there?” Graham walked over.
“Nothing,” I said and walked away.
After leaving the hospital, I stopped at Ava’s house.
“Hey, Ella.” Ava and Grayson’s daughter, Camille, smiled when I stepped through the sliding door.
“Hi, Camille. Is your mom around?”
“Yeah. She’s upstairs. Primrose is coming over, and we’re going swimming. Want to join us?”
“Thanks. I’ll take a rain check.” I smiled.
Walking up the stairs, I entered Ava’s bedroom, where she was putting away laundry.
“Hey, you.” She smiled and suddenly closed her eyes. “I know why you’re here.”
“What did you do, Kate? You promised.”
“I couldn’t help it. He hurt you, and I wasn’t about to let him get away with it. Besides, I didn’t hurt him too badly. I restrained myself.”
“He was brought to the emergency room last night for stitches and to be monitored for a concussion.”
“He’s lucky that’s all I did to him.”
“Does Ava know?”
“No. And I know I can trust you not to tell.”
“I won’t. But promise me you won’t do it again.”
“You have my word.” She closed her eyes. “What brings you by?” Ava smiled.
“I just dropped over to say hi. I’m waiting for Lily to text me to come over.”
“Ah.” She grinned. “I can’t wait to meet the French man. I know they got in really late last night. Alex went over this morning and met him after Stefan left for work. She said he seems like a great guy, and he’s oh so handsome.”
My phone pinged. Glancing at it, I saw a text from Lily.
“Are you home? If you are, come on over. I’m dying for you to meet Adrien.”
“I’m at Ava’s. I’ll walk over now.”
That was Lily. I have to run.” I hugged her. “I’ll talk to you later.”
“Bye, sweetheart.”
I walked down to Lily’s and stepped through the sliding door. A handsome man about six feet tall, with gorgeous dark hair and green eyes, turned and looked at me.
“You must be Dr. Ella Kind.” He smiled, walking over and kissing both my cheeks.
“And you must be Adrien. It’s great to finally meet you.”
“The honor is mine. Lily has told me all about you. She’ll be right down. I hear you’re an amazing artist.”
“I heard the same about you.” A smile crossed my lips.
“I’d love to see your paintings sometime. And once I open my gallery, you shall have a wall all to yourself.”
“Well, you’ll have to see my paintings first.”
“Ah!” Lily ran down the stairs and hugged me.
“I’m so happy you’re home. I’ve missed you.” I hugged her tightly. “Look at you. You’re glowing.”
“Of course I am. I have this amazing man here with me.” She hooked her arm around Adrien.
“I’ll let you two catch up. I want to go down to the beach for a while.”
“NO!” Both Lily and I shouted at the same time.
“Let’s not do that yet,” Lily said.
“Why not?” he asked, cocking his head.
“Remember I told you this is Kind Beach, and my family lives on it. I don’t need any of them grilling you yet.”
“Should I be scared?” he asked.
“YES!” We both said.
“Listen, Adrien.” I hooked my arm around his. “Our family is very protective. It’s best that Lily is with you when you meet them.”
The sliding door opened, and Stefan walked in.
“Shit,” Lily whispered. “Dad!” She ran and hugged him.
“Hi, baby girl. I missed you so much.”
“I missed you too. Uh, Dad, this is Adrien. Adrien, I’d like you to meet my father, Stefan Kind.”
“It’s an honor, Mr. Kind.” Adrien extended his hand.
Stefan assessed him, and I lightly tapped his back.
“It’s nice to meet you, Adrien.” He shook his hand.
“Dad, does Mom know you’re here?” Lily asked.
“No. She’s working. So, Adrien. You moved from your home in Paris to Los Angeles to be with my daughter?”
“Yes. I love your daughter very much, Mr. Kind.”
“You can call him Stefan, Adrien,” Lily said.
“You two barely know each other,” he said.
“When you know, you know. Come on, Stefan.” I hooked my arm around his and led him to the sliding door.
Opening it, we stepped onto the patio.
“Come on, Stefan. Don’t scare the poor guy. Him moving here and leaving his home means something.”
“I don’t trust him.” His eyes narrowed at me. “He’s using her for something.”
I rolled my eyes and sighed. “Stop. Go home, pour a scotch, and you can get to know him better this weekend when we all get together for a barbecue.”
“What barbecue?”
“The one you’re hosting to welcome your daughter home.” I cocked my head.
“Ella.”
“Stefan.” I raised my brows. “Go on. Leave them alone.”
“Fine.” He turned and walked back to his house.
“Thanks, cousin.” Lily smiled. “Adrien, why don’t you go upstairs and finish unpacking all of your suitcases? I cleared one side of the closet and emptied a couple of dresser drawers.”
“Will do, darling.” He kissed her lips.
“Come sit.” She grabbed my hand and led me to the couch. “There’s something I have to tell you. I’m pregnant, Ella.”
“What!” My eyes widened.
“Yeah. I’m going to be a mom.” Tears filled her eyes.
“How far along are you?”
“I’m not sure. I think about six weeks. I called Georgia earlier and made an appointment.”
“Did you tell her you were pregnant?”
“I told her I suspected. I know she can’t tell anyone.”
“I’m so happy for you.” I leaned over and hugged her. “You’re happy, right?”
“I am.”
“And Adrien?” I asked.
“He’s over the moon. That’s one of the reasons he came back with me. He’s such a good man, Ella.”