Chapter 10
CHAPTER 10
G raham
After finishing my surgical consults with Dr. Ashley, I went to the rooftop for a coffee. Stepping out of the elevator, I saw Ella standing in line.
“Morning.”
She turned, and our eyes locked.
“Morning.” She brightly smiled. “How’s it going so far?”
“It’s going great. I have some time before I have to return to the peds unit. Do you want to sit with me?”
She glanced at her watch. “I have thirty minutes before my next surgery.” She grinned.
We ordered our coffees, took them to a table, and sat down.
“I’ve been meaning to ask you. What was with that patient kicking you out of the room in the ER yesterday? It sounded like it was personal.”
She tipped the cup to her lips. “He’s my ex.”
“That douchebag?” My brow arched.
“Yeah. I caught him in the on-call room having sex with one of the nurses.”
“Gee, Ella. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. He’s an asshole.”
“How long were the two of you dating?”
“Six months. My family didn’t like him at all. My Uncle Christian fired him and Penelope after I told him what had happened.”
“Good. They both deserved it.” A smirk crossed my lips. “Mental note. Do not piss off a Kind.”
Ella chuckled.
“Listen. I don’t know if you have plans tonight, but I get off at seven. Maybe we could go grab a bite to eat.”
“I’d like that.” A beautiful smile crossed her face. “My cousin owns a great restaurant in Venice called Four Kinds.”
“Sounds great. I can pick you up.”
“That’s okay. I’ll meet you there. Say seven-thirty?”
“Seven thirty it is. I’m afraid you’ll have to give me your phone number.” I smirked. “Being a doctor and all, you never know what will pop up last minute.”
“Oh, don’t I know it. Hand me your phone.” She placed her palm face up.
Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out my phone and handed it to her. She entered her number and handed it back to me. I quickly sent her a text with the smiley face emoji.
“Now, you have my number, too, in case something comes up. I better get back to the peds unit. I’m looking forward to dinner.”
“Me too.” She smiled.
I let out a breath and stepped into the elevator. I was happy she agreed to have dinner with me. She was really the only person I knew. I had friends I’d made here before I was swept up and moved back to New York when I was thirteen, but I never kept in contact with any of them.
“Hey, Dr. Malone.” Chrissy, one of the peds nurses, flirted. “I know you’re new to California, and I thought you might want to get a drink after work. I know this great bar not too far from here.”
“Ah, as much as I’d love to, Chrissy. I have plans tonight. Maybe another time,” I said with a light smile as I walked away.
I was finally finished with my last patient. Glancing at my watch, it was already seven twenty. Thank God I kept extra clothes in my locker. I’d learn that the hard way. Pulling up Ella’s number, I texted her.
“Hi. I got tied up with a patient. I have to change, and then I’ll head out. I probably won’t get to the restaurant for another thirty minutes.”
“That’s okay. The life of a doctor, right?”
“Right. I’ll see you soon.”
“When you walk into the restaurant, make a right. I’ll be sitting up at the bar.”
“I’ll see you soon, Ella.”
When I stepped out of the locker room, Dr. Ashley stood there against the wall.
“Dr. Ashley.”
“Before you leave, I just wanted to tell you how impressed I was today with your surgical skills. I already know this is going to be a great partnership.” She smiled.
“Thank you, Dr. Ashley. I appreciate it.”
“Damn, Dr. Malone. You smell good. Hot date tonight?” A smirk crossed her lips.
“No.” I smiled. “Just meeting a friend for dinner.”
“Go and enjoy. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I climbed into my car and punched the address to Four Kinds into the GPS. When I stepped through the restaurant’s door, I looked to my right and saw Ella sitting at the bar.
“Hi. Sorry, I’m so late.” I smiled.
“Never apologize for putting patients first.” She grinned.
“Ella, sweetheart.” A man stepped behind the bar.
“Sebastian, I’d like you to meet Dr. Graham Malone. Graham, this is my cousin Sebastian, owner of Four Kinds.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Dr. Malone.” He extended his hand.
“Please, call me Graham. It’s nice to meet you as well. You have a great place here.”
“Thanks. Are you two dining in?” he asked.
“We are.” Ella smiled at him.
“Graham, what can I get you to drink?”
“I’ll have a scotch, no ice.”
A smile crossed Sebastian’s lips. “One scotch coming right up.”
He poured me a glass and took us to a table.
S ebastian
After seating Ella and Graham, I went to the kitchen, pulled out my phone, and sent a group text to Nathan, Jackson, Christian, Conner, and Grayson.
“What do you guys know about a Dr. Graham Malone?”
“He’s the new peds surgical fellowship resident at the hospital. Why?” Christian asked.
“I’ve met him. He seems like a nice guy.” Conner texted back.
“I met him yesterday. Seems nice,” Grayson said.
“Haven’t met him. Why are you asking?” Nathan said.
“Ella is having dinner with him at Four Kinds.”
“I see our little genius is moving on,” Conner said.
“How old is this guy?” Nathan said.
“Thirty,” Christian responded.
“I may have a problem with that,” Nathan said.
“Chill, bro. Leave our girl alone,” Conner said.
“Sorry. I just got out of surgery and saw the texts. I haven’t met him yet,” Jackson said.
G raham
“Everything sounds delicious.” I smiled, looking over the menu.
“There isn’t a single thing on this menu that isn’t good,” Ella said.
After the server took our order, I picked up my scotch and tipped it to my lips as I stared at her from across the table.
“You look beautiful, Ella.”
“Thank you, Graham. So, why peds?” She smiled.
“Easy. I like kids.” I smiled. “But honestly, I want to improve their lives when something is wrong. They deserve to grow up healthy and live normal lives like everyone else in the world.”
A beautiful smile framed her face. “Your parents must be very proud.”
“My parents are deceased.”
“Oh. I’m so sorry.”
“Thank you. My mother died when I was six, and my father passed away when I was thirteen.”
“My mother passed away when I was six.”
“I’m sorry. Have you always lived here?”
“I lived in New York until I was six. After my mother’s death, I was sent here to live with my dad.”
“I’m still trying to wrap my head around that you’re twenty-two years old, have three Ph.Ds., and are a full-fledged doctor who’s completed residencies in all three areas.”
“In case you haven’t figured it out, I was born a genius. Science has always been my thing. I love the brain, the heart, and trauma.”