Chapter 52
THEO
“What’s wrong?” Verna asked.
I froze, patted my stethoscope around my neck automatically. Looked around. “Nothing. Why?”
“You’re smiling,” she said, her voice laced with suspicion.
I laughed.
“Now you’re laughing.” She stood from her seat at her desk and came around the counter. She held an instant read thermometer.
I held up my hands to ward her off, forcing the smile from my face. “I’m fine.”
“You were gone for a day and a half and now you’re… happy.”
I wasn’t sure about that. “No one’s died this week.”
“That’s what makes you happy?” she asked, clearly concerned.
I frowned. “Aren’t you glad no one’s died?”
She shrugged. “Sure, but it’s not something I take time to consider. I mean, it’s really low on my list.”
“It’s high on a trauma surgeon’s list,” I replied. “Can’t mess with the quota.”
She frowned, set her hands on her hips and slowly shook his head. “And he’s back.”
I frowned in return.
“Jeff took your patients yesterday so you’re not double booked. However, you’ve got a patient in room one and Mrs. Krase is up next, so be prepared.”
I nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Oh, Mac called about lunch again today. It seems he’s smitten with you. I told him you can’t because of patient appointments but you’re free at four for happy hour.”
“I appreciate you scheduling my social life.”
“Your calendar shows you booked every day at six, so I figure four would work.”
I looked down at the industrial carpet and adjusted the stethoscope and tried not to smile. I wasn’t planning on telling her what happened every day at sex o’clock.