Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Jamieson
Did I do the right thing by asking her to dinner?
Of course, I did. She didn’t know anyone here, and I’d already had sex with her, and I wanted it again.
If she were that easy to get to my hotel room back in New York, she’d be even easier now.
I believed her when she told me she wasn’t interested in relationships.
It was the way she said it. The firmness in her tone.
She actually seemed a little cold, except when it came to her patients.
She said getting into a relationship wasn’t a part of her new life.
It made me wonder what and who she was running from. With any luck, I’d find out tonight.
“Mr. Bind,” I spoke as I walked into my office. “I apologize for the delay, and I thank you for your patience, but I had to operate on a two-year-old from the ER.”
“Gee, Dr. Finn. I hope the kid is okay.”
I gave him a small smile as I pulled up his scans on the computer screens that hung on my wall.
“Your MRI shows that you have an ependymoma tumor located on your spine.”
“I have spinal cancer?” he asked as his wife grabbed his hand.
“I’m going to need to do a needle biopsy, remove a small piece of the tissue, and send it to our pathology lab to confirm. But in most of these cases, they are benign.”
“So, is that why I’ve been having back pain and the other symptoms?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Even the loss of bladder control?”
“Yes.” I lightly smiled.
“Thank God. Now what?”
“I’ll need to go in and remove it. The good news is that where it’s located on the spine, I’m positive I will be able to remove the entire tumor.
Once I do, you’ll recover and be good to go to live your life.
If I can’t remove the entire tumor for some unknown reason, then you’ll most likely have to undergo radiation to destroy the rest of it. ”
“What are my chances you can remove the entire thing?” he asked.
“I’d say ninety-eight percent.” I smiled.
He exhaled a deep breath.
“Thank you, Dr. Finn.”
“Don’t thank me yet. I want to admit you, run some bloodwork, do the needle biopsy, and send it to the lab. Come tomorrow, I’ll go in and remove the tumor. Sound like a plan?”
“Yeah. Sure. I’ll do anything at this point to alleviate this pain.”
“Good. I’ll send my nurse in, and she’ll take care of everything. Once your bloodwork comes back, we’ll set you up for the biopsy. So, I’ll see you in a while.” I patted his shoulder.
I walked out to the nurses’ desk and stood in front of Claire while she typed away at her computer.
“Yes, Dr. Finn?” She glanced up at me.
“Let’s get a Basic Metabolic Panel, CBC with Diff, and a Type and Screen on Mr. Jeffery Bind, STAT. I’ll need you to get him admitted and prepped for a needle biopsy of a tumor on his spine.” I glanced at my watch. “I have dinner plans at eight, so let’s get moving.”
“Of course, Dr. Finn.”
“And who may I ask do you have dinner plans with at eight o’clock?” Renata asked as she walked up to me.
“Are you spying on me?” I smirked.
“No. I’m up here to talk to a patient, and I couldn’t help but overhear.”
“To answer your question. I have dinner plans with a colleague.”
“That colleague better not be Dr. Harper.” Her brow raised before she walked away.
I sighed as I looked over at Claire, who was snickering.
“Labs, now!” I commanded as I walked away.
Mr. Bind’s biopsy was done and sent down to the lab. Looking at my watch, I saw it was seven forty-five. I quickly changed out of my scrub. After changing into my clothes, I headed down to the ER. When I walked into the doctor’s lounge, Grace had just grabbed her purse and shut her locker.
“You’re on time.” She smiled. “And it’s a good thing because I’m starving. Where are we going?”
I let out a chuckle. “There’s this great restaurant not too far from here called Rosie’s. The owner is a friend of mine, and I got us a reservation for eight thirty.”
“Sounds good. Let’s go.” She grinned as she placed her purse over her shoulder.
We walked out to my car, a black convertible Porsche 911, and climbed inside.
“Nice car.” Grace smiled. “Very California doctor-ish.”
“Thanks. I like it. Are you looking at cars? I have a friend who owns a dealership.”
“Already bought one. Picked it up yesterday right when I landed.”
“You’re very organized.” I smirked as I glanced over at her. “What did you buy?”
“A white Volkswagen Beetle convertible.”
I couldn’t help but let out a light laugh.
“What’s so funny?” she asked.
“I can totally see you driving one of those. And by the way, it’s so very California, not doctor-ish.”
“I always wanted one, but living in New York, I didn’t need a car because I rarely drove. I walked, took a taxi, or rode the subway. I’m cool. What can I say?” She smirked.
I pulled up to the valet and climbed out of the car.
“Nice to see you again, Dr. Finn.”
“Thanks, Carl. Take care of her.” I threw him the keys.
We stepped inside the restaurant and were immediately seated in a quiet booth in the corner, just as I requested.
“Compliments of Mr. Pines.” The waitress smiled as she brought us a bottle of Cabernet and poured some into our glasses.
“Thank you, Kiera.” I smiled.
“It’s good to see you again, Dr. Finn. I’ll give you two some time to look over the menu.”
“Aren’t you quite a popular little cookie.” Grace smirked. “I take it you dine here often?”
“I do.” I picked up my glass and held it up. “Welcome to Los Angeles, Dr. Harper. I hope the city and your job meet your expectations.”
“Thank you, Dr. Finn.” She smiled as she brought her glass to mine.