Chapter Twenty-Four
Wren
“ G ood morning, Mr.—”
“Hey Doc, I told you Jay is good. None of this mister junk.”
I laughed at the first patient of my day as Genie rushed into the room, logging into the computer. She’d only arrived on the red-eye this morning, and I hoped she’d had a great weekend but now wasn’t the time to ask.
“Looks like you’re healing up nicely, Jay,” I said while looking over Genie’s shoulder at the chart. “Physical therapy says you’re gaining full movement.”
“Got me fixed up, Doc. Can I practice now?”
I laughed. “Aren’t you enjoying your time off?”
With an eyebrow raised, he said, “Not like you. Rumor is you got yourself a famous boyfriend.”
“Oh yeah?”
He smiled at me before winking. “I’d say your secret is safe with me, but guys said People magazine showed you stepping out on the town with Daniel Campbell.”
“He’s an old friend. We went to college together.”
“Yeah, yeah. That’s what they all say.”
“You know what, Jay? Get out of here. Go practice. Regina will take care of all your paperwork and I’ll talk to the team over at the stadium.” He hopped off the table and I held my breath, since he was heading out to play basketball.
“One more thing,” he said. “Tell Daniel I’d love to play over the summer.”
Another wink directed at me, and I told Jay I’d be sure to let Daniel know then slipped out.
Inside my office, I took a breath before heading to see my next patients. I was an accomplished surgeon, and yet inside I was a woman with feelings—confusion, lust, passion, caring all came to mind. I was so tied up in my emotions, I almost didn’t hear my phone buzz.
Noting it was Daniel, I swiped my hand to answer the call and said, “Hi.”
“Hey.” His voice was a bit gruff, like he’d just woken up. “At work?”
We’d fallen into a routine of quick chats in the morning and long calls in the evening. “Yes.”
“Something wrong? Usually you dive into a story about a patient’s latest antics.”
I cleared my throat. “I’m fine. But my mind was getting the better of me—”
Daniel interrupted my train of thought. “We finished filming yesterday, and I’m all yours.”
“That’s what was getting the best of me. What if we are rushing?”
“Bird-ie, if we don’t rush, we’ll be in the nursing home soon.”
This had me laughing. I hoped he didn’t mean it. “We will not. At least not me…but maybe you,” I argued.
“What happened? What’s going on inside that head of yours?”
“Nothing. Just me. And the team, the basketball team, talking about us in the locker room, wanting lessons with you.”
He clapped in the background, and I swore I could hear him fist-bumping the air through the phone. “Good! I’ll give them all lessons, but know this—we are not rushing, and I’m on my way later today. Let Rourke know.”
“Okay,” was all I could respond.
“Go to work, Birdie. Someone has to support me.”
This made me giggle again, and suddenly I wasn’t a surgeon with patients waiting. I was a girl…in love…with the guy who’d stolen my heart two decades prior.
“Honey, I’m home,” Daniel said much later when I opened my door.
“Welcome,” I replied, holding on to the frame.
“Come here,” he said, pulling me tight to his chest, kissing me for my whole neighborhood to see. “No one is looking,” he mumbled against my lips, sensing my apprehension somehow.
When we finally separated, Daniel grabbed his large suitcase and rolled it in, bending over to give Rourke some affection.
“How was the rest of your day?”
“Good.”
“That’s it?”
I stopped and wove my hand through his. “This is new to me. Sharing my space, feeling like someone cares about my day—”
“Stop right there, Birdie,” he said, his free palm coming to my cheek. “It may be new, but hurry and get used to it. I care.”
I felt myself nodding. “Want something to eat?”
“I hitched a ride with Matt Damon and we ate on the plane. He wanted vegan burgers, and who was I to argue? I agreed, knowing it would be late and you have to operate tomorrow.”
“Must be nice to fly private…”
“It’s better to be here, rather than wait for a plane.” He now led us to the couch and sat down, propping my feet on his lap like we were a regular couple, doing everyday things. Rourke crawled into his side to complete the effect, and Daniel asked, “What are you watching?”
It was paused, but I figured I’d answer truthfully. “ 30 for 30 .”
“Anyone good?”
“Yeah—you.”
“Oh, that’s an old one with my ex.”
“I’ve never seen it, but I figured with you moving on in…”
“Never believe what you see on TV,” he said, leaning over and kissing me. “If you want to see a great 30 for 30 , watch the one on Tiger.” He took control of the remote, changing the episode in a way that felt like foreshadowing of how he might change my life.
Tiger’s episode was incredible, and I further thought that maybe the changes Daniel would bring would be equally amazing…