Chapter 2
Chapter Two
Sloan
Past
“Have you seen the new ortho surgeon yet?” Kailey squeals, hopping in her chair and sliding over to me.
“I have not, but word is he’s a silver fox,” I say nonchalantly, shrugging my shoulders.
“He is definitely a silver fox!” Maria chirps, coming over and sitting on the desk in front of us, sipping on her daily iced coffee.
“And…a newly single one!” Maria and Kailey say at the same time.
“Jinx!” they both shout and then burst out in a fit of giggles.
“You two kill me,” I start laughing at their ridiculousness.
“Why do we care if he’s single?” I ask, eyeing them both suspiciously.
“Weee don’t care, but you might,” Kailey says slyly.
“Isn’t a hot, world-renowned surgeon being single a red flag?” I ask.
“You think everyone is a red flag,” Maria states.
“I heard he’s a widow,” Kailey whispers solemnly.
“That’s really sad but that doesn’t change my mind. I’m celibate, remember? Swore off all men. Doing the independent boss babe thing.” I side-eye them.
“Yes, yes, we know. Dreams of being a nurse practitioner. You plan to leave little old us here. You don’t need no man, Reese. We get it. But he could just be your sugar daddy,” Maria says, wiggling her eyebrows.
“I don’t need a sugar daddy. I am perfectly happy on my own. Thank you very much.” I spin around in my chair and go to throw my feet up on the desk.
“Ladies…” says a very deep male voice, startling me. I immediately drop my feet and both girls’ eyes go wide. We all jump up from our chairs and blurt out, “Doctor.”
“Ladies, I’m Dr. James McAllister, the new head of Orthopedic Surgery. I was just making my rounds meeting everyone. I was told you three are the ones I need to keep happy if I want things to run smoothly,” he says matter of fact.
“Yes, sir. One of us is usually here every day. We make sure everything runs smoothly for everyone from pre-op to discharge,” I say, reaching out to shake his hand.
He takes my hand gently, placing it between both of his rather large hands. I watch as his eyes quickly make a pass at my left hand. Interesting.
“Pleasure to meet you, Miss…” James says in a charming voice, causing my erratic heartbeat from almost getting caught talking about him to slow the slightest bit.
“Reese Archer, sir,” I say, holding eye contact. His eyes are the color of bourbon aged whiskey, soft and kind.
“Reese, it’s a pleasure,” Dr. McAllister says, squeezing my hand tenderly, returning my gaze.
“That’s Kailey and Maria.” I nod my head toward the girls. They’re standing next to me, staring at him with hearts in their eyes.
“Ladies, Reese, I look forward to working with you all.” He nods, releasing my hand and walking down the hall.
“Oh my gaaaah!” Kailey and Maria squeal and start jumping around me when he’s out of sight.
“You guys! We almost got caught,” I grumble.
“OMG, stop! He was so into you,” Maria squeals.
“He didn’t even know we existed,” Kailey says, bumping her shoulder into me.
“Not happening you two.” I plop down in my chair and scoot up to my computer to start putting orders in for the next surgical case.
“It is soooo happening!” they both say giggling, walking down the hall toward the operating rooms. “See you later, Reese’s Pieces.”
“Later, babes,” I shout back.