Chapter 10 #2
“He did say he was going to come back in a couple of hours.”
“He’s been back a few times, but every time, you’ve been asleep.” She says it casually, like it’s no big deal, but something in her tone makes me pay attention.
“Oh,” I say, surprised to hear this. I only remember the one. My cheeks heat slightly at the thought of him standing here, watching me sleep. How did I look? Did I have my mouth hanging open? Or worse, was I drooling? Oh God, what if I was snoring?
I try to eat some of the toast and cookies, whatever I can get my hands on, thinking I’ll do anything to feel better, to prove to Sterling I’m good to go.
The toast is dry, but I wash it down with juice.
I’m still wondering who gave me the flowers, but I can’t focus on that.
No, I need to worry about finishing this food and getting my strength back so I look strong enough to leave.
As the door opens, I expect Sterling, so I quickly dust my face of crumbs, but it’s the nurse again. My shoulders sag slightly, disappointed. It’s him I need to convince, not her.
“Any luck with him?”
“Oh yeah, he’s on his way. I just wanted to give you your medication. Antibiotics and more painkillers.”
“Thanks.” I take the medication from her outstretched hand, tossing them back with a sip of water. Then I wait, anxiety creeping in. I smooth down my hospital gown and run my fingers through my tangled waves.
He steps in as the nurse is leaving. She nods at him, and he returns it with a small dip of his chin. Then he turns to me, and I try for a casual smile. My pulse picks up traitorously, and it has nothing to do with the medication and everything to do with the way his eyes land on mine.
Great. Just what I need. A crush on my doctor.
“Well, hello, sleepyhead. You’re all alert and ready to go, I hear.”
Sleepyhead. I smile goofily at his playfulness before I clear my throat to answer.
“Yes, Dr. Cooper said it was fine for me to go. She’s given me everything I need.”
“I heard.” He nods. “So let me do one last check, and then you’re good to go.” He moves to the foot of the bed again.
After a brief inspection, he takes a deep breath. “Hann—” He stops himself. “Sorry, Miss Morgan.”
I smile sweetly, even though my skin is prickling. “You can call me Hannah.” We’re past the formality stage, don’t you think? You were holding my hand in pre-op.”
He crosses his arms defensively. “Miss Morgan is appropriate for the doctor-patient relationship.”
He’s drawing a line. I understand why, but I want to test the boundary anyway. “Dr. Sterling,” I counter, and his eyes shimmer with humor, but his lips don’t move. Not even a twitch.
“I’ll have them bring the crutches up.”
“Can I use one of those scooter things?” I gesture vaguely, trying to picture the knee scooters I’ve seen people use.
His eyebrows draw together. “The ones people use instead of crutches?”
“Yes, because maybe the camera angle can only be from the waist up?”
He looks genuinely confused now. But I bet it’s because he hasn’t been on set, so he can’t picture it, but I can. And it’s a great solution. They usually don’t have much leg in the shots.
He’s watching me like he’s not entirely sure I’m following. “Take both, just to have everything on hand, depending on where you are and what you need.”
“I can do that.” I can do anything just to get out of here.
His eyes narrow skeptically. “Okay, well, I’ll see you back for a follow-up appointment in the next couple of days.”
“Sure, but can you not make it for a time when I’m filming?”
“I’ll just clear my schedule.” His voice drips with sarcasm.
I wonder if it’s the job that he seems to find an issue with, or is it my celebrity status? I can’t tell and, frankly, I’m too tired to figure it out.
“Don’t worry about it. Just give me a time and day, and I’ll figure it out,” I say, realizing I’m being a pain and not respecting his time and other patients either.
“Morning, afternoon, or night?” His tone goes flat; the earlier warmth having disappeared.
“Um…preferably late afternoon, but I’ll see what I can do.”
“Fine. I’ll have my receptionist schedule something and call you.” He’s already turning toward the door, clearly done with this conversation. “Goodbye, Miss Morgan. I’ll see you in a couple of days.”
“Bye.” The word comes out small.
But as he steps away, there’s this awkward pause, like he’s got something else to say, and so do I, but it’s like neither of us knows what it is.
Just as he’s almost at the door handle, the word bursts out of me. “Wait!”
He turns quickly, his eyes finding mine, eyebrows raised in question.
“Thank you for staying back and operating on me. Thank you for coming in early. For checking on me. Multiple times, apparently.” My cheeks warm at that last bit, but I hold his gaze.
He clears his throat and nods, and for just a second, his expression softens completely, the hardened professional mask slipping away to reveal something genuine underneath.
“You’re welcome, Hannah.” My name sounds different in his mouth. Smooth, deep, and unexpectedly sexy.
And then he leaves. The door clicks shut behind him. As soon as it closes, I exhale. My head hits the pillow as I stare at the ceiling. The way he said my name in that gravelly tone is doing something to me.
God, what is wrong with me? He’s my doctor. This is completely inappropriate.
And yet…
I bite my lip, unable to stop the grin spreading across my face.