Chapter 2 #2
“I’ll say,” he replied. “I thought my stomachache was from all the popcorn I ate at the movies last night. I don’t think I’ll ever eat popcorn again.”
“Ever?” Brooke tsked. “Now, that’s just not right. What other food can you pour a stick of butter over and eat to your heart’s content?”
“None?” Dylan offered.
“Bingo.” Brooke made a few notes on his patient file. “I hope this experience won’t ruin an entire food for you. It’s the best part of going to the movies. Promise me, you’ll at least try to eat popcorn one more time. For me?” She flashed a brilliant smile.
Dylan shrugged. “Ok, I promise.”
Then she asked Dylan and his parents some follow-up questions and jotted a few more things down on the patient’s file and dropped it back in the holder on the wall.
“I think you’re going to be fine.” Brooke clicked her pen closed and slid it back into the front pocket of her lab coat.
Then she plopped herself down on the swivel chair Dr. Moreno had occupied.
She entered some information into the computer.
Then twisted to face Dylan, she wagged a finger at Dylan. “But no dodgeball for a few weeks.”
Dylan half smiled. His parents agreed to make him rest and recover properly.
“Well, I’m off.” She stood. “I wish you a speedy recovery.”
Logan wished Dylan the same then followed Brooke back out to the hallway.
He closed the door to Dylan’s hospital room. Nurses walked by them at a brisk pace. Random machines ticked and clicked. Brooke shifted to face him.
His heartrate racked up without his consent. “How was the bread?” Logan raised an eyebrow while simultaneously telling himself to simmer on down.
Act normal. Breathe.
Being around Brooke made forming coherent thoughts difficult. He found her more attractive than anyone else he had ever met.
“Delicious.” Brooke shoved her hands into the pockets of her lab coat.
“Unfortunately, you were a witness to my rock bottom.” She gave him a tight smile.
“I, now, plan on actively avoiding you anytime I see you, so I don’t die from the humiliation.
If you see me again, I give you full liberty to completely ignore me. ” Her eyes crinkled at the corners.
“I—” Logan placed a hand on his chest, “for one, enjoy a woman in sweatpants.”
Brooke scoffed while she managed to roll her eyes. “Have a nice life.” Then she brushed past him down the hallway in the opposite direction he needed to go.
Okay, humor and his weak attempt at flirting wasn’t going to cut it. But he always enjoyed a challenge. Logan jogged to catch up with her as she rounded the corner to the nurses’ station.
When he was two feet behind her, she whipped back and said, “Why are you following me? I wasn’t kidding when I said I’m going to try my best never to run into you again.
It’s one thing to go to the store without a usable credit card, another to buy only two totally unhealthy items, and an entirely different animal to look like the cat dragged me in.
Then to top it all off, the guy who helped me in my moment of pure misery is in fact my new colleague.
” She narrowed her gaze. “I have no choice but to actively dodge you until the day I die.”
“Well, where’s the fun in that?” His lips twitched.
“Stop.” Brooke held up a hand. “I’m not kidding.” Then she pinched the bridge of her nose. “I’m not someone who does those things. You happened to be a witness to my total demise. A demise I want to never remember.” She dropped her hand and met his gaze.
“Oh, I could never forget you even if I tried.”
“Ahh,” she groaned. “This can’t be happening.”
Logan laughed.
“I’m glad you find my life amusing.”
He shrugged. “I’m only relieved it isn’t me for once. But for your information, my rock bottoms happen to include spicy Thai food.”
Her lips curled a smidge as the tight lines of her forehead loosened. “Pad Thai noodles?”
“Extra spicy.”
“Fine.” Brooke lifted her chin. “I’ll acknowledge your presence with a hello when I see you again.”
He placed his hand over his heart. “I’d be honored.”
She smirked. Her eyes danced with mischievousness.
“Now, tell me—did last night have anything to do with Dr. Moreno?” Logan tilted his head to the side. “Are you trying to avoid him, too?”
She crinkled her nose and gnawed on her bottom lip. “Was it that obvious?”
Logan rolled his hand back and forth. “No, and yes.”
“Geez,” she muttered. “Absolutely, fantastic.” She continued to the nurses’ station.
“If he was the reason your world was falling apart, what did he do?”
“Though you’ve seen me in sweatpants, I don’t think our fresh, day-old friendship is at that level.”
“Fair enough.” He pursed his lips together.
They arrived at the nurses’ station. He still needed to head in the other direction, but he hadn’t found a way to make himself leave.
Brooke smiled at one of the nurses sitting behind the station’s computer. “Hey, Aubrey.”
Aubrey stopped typing and glanced up. “Oh, Brooke,” her voice oozed with compassion.
She quickly pushed out her swivel chair and rounded the station, holding out her arms in a hug to her.
“Ian told me what happened.” Brooke stood stiffly as Aubrey hugged her.
“Why didn’t you call me? I would’ve come over. ” They broke their embrace.
Logan wondered if he should slip away. This clearly was a conversation that wasn’t any of his business, but he’d bet good money, it was about Dr. Moreno.
“I know, but I wanted to be alone.” Brooke flashed a glance over her shoulder and confirmed Logan hadn’t left. “I’m still not ready to talk about it.” Then she leaned in closer and lowered her voice, “Let’s go out this weekend, and I’ll fill you in on the details.”
“Sure.” Aubrey nodded. “Sounds good.”
Brooke motioned toward him. “Aubrey, this is Dr. Schofield. He’s a new surgeon who recently started here.”
“Well,” Aubrey smiled, “hello.”
“Aubrey,” Brooke continued, “is a nurse here and also happens to be my best friend.”
“Really,” Logan held his hand out to Aubrey, “nice to meet you.”
Aubrey shook his hand in return. Then both women stared at him. With the introductions out of the way, Logan realized he was staying way too long.
“I was only called in for the one surgery, so I guess I’d better go.” He shuffled his feet and glanced between the two women. “It was nice seeing you again. I’ll see you around?” His brow lifted.
Brooke flashed Aubrey a glance he couldn’t decipher. A buzz went off indicating a patient had pushed their call button.
Aubrey tapped the button off. “That’s for me.
I better go.” She readjusted the stethoscope around her neck.
“Some of us are meeting up after work tonight at Robert’s Pizza and Dough.
Dr. Schofield, you’re invited too. Please come.
It would be a great chance for you to meet some of the other doctors and nurses who work here. ”
“You can call me Logan.”
“Okay—Logan. Ian will be there, that’s my fiancé. He works here too as a cardiologist. Please come, the more the merrier,” Aubrey said.
“What about Justin?” Brooke inquired.
Who’s Justin?
Aubrey flipped her hair over her shoulder. “He’ll be there.”
“Then nah, I’m good. Let me know when you can meet up— alone.”
“You’re going to have to learn to do stuff with him there.
” Aubrey fiddled with her loosened hair then tucked it behind her ear.
“Sorry, that came out way harsh, but I think you have to rip this thing off like a band aid. You won’t be able to avoid Justin.
Plus, Logan will be there.” Aubrey peered past Brooke to Logan. “You’ll come, right?”
“He doesn’t want to come,” Brooke interjected.
Logan grinned. “I’m free, and I’d love to come and meet some new people.”
Brooke pinched the sleeve of Aubrey’s scrubs and directed her away from him.
They walked a few paces until they were out of ear shot.
Logan could only imagine what she was saying.
And who was Justin? Was Justin and Dr. Moreno the same person?
He didn’t get a good look at his name badge earlier.
He watched as they chatted with their heads close together.
Finally, Aubrey left, and Brooke slowly dragged her feet back to where Logan stood.
Once in front of him, Brooke rocked back and forth on her heels. “So, I guess I’ll see you tonight?”
He wanted to quiz her about Justin, and if his suspicions were that he was in fact Dr. Moreno.
But he knew he had a lot of ground to cover before they were on such familiar terms with one another.
Plus, according to Aubrey, this Justin character would be there tonight so he wouldn’t have to wait long to get to the bottom of it.
“I wouldn’t miss it.” Logan grinned.
“Ok, then.” Brooke unnecessarily adjusted the collar of her lab coat. “I have to finish my rounds.”
“And I’m headed home.” He stepped away. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“Tonight.”
“Oh, Brooke—”
“Yeah?” she furrowed her inquisitive brow.
“Do you need me to bring you another package of Oreos? I don’t think they have those on the menu at the pizza place?”
Brooke rolled her eyes, but her lips curled. “I’ll manage.” She scrunched her nose. “I only ate half the pack last night. I might have to polish off the rest of it after this evening. So, another stop at the grocery store might be on the agenda afterwards.”
Logan rubbed his thumb down his jaw. “Hey, you have a plan.” He tried to think of something smooth to say but he came up blank. “See you soon.” Then he left.
His entire walk home he thought about Brooke eating Oreos on her couch, and he thought he wouldn’t mind sitting next to her, eating them too.