Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
Jamieson
“You’re really confusing me with this whole ‘old life-new life’ business. What happened to you that you up and left New York to start a new life? Was it because of some guy?” I glanced over at her.
“Remember at dinner when you told me that you didn’t want to talk about your mother? I don’t want to talk about my old life back in New York.”
“Then answer me this. Have you ever lived in California before?”
“I did. Up until I was ten years old. Why?”
I pulled up to her apartment building.
“It’s just a comment Renata made.”
“What did she say?”
“She was warning me to stay away from you, and she just mentioned that it was going to be hard on you as it is being here.”
“My parents were killed here in a car accident,” she spoke.
“Gee, I’m sorry, Grace.”
“Like I told you and my Aunt Cora, that was twenty years ago.”
She opened the door, climbed out, and headed for the door.
“Your Aunt Cora?” I asked as I climbed out and walked her up.
“She was the one who took me in and raised me. Why was Renata warning you to stay away from me?” she asked as her brows furrowed.
“You know Renata. Playing Mama Bear and being protective of the resident she raised.”
A light smile crossed her mouth as she placed her hand on my chest.
“I don’t need protection, and I’m exhausted. Thank you for dinner, Jamieson.”
“You’re welcome, Grace. Have a good night.”
“You too.” The corners of her mouth curved upward as she opened the door and stepped inside.
I stood there with my hands tucked into my pants pockets and watched her until the door shut.
Walking back to my car, I thought about how I couldn’t believe she wouldn’t have sex with me.
But it was all good. I’d make sure she broke her rule, and she’d be in my bed sooner or later—sooner being the goal.
Grace
I stepped into my apartment, threw my keys on the counter, and lay across my bed. Holding my phone in my hand, I brought up Sam’s text message, and with much hesitation, I replied.
“I got a new job and moved away from New York. Please don’t contact me again.”
Instantly, he replied back.
“You moved out of the state? WTF, Grace? I gave you what you asked. I didn’t bother you at all. Please, talk to me.”
“I will never talk to you again. Go get some help, Sam. If you have a shred of decency left in you, you’ll do what’s right. Like I said, don’t contact me again. You are my past mistake, and that’s where you’re staying.”
I hit the send button and then blocked his number.
My heart ached as a tear fell down my cheek.
I wasn’t doing this again. I wouldn’t let myself hurt over him anymore.
I wiped my eyes, went into the bathroom, and got ready for bed.
As I was lying there, I picked up the picture of my parents and me that was sitting on my nightstand.
Memories of the time we had as a family here haunted me.
I missed them both so much. I set the picture back on my nightstand, and my pager went off when I closed my eyes.
It was the hospital asking me to call them.
“It’s Dr. Harper. You paged me?”
“Dr. Finn needs you to call him right away. Let me know when you’re ready to take down his number.”
I frowned as I grabbed a piece of paper and a pen from my nightstand drawer.
“I’m ready.” I took down his number as she rattled it off. “Thank you.”
“He said it’s very important.”
I dialed his number, and after two rings, he answered.
“Dr. Finn.”
“Dr. Finn, it’s Dr. Harper. You had the hospital page me?”
“I did, Dr. Harper. Thank you for calling so promptly.”
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“Nothing. I just forgot to ask you for your phone number earlier.”
“You told the hospital to page me so you could get my number?” I let out a soft laugh.
“Yes. As I said, I forgot to get it earlier.”
“You couldn’t have asked me for it in the morning?”
“I could have, but why wait when I could get it now? Good night, Dr. Harper.”
“Good night, Dr. Finn.” I smiled as I ended the call and stored his number in my phone.
Jamieson
I smiled as I set my phone down and sipped the drink in my hand while I listened to the waves of the ocean crash against the shore.
I liked Grace. I liked her enough to have sex with her on a regular basis.
No strings, no attachment. We were doctors, and we didn’t have time for anything but sex when we needed it.
All I had to do was get her to agree. Her stupid rule about sleeping with co-workers was the only thing standing in the way. I finished my drink and went inside.
The next morning, after my rounds, I called Dr. Ryan Knowles before I headed into surgery.
“Dr. Finn, to what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Dr. Knowles, how are you?”
“I’m good, Jamieson.”
“Listen. I understand you had Grace Harper under your fellowship.”
“I did. Brilliant woman and surgeon. It broke my heart when she left. She’s over there with you guys now, right?”
“Yes. I performed surgery with her yesterday, and she’s very good. She told me she studied under you.”
“One of the best damn trauma surgeons in the country. This hospital suffered a great loss.”
“Do you know why she left?”
“Apparently, Renata made her an offer she couldn’t refuse. Damn that woman.” He chuckled. “Why are you asking?”
“Just curious. I didn’t know if something happened over there to make her want to leave.”
“Nothing that I’m aware of. Just Renata taking back her baby.”
I chuckled. “Thanks, Ryan.”
“Jamieson, Grace is an amazing woman. Don’t give her a hard time over there.”
“I won’t. I have surgery I need to perform. We’ll talk again soon.”
I ended the call and set down my phone. Bringing my index fingers up to my lips, I leaned back in my chair and started plotting a way to get Dr. Grace Harper into my bed.