Page 8 of Hearts on Fire

The injection stung, but Scotti didn’t really mind, as long as it would get her back to work quickly.

“Is Dr. Crane still here?”

“You can check. I know she was being discharged this morning, but I’m not sure what time. Agnes checked in on her earlier and said she was doing really well.”

Scotti wandered over to the general ward and asked at the nurses’ station for Dr. Crane. She was in luck; Naomi was just packing up her stuff to go.

Scotti hurried to her room, wanting to catch her before she left.

Naomi looked good this morning. She had clearly showered and found a hair brush from somewhere and they had given her some clean scrubs to go home in. She looked squeaky clean, clear skinned and her hair was neatly brushed back in a low bun.

Scotti felt her heart leap. She looked beautiful.

“Good morning Dr. Crane. How are you doing today?”

Naomi looked up at her and smiled. “Firefighter Saunders! It’s good to see you. I’m doing alright. One of my colleagues brought some scrubs and toiletries for me and I got a shower last night and again this morning, so things are looking up.”

“That is a plus. Do you need a ride home?”

“That would be great, actually. I was just going to get a cab. Obviously, my car isn’t here. What are you doing here, though? I didn’t expect to see you again—not that I’m not happy you’re here.”

“I needed to get my shoulder checked again. Nothing to worry about.”

Naomi raised an eyebrow. “Trying to sneak back to work before it’s fully healed? I know your type.”

“Guilty,” Scotti laughed. “My captain put a stop to it, though. I’m hoping he’ll allow me back tomorrow.”

“Good for him. Pushing yourself too soon will only lead to further injury.”

“I know, I know. I just don’t like it.”

“I get that. I hate being away from work, too.”

Scotti took Naomi’s bag and the two of them walked out of the hospital.

They were met by a wall of reporters.

“What the hell?” Scotti murmured.

“Oh no,” Naomi groaned. “It must have gotten out that I was being discharged this morning.”

“Um. I heard you were some kind of famous doc, but this is a lot of reporters.”

Naomi turned and ushered Scotti back inside the hospital.

“Didn’t you see it?”

“See what?”

“Come back inside, let me show you.”

The nurses shooed the press away as Scotti and Naomi retreated into the relative peace of the hospital reception area.

“One of my colleagues showed me last night. Just google my name.”

“Dr. Naomi Crane?” Scotti felt dumb as soon as she said it.

“That is my name.” Naomi raised an eyebrow and looked so damn attractive Scotti felt a rush of desire run through her.

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