Page 60 of Doctor Second Chance

"Fair. And if you see a nurse scolding me or giving me a hard time, don't assume I'm sleeping with her. Because I'm not."

"Fair." I giggle. I feel so silly and relieved at the same time.

Shep leans in, kissing me passionately. The warmth of his lips lingers as he pulls away to put on his shirt. Before he leaves, he bends down for one more kiss, gentle and sweet.

"I better get out of here before we get caught."

"Yes, get on."

"See you soon," he murmurs, and the automatic door closes, and he's gone.

As the door slides shut behind Shep, I let out a long breath I didn't realize I was holding. The quiet of the hospital room envelops me, but for once, it doesn't feel oppressive. Instead, it's like a cocoon, giving me space to process everything that just happened.

I can't believe how much has changed in just a few hours. This morning, I was convinced Shep had abandoned me again, leaving me to deal with my recovery alone. The weight of that perceived rejection had been crushing, bringing back all the pain from our college breakup.

But now? Now I feel like I can breathe again. The misunderstandings about Justin and Carly have been cleared up, and I feel a little foolish for jumping to conclusions. It's incredible how easily we can misinterpret things when we're scared and hurting.

Learning about Ari's situation puts so much into perspective, too. Shep has been dealing with too much–the worry about Opie's mom, the stress of his job, and my sudden reappearance in his life. It's no wonder there were some communication hiccups.

I close my eyes, replaying our conversation in my mind. The earnestness in Shep's voice as he explained everything, the way he looked at me... it's like a balm to my battered heart. I feel genuinely hopeful for the first time since I woke up in this hospital bed.

There's still so much to figure out–my recovery, our complicated history, the logistics of living in different states. But right now, in this moment, none of that seems insurmountable. We talked. We listened. We understood each other. And that feels like the most critical step.

I snuggle deeper into my pillow, a smile playing on my lips. The weight pressing on my chest for days has lifted, replaced by a warm, buoyant feeling. Whatever comes next, I know we'll face it together. And that makes all the difference.

TWENTY

Shep

5:59 am

I wake up with a start, my heart racing as memories of last night flood my senses. I got little sleep, at least in my own bed, but I feel refreshed and energized.

Elle’s scent lingers on my skin, a reminder of our passionate reunion. A smile tugs at my lips as I replay our conversation. The misunderstandings cleared away like morning fog.

The empty space beside me feels vast and cold. I wish Elle were here, curled up against me instead of in that sterile hospital bed. But at least now I know the truth—that man in the blue hat wasn't her boyfriend. The relief washes over me again, still as potent as last night.

I stretch and check my phone. Thankfully, there have been no more emergency calls overnight. Since I got home so late, Cason is still here, so I’m hoping I can sneak back into the hospital to say good morning to Elle before hanging out with Opie today.

I think I’ve got time for a quick shower before heading there. I can’t stop thinking about Elle as the hot water cascades over me. How soft her lips felt, how perfectly she fit in my arms.

We've still got a lot to figure out—her recovery, the distance between us, and my responsibilities as a single dad. But for the first time in years, I feel hopeful about the future—like maybe we've been given a gift to explore this again for real.

I step into the shower, letting the hot water cascade over my body. As I reach for the shampoo, my mind drifts to Elle. God, she's beautiful. Even in that hospital gown, with her hair mussed from sleep, she took my breath away.

I close my eyes, remembering how she looked last night. The way her eyes sparkled when she smiled at me. The elegant curve of her neck as she tilted her head back to laugh at one of my stupid jokes.

And her lips... I groan softly, leaning my forehead against the cool tile. Her lips were even softer this time around for some reason. Enlightened, even.

The taste of her lingers on my tongue. I want to kiss her right now. To pull her close and never let go.

The steam from the shower envelops me as I step under the scalding water, letting it pelt my skin. I try to wash away the remnants of sleep and the lingering scent of antiseptic from the hospital. I reach for the body wash, my mind wandering, as it often does these days, to Elle.

I squeeze a dollop of soap into my palm, the scent of sandalwood filling the air. My hand moves automatically, lathering the soap across my chest, but my thoughts are miles away with Elle. I can't shake the memory of her lying in that hospital bed, her vulnerability juxtaposed against a strength that takes my breath away.

My breath hitches as I recall the softness of her lips, the sweetness of her breath, and the feel of her body yielding to mine. The water streams down my back as I lean against the cool tile, my other hand slipping lower, gripping myself.

My hand encompasses my erection, and I groan at the sudden rush of pleasure. I pump my fist slowly, her face in my mind’s eye.

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