Page 10 of Lie for a Lie

He says almost with a silent request.

“Graham.”

I stop and turn to meet his gaze and feel it again linger between us. That low electrical pulse begins to charge. Neither of us says anything as I smile and shut the door before returning to the emergency room.

Chapter 6

Graham

I’m not sure what to make of Paige’s visit last night. I can tell by the startled expression that she quickly neutralized she hadn’t expected to see me. When she left the room, I ended up cleaning, trying to calm my racing thoughts. Finally, I picked up the coffee cup and trash everywhere.

I finished my work out around midnight and had planned to stop by and check on Kat before heading home, but ended up falling asleep in the chair next to her. Between last night’s events and rounding, it was almost eight o’clock when I made it home. Needing to run off my nervous energy after working from home for a few hours, I needed the gym, like most nights.

When the soft knock entered the room, I hadn’t expected those emerald eyes. Paige is even more beautiful in her element. Her form-fitting scrubs showed her toned curves with pride. Her smile was genuine, and I felt like the world’s biggest asshole, clearly crushing on Chris’s girlfriend’s sister.

It’s part of the reason I left shortly after she did. I headed home, quickly showered, and slept a bit before returning to the hospital late this morning. I managed to get today off by trading some shifts, so I wasn’t in any rush.

Katherine has been sleeping every time I have been here, but the nurse tells me there is no permanent damage. Fortunately, I went to school with her admitting doctor and used it to my advantage. At first, I hadn’t recognized him with the hair loss and forty pounds he had gained, but once we were talking in Katherine’s exam room, I put it together pretty quickly.

“So, outpatient is an option?” I ask Dr. Nickelson.

He is older than I remember, and his hairline is receding.

“Yes, she needs some follow-up with her therapist as well.”

“Understood.”

I offer my hand, and he accepts. Shaking firmly, I can see Harrison isn’t leaving anytime soon.

“Is it true?” Nickelson asks, and I look at him, confused.

He smiles before clarifying.

“Last night, the nurse notified me that one of the ER nurses came up to check on Katherine. From Kat’s triage note, that nurse was the one who found her unresponsive at the restaurant.”

I can feel just a slight twinge of jealousy before calming myself. There is no reason for me to feel that way. I don’t even understand why I do. I shake the thoughts from my mind and focus back on Nickelson. I forgot how quickly gossip travels through hospitals and sighed, annoyed.

“Yes, she is a colleague’s girlfriend’s sister. We had all been out for dinner when it happened.”

I don’t want Paige to get in trouble if she has done something she isn’t supposed to.

“So, you do know her?”

The question seems loaded, and I will not like what comes next.

“Yes?”

I don’t need to tell him I have just met her. Frankly, it isn’t any of his business, but I know a fox like her would never be interested in this man—especially a man whose hair was falling out and wearing a wedding ring.

“Do you think you could introduce me? I have had my eye on her for years.”

This dude has some balls. I will give him that. It took every ounce of strength I had not to hit him before letting out a laugh and pointing towards his wedding band.

“I think that might be a deal breaker.”

I laugh, disgusted and can see the regret immediately as Harrison shoves his hands in his pockets and his cheeks flush red.

Mission accomplished.

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