Page 15 of Doctor One Night

“Let’s give it one more shot,” Shep finally says. “We’ll push for the ablation, and I’ll keep hammering home the need to quit. If that doesn’t work, well, we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”

“Agreed,” I say, finishing the last of my coffee. “I’ll talk to her about the procedure at her next appointment.”

Shep gives me a curt nod. “Thanks, Hunter. I’ll keep you in the loop on my end.”

“Same here,” I reply as we start walking back toward the elevators. “Good luck with her.”

He smirks, but it’s a weary one. “Yeah, I’ll need it.”

We part ways as the elevator doors close behind me, and I let out a long breath. Another day, another battle with patients who refuse to help themselves. But we keep fighting because that’s what we do.

FIVE

Frankie

Frankie's House

11:08 am

Sitting at my desk, I’m surrounded by a sea of open files and papers, each one more critical than the last. The meeting with Dr. Bench and Hunter Parrish is later today, and I’m trying to make sure every detail is perfectly in place. The pacemaker trial is at a crucial stage, and this meeting could be the turning point that finally pushes it forward.

I glance at my screen, where an email draft to Hunter is open, the cursor blinking impatiently at me. It’s just a simple follow-up that I’ll send after the meeting this afternoon, but for some reason, I can’t seem to find the right words.

“God, Frankie, are you actually emailing him?” Carly’s voice breaks through my concentration. I turn to see her standing in the doorway, arms crossed, a teasing grin on her face. Her hair is still a little mussed from her nap on the sofa, but she looks as bright and energetic as ever.

I roll my eyes and lean back in my chair. “Carly, I already told you we’re working together on this project. This is strictly business.”

“Uh-huh, sure,” she says, strolling over to my desk and peering at the screen. “Because business emails I write a draft and fuss over every single word and period. What are you saying? ‘Dear Dr. Parrish, please give me a giant orgasm like you did last time’?”

“Ha ha,” I deadpan, closing the laptop a little too quickly. “Yeah, just like that. You really have a way with words. So professional.”

Carly flops down into the chair across from me, her grin not fading in the slightest. “Professional stuff, huh? Come on, Frankie, you can’t tell me you’re not at least a little bit flustered about working with him. I mean, the guy is like walking sex appeal with a stethoscope.”

My cheeks warm slightly, and I quickly busy myself with straightening a stack of papers. “He’s a surgeon, Carly. We have to work together. That’s it. How he looks doesn’t factor into any of it.”

“Right,” she drawls, clearly enjoying my discomfort. “And the fact that you guys slept together once has absolutely no effect on you?”

I shoot her a look. “Yep.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” she sighs, leaning back in the chair. “Just remember, Frankie, you’re the boss in that room. You’re the one with the expertise on this trial. Don’t let his stupidly handsome face distract you from that.”

I can’t help but laugh at that, the tension easing just a little. “I won’t. Trust me, I’m focused on the work. This project is too important to let anything—or anyone—distract me.”

Carly smiles, softer this time. “I know you are. Just don’t forget to take a breath, okay? You’re going to do great.”

“Thanks, Carly,” I say, suddenly more grounded knowing her confidence in me. “I just need to get through this meeting, and then we’ll see where things go from there. It’s the unknown more than anything.”

I lean over and pull the lighter out of the small drawer to light my lavender candle. Immediate peace descends on my anxious thoughts.

She stands up and stretches, clearly satisfied with our conversation. “Well, I’m going to go grab another coffee. Want one?”

I nod, grateful for the offer. “Yes, please.”

As she leaves the room, I open my laptop again, staring at the email draft. I know Carly’s right. I’m the expert on this trial, and I need to keep my focus on the task at hand. But as much as I try to convince myself that this is just another professional collaboration, I can’t completely ignore the butterflies in my stomach at the thought of seeing Hunter again.

Fife’s Restaurant

11:48 am

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