Page 36 of Doctor One Night

And despite everything that’s happened tonight, it’s still there, lingering at the edge of my mind.

I glance over at Hunter, wondering if now is the right time to broach the subject. He’s been surprisingly open tonight, and more relaxed than I’ve ever seen him. Maybe that’s why I feel the need to ask, to see if there’s anything more we can discuss now that we’re not in a formal setting.

“So,” I start, hesitating for just a moment, “about the trial… I’ve been thinking about what you said earlier today, about the concerns you had with the data.”

Hunter turns his attention fully to me, his expression serious but open. “Yeah? What about it?”

“I’ve been going over your points in my head,” I continue, “and I see where you’re coming from. I think there’s definitely some room to adjust the parameters we’re using, especially in terms of the patient selection criteria. We want to make sure we’re targeting the right group for this to be successful.”

He nods, considering my words. “I agree. It’s not that I don’t trust the data, it’s just… we can’t afford to overlook anything. If this goes to human trials… Let me correct myself, when it goes to human trials, it has to be flawless. We can’t take any chances.”

His dedication to the project, to ensuring it’s as perfect as possible, resonates with me. It’s one reason I respect him so much as a surgeon. He’s not just driven; he’s relentless in his pursuit of excellence.

“I’ve already started making some adjustments,” I tell him, sensing that familiar passion rise within me. “I think if we tweak a few things, we’ll not only address your concerns, but we might also improve the overall effectiveness of the pacemaker.”

Hunter’s eyes light up with interest, and I can tell he’s genuinely engaged. “You’re already working on it?”

I nod, a small smile playing on my lips. “Of course. This project means everything to me, Hunter. I want to get it right. Of course, we just spoke about it, so it is on paper right now, but yes, I've got some ideas.”

He leans back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. “You know, Frankie, I think we make a good team. I know I can be hard on people, but I’m glad to be working with you on this. Thank you for trusting my insight.”

His words catch me off guard, and a warmth spreads through my chest. “I’m glad you’re on board too. Your input has already made a difference, and I agree, together, we can really make this work.”

“Let’s keep pushing forward,” Hunter says finally, his voice full of quiet determination. “We’ve got something good here, Frankie. I know it.”

“Yeah,” I agree, meeting his gaze. “We do.”

Wednesday, May 22

7:06 am

The first rays of morning light filter through the blinds in Carly's hospital room, casting a soft glow over the sterile white walls. I shift slightly on the recliner that served as my makeshift bed for the night, blinking the sleep from my eyes. It wasn’t the most comfortable place to sleep, but surprisingly, it wasn’t as bad as I’d expected.

Carly stirs in the bed beside me, her eyes fluttering open. I sit up a little straighter, instantly alert, watching as she takes in her surroundings.

“Morning,” I say softly, giving her a small smile.

“Morning,” she replies, her voice still groggy. She shifts in bed, wincing slightly as the movement reminds her of her injuries. “How are you feeling?” I ask, concern evident in my tone.

“Like I got hit by a car,” she jokes, but there’s a hint of pain behind her smile. “But seriously, I’m okay. Sore, but okay.”

The doctors had gone over her scans late last night, and while the news was reassuring, it had still been a long night. Carly was fortunate—her scans showed no broken bones and her concussion was mild. She stayed the night for observation, but everything else came back clear. The car hadn’t been going fast; it had only clipped her leg. The real damage occurred due to the way she had been thrown by the impact and how she had landed.

“You’re really lucky,” I say, my voice filled with relief. “It could have been so much worse.”

“I know,” she agrees, her expression softening. “But you didn’t have to stay, you know. I’m an ER nurse—I know the drill. Being in the hospital doesn’t freak me out like it does most people.”

I shake my head, reaching out to take her hand. “I wasn’t going to leave you alone, Carly. Not before we knew exactly what we were dealing with. Besides, the recliner wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.”

She squeezes my hand, a grateful smile on her lips. “Thanks, Frankie. You’re a good friend. As if you don’t have enough on your plate.”

“Of course,” I reply, squeezing back. “You practically live at my house. It's only fitting that I move in with you to your hospital room.”

“What did you decide to do about your dad?”

“I met with him, but let’s not go into that right now. I’ll tell you everything soon, just not now. Change of subject.”

“I can appreciate that. When you’re ready, let’s talk about it.”

---