Page 2 of Her Heart's Desire

"I'll text in our group chat to see who wants to get together. Are we doing this tonight?" Colleen asks as she pulls out her own phone.

"Yeah, we can do it tonight. I'm off tomorrow. Thankfully."

"Awesome. Now get back to work," she says as she smacks my ass as hard as she can.

My hands instinctively go to my ass. "Ouch. Did you have to do that?"

She smiles. "You know I did."

"Now my ass is going to hurt all day."

She winks at me. "You know you like it."

"No, you hag. I don't like it. But it's time to get back to work."

Colleen cackles behind me as I leave the break room, rubbing my sore ass. Heading back to the cardiac wing, I roll out my neck, reminding myself I only have four more hours on this shift. Usually, I work twelve hour shifts five days a week. Except for surgery days. On those days, you never know how long you'll be working. Sometimes it's longer, other times it's shorter. I love my job. It seems like I'm complaining, but I'm not.

What other job could you have where you get to meet great people? Work with one of the most complicated organisms in the body, the heart? And help heal people, not just physically but emotionally, too. I was meant for this, but that doesn't mean I don't get tired.

Pushing the doors open after scanning my I.D. the sight I see has me freezing right in my spot. All thoughts about my disastrous love life and my sore ass leave my head. What the hell is he doing here? I will my legs to move so I can get out of here and hide in one of my patient's rooms. Thankfully, I'm able to turn quietly, attempting to tiptoe down the hall. Before I can creep past the two men standing at the nurse's desk, Randall, my boss, spots me.

"Aww, there you are, Kimberly." My whole body stiffens. Shit, I wanted neither of these men to see me, time to be a big girl I force myself to relax my shoulders. Plastering on the fakest smile, I turn back toward Randall and his guest. Making sure I keep my eyes on my boss and only him, I ask, "What can I do for you?" My words are dripping in sweetness so he can't see how uncomfortable I am right now.

"This here is Mr. Cabot; he just bought the hospital and is making rounds over the next few weeks to check in on the departments."

My jaw drops in shock. My gaze goes to the man standing next to him. And shit, my heart skips a beat when they connect with Silas Cabot's very green eyes the same man who has had my heart since the moment his son introduced us seven years ago.

"Hello, Kimberly," he greets me with a small smirk. His deep voice rolls over me, the same one that had my stomach flipping every time he spoke back then, and it seems things have not changed, no matter how much I've tried to put him out of my mind. I say nothing. I can't. All my words are stuck somewhere between my brain and throat. And maybe even a few have dropped to my pussy, because suddenly my clit is tingling, and my panties are damp.

This is not good. I can feel my boss's gaze bouncing between us. When he finally gets the guts he clears his throat and asks, "You two know each other?"

I'm nodding, because my brain doesn't seem to want to work, but Silas answers for us both. "We've met. She dated my son a few years back. Isn't that right?"

As if a bucket of ice has been thrown on me, I wake up to reality instead of being stuck in the one I've created. Why would Silas have any interest in me other than as his son's ex-girlfriend?

"Yes." I casually answer, pulling my nurse phone out of my pocket, pretending that a patient is calling me. "Sorry, I've got to go." Not caring if the two men staring at me know it's all a ruse, I immediately start down the hall. Because right now I need to get myself together.

When I reach one of my patient's doors, I take a deep breath and let all the tension in my body go. He just owns the hospital, nothing more, nothing less. He has more important things to do than care about you except for the extent of your job. And nothing to worry about there because you're a kick ass nurse.

Maybe if I chant that a few times, I'll even convince myself. A buzzing sound interrupts my thoughts. When I pull out my personal phone, I see a slew of texts confirming girls' night.

Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly as if I was at yoga. This is what I need, a night with my girls to keep my mind off of Silas Cabot or that he now owns the freaking hospital.

Chapter 2

Kimberly

Later that night I walk into the only good bar in Rose Valley, Gary's Place. Dressed in my favorite skinny jeans that make me look like I have an ass, pairing it with a black crop top that helps to accentuate my barely their breasts. I'm ready to forget the day and wanting to feel like I look my best but still relaxed, which is noticeable when you get to my feet and see my favorite pair of shoes, cow print Nike Air Maxes.

Scanning the room, I search for the best friends a girl could ever ask for. When I see Colleen and Ashley at a table, I make a beeline for it. Thank god. The closer I get to them, the higher my spirits lift. Being around them always makes me feel better. These ladies have become my family in this small town.

Approaching the table, I greet both of them. "Hey Colleen, Ashley. I need a shot." Pushing my long blonde hair behind me, I grab a shot from in front of Ashley and down it. When I slam it back down on the table, I search the room for the rest of our group. When I come up short, I turn to them and ask, "Where is everyone?"

Waiting for one of them to answer, I pull out a stool and sit down, hanging my purse on the hook under the table. Once settled, my gaze goes back to Colleen and Ashley. Both of them are looking at me as if I have two heads. "Why are you guys looking at me like that?"

Ashley answers. "First, take a breath." She then narrows her eyes at me. "Second, that was my shot." Giving me a wink, she continues, "Mya, and Allison had today off so they should be here soon. Sloan is finishing up at the hospital but wanted to go home and change before heading here. Hazel said that she's got to stop and pick up Cecilia."

I nod as she finishes, but still feel antsy. Maybe if I distract myself with something? I pull out a menu from the center of the table, pretending that I'm searching for something new to order. I'm not. I already know what I'm getting, it's the same thing every time.

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