Page 20 of Doctor Charmer

She waits for the nurse to reconnect the monitors to his arm and step back before speaking.

“I’ll leave you two to it. The rest of the team checked out of the hotel this afternoon. I ordered a van to take them back to campus. Dahlia and Victoria are going to be released this evening. I’m going to go check on them next.” I wave. “Text me if you need anything. I’ll be nearby.”

I pull open the door just as Chelsea speaks. “Griff, you want to play cards? I just learned this new game I think you’ll like…”

Chapter Eleven

Reggie

The minute I step off the elevator and round the corner, I see her. A midday surprise that has Nurse Reynold’s fingerprints on it. Apparently, Ivy’s influence is just as effective on females. It’s the only thing to explain what I’m seeing.

Shoulders pressed to the doorframe of my office, door half opened, feet in a kickstand, head down and scrolling through her phone, stands Ivy. An enticing treat by herself, but by her feet on the floor next to her is a large shopping bag with the hospital’s cafeteria logo plastered on it.

“Couldn’t stay away, huh?” I joke as I approach, and she immediately lowers the phone, pushing off the doorframe.

Her smile is warm, those dark eyes I’m getting to know so well alight with mischief. “I was in the cafeteria picking up snacks for the team, and I thought, I bet a busy ER doctor probably never has time for a proper meal.” She taps her toe to the plastic bag next to the door. “My new favorite nurse had security open your office for me, but I didn’t feel comfortable sitting in therewithout you. I’m not sure if it breaks some hospital policy or anything.”

“And we all know you are all about the rules.” I humor her and wave for her to enter.

“Not me—you. You have so many of them. Won’t go out with a patient. Won’t kiss a girl you are dying to kiss first.” She bends and grabs the handle of the shopping bag, and I wonder how much food she picked up for lunch.

“Someone must be starving. I’m a granola and apple lunch guy.”

I follow her into my office. It’s not as spacious as the executive offices on the ninth floor, but I don’t mind. I’m barely in my office most days. A typical oak desk dominates the space, two chairs in front for the rare visitor. A small couch on one wall and a small circular work desk in the corner.

“So it’s true… an apple a day.”

I direct her to set the bag on the small table. I remove my lab jacket and place it on the hook behind the door, closing it. The corner of her mouth lifts slightly with the sound of the door shutting, and for a second, I wonder if she’s setting another trap for me.

“Can we call a truce on round two until we eat? I need my fuel for the afternoon.” I step next to her and can’t believe how fast my heart beats. Brushing past her to get around the table, I pick up the scent of vanilla on her skin.

“Sounds like Dr. Charmer is frightened of little ole me.” She lowers her gaze, pulling treat after treat from the bag.

I laugh, unbuttoning my cuffs and rolling my sleeves up my arm. “Some of us don’t have the luxury to sit around all day and think of ways to torture another human being.”

“Says the doctor administering long needles and holding a scalpel.” Even I must admit her retort is perfect. “But I hear you.Truce.” She looks up wide-eyed, and I know she has more to say. “For now.”

I duck behind my desk, bending down to my hidden mini fridge that is not hospital approved. I pull out my brown paper bag lunch.

“And what is that?” Ivy barks and points as I remove my apple and bottle of water. “Put that away. I brought you real food. Hot food. Do you always eat that? Here? At your desk? When I asked Arlene what time you took lunch so I could ambush you in the cafeteria, she mentioned you’d be in your office. I just thought she meant for today.”

It takes a second for me to realize who Arlene is—Nurse Reynolds. She doesn’t allow anyone in our department to call her by her first name. Apparently, that doesn’t apply to Ivy. I dig through Ivy’s flurry of questions and pinpoint the one she’s truly interested in, “Yes. And since we’ve declared a truce, I’ll answer the question on the tip of your tongue. Alone.”

Her eyes flash for a second before she busies herself unwrapping a turkey sandwich. “I assumed you’d have a line of women beating down your door to sit with you for twenty minutes. That’s why I showed up early.”

“Early bird gets the doctor?” I tease her.

Her fingers halt, her gaze locked on the table. “If you prefer to be alone… I could…”

“Don’t you dare complete that sentence.” The words come across more forceful than intended, surprising even me.

I step around the table next to her and reach into the bag. My hand brushes against hers as we both reach for the small white container. We both freeze, and she pulls her hand away, brushing a strand of hair around her ear. This close, I see the blush that I suspect is usually hidden beneath her dark skin.

“I didn’t realize you had reached the obsessed-with-me stage so soon.”

I tell myself she’s joking, and part of me wishes she wasn’t. I tap the can of soda in front of her. “Says the woman drinking a beverage called Dr Pepper.”

“I’ll have you know, me and the doctor have a long history.” She scoops up half of the turkey sandwich and a napkin and nods toward the couch, seeking permission.

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