Page 43 of Doctor Charmer

The erratic hours of an ER physician, the enticement of moving to a big city too strong a pull, an ex returning to their lives—there’s always been a reason. Never a reason for them to stay. Twenty years of dating with the same outcome. So forgive me for placing my heart deep inside a cement tomb and surrounding it with charm barricades.

And even then, two years ago, I tried again. Even with my history. I unearthed my heart and put it on a plate, admitting to Angie my feelings for her. One final swing at the prize. She knew me. Had known me for over a decade. Yet, that wasn’t enough for her to choose me over a man she had just met.

That was the final wake-up call for me. That’s when I stopped dating. Two years. Until last night. “Does it really matter? After tomorrow, none of it will matter. We have a new person in HR, and they’ve escalated. I’m on the radar of the head of the hospital.”

“It matters.” She continues to fight a battle I have no interest in fighting. Not when there’s a more pressing battle in front of us.

“It won’t. Louise has had me in her scope from the moment she moved into the position.”

“Not surprising, given the whispers in the hospital about your reputation. And you wonder how you got on her radar.” The corners of her eyes wrinkle in frustration. “If she knew you, the real you, she might actually have let this pass.”

“Too late for that. It’s been escalated. All the way up to the head of the hospital.”

Ivy taps a finger to her chin in thought. I’ve turned this problem every which way and back. Ivy doesn’t know thestructure of the hospital, the players, the rules. But she’s proven in a short time how perceptive she can be.

Angie is right: I never ask for help. Maybe Ivy can show me the way.

“If this woman knowingly lies on an HR form, knowing what it could mean… Why don’t you just sign and submit and let the cards fall as they might? She’s an adult. She is obviously okay with flouting rules, including breaking marriage vows. She’s put you in an impossible position and probably has no clue what you’re doing. Am I right?”

Like I said, perceptive. I nod.

“Don’t go down with her.”

Ivy gives me the same advice I know Angie would if I brought this mess to her doorstep.

“I won’t do that. Dr. Harriman has messed with her head. He’s whispered so many lies in her ears she’s not acting in her own best interest. He told her what she wanted to hear just to get what he wants. It’s what us men do.”

“Don’t you dare lump yourself in that category, Reggie. Not with him.”

“How can you say that with such conviction? Ten hours ago, you thought I might be in another relationship, guilty of the same offense. You stormed out of my office believing that.”

She lays her palms flat on the top of the table. “I left because I knew you weren’t being truthful. I knew you were hiding something. You refused to talk, just like you are doing with HR. They know you are hiding something, and unless you come clean, they will have to assume the worst. They can’t walk out the door, so they’ll have no choice but to have you walked out.”

I can’t fault her logic. “You might want to consider a career in law if this whole volleyball thing doesn’t work out.”

“You first. You’re the one that might be looking for another career.”

“Touché.”

“So, my brilliant argument isn’t working, is it?”

I shake my head. “I have to protect her until she can open her own eyes.” I should feel defeated, but I feel the opposite. I realize that for the first time in three years, the load I’ve been carrying is a tad lighter because I’ve shared my secret.

“Protecting others is your love language,” Ivy says, pushing away from the table and standing. “It just so happens to be mine as well.”

Ivy pushes back and steps around the table. She doesn’t stop until her arms are wrapped around my neck, a warm kiss on my neck. “A good man.” This time, her whisper is meant for my ears.

“We have about sixteen hours. What are we going to do about this?” Ivy dives in and immediately picks up the baton, happy to join my team to help figure out my problem. I already know she’ll be a wonderful teammate. But I’ve yet to draw up a game plan.

I give her a quick kiss on her cheek and wave her back to her chair to eat. She quirks a brow. “What’s the plan?”

I shrug. “I don’t have a clue.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Ivy

“I’m not letting you anywhere near him.” Reggie huffs out a breath when I share with him my brilliant plan. The solution was so obvious it is a wonder he hadn’t thought of it years ago.

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