Page 112 of Aching for His Discretion

“Now I don’t know what to think. I was manipulated by him before, and even after seeing the signs, I ignored them. What if it’s happening again? What if I fall into the same kind of relationship that drove us apart?” I said.

The boys shared a glance toward one another as they remained silent.

I went to speak again when I heard a gasp behind me. Turning, I noticed Abbie and Emma coming in with their lunch, and I rolled my eyes at them.

“Aren’t you two supposed to be in the clinic?” I asked, and Emma shrugged.

“We wanted to come have lunch with you. Besides, it’s slow anyway,” she said.

I would have responded if I hadn’t been so focused on Abbie, who was making googly eyes at the guys.

“Hi, guys,” she said, smiling, and they gave her a wave, used to her tactics. I narrowed my eyes as Elliot, in particular, seemed to have trouble keeping his eyes on her as she moved into the camera. I turned my phone away, and she gasped once again.

“Abbie, what are you doing?” I asked, and she shrugged, feigning innocence.

“What, Teegs? I’m just making conversation,” she said harmlessly, and I rolled my eyes as Emma sat across from me.

“Conversation, my ass…”

She rolled her eyes, and Abbie glared at Emma for making a sly comment.

“Abigail, you know you’re basically flirting with my brothers right now,” I said, confused.

She groaned as she crossed her arms. “It’s not my fault your brothers are hot!” she reasoned before she dejectedly sat beside me as she took a bite of her lunch with a pout.

Reluctantly, I sighed and placed her back into the camera’s view.

Her face immediately lit up, and I rolled my eyes as they began to converse. Emma pretended to stick her finger in her mouth to mimic the action of wanting to throw up, and I giggled at her antics as the chaos continued.

Needing to step away to run to the bathroom, I handed Abbie my phone. “Try not to scare them off, Abnormal.”

She gave me a look. “Scare them off? Please, they love the attention. Am I right, boys?!” She smiled, and Elliot took a sipof water as Nico and Micah agreed with mischievous smiles on their faces.

Deciding to let it go, I walked out of the breakroom to do my business. On my way out and back to the girls, I stopped in my tracks as I noticed one of the physicians who constantly checked in on me.

“Hi,Dr. Lombardi.”I smiled, and he looked up from his phone as he heard my voice. He returned my smile as he approached me, placing it in his pocket.

“Dr. Monroe. Hiding away from the clinic, I see?” he asked, and I sighed.

“Would you tell on me if I was?”

“Oh, I could never rat out my favorite resident.”

I hummed. “Hmm, well, in that case, the truth is I am on my lunch break, but my coworkers are running from the clinic.”

“Why am I not surprised?” he uttered, shaking his head as I laughed. “Did you have breakfast this morning?” he asked, concerned, and I sighed, the smile still on my face. This was a very regular occurrence with him. He always wanted to know if I had eaten, rested enough, felt stressed or overwhelmed, everything.

I made the mistake of telling him I was hungry once, and he forced me to take my lunch early. Yeah, he was a bit overprotective of us residents, but I appreciated him for it.

“Yes, I did. And I had dinner last night. I also have three protein bars on me currently,” I said, and he chuckled.

“Atta girl. Keep me updated if you guys get busy a little later. I’ll be in my office.”

“Will do. Thank you, sir.” I smiled, and he nodded.

“Anytime, Dr. Monroe,” he said before heading back to his office.

I rejoined Abbie and Emma, who were still engrossed in their conversation with the guys on my phone.

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