Page 23 of Forgot to Tell You Something

“Great. So, I’m fucked, basically.”

Dan shrugs, topping off my drink.Keep them coming, please.“I don’t know. I know she doesn’t date doctors, but then again, she also doesn’t date. The way she’s opened up to you is surprising.”

I’ll cling to that sliver of hope with both hands. “So, there’s a chance?”

“I hope so. You seem like a nice guy, but Tallulah is a tough nut to crack. She’s stubborn as hell.”

Actually, she’s soft as hell, I bemuse, recalling the feel of her ass beneath my palms. “Can we keep quiet about my job, just until I figure out how to broach it? I’ve never encountered this scenario before.”

“You’ve never encountered someone like Tallulah before.”

Understatement of a lifetime. “She’s amazing, which is why I don’t want to mess this up.”

“The woman is gold. Seriously.” Dan rubs his chin, his gaze bouncing between me and the bar. “I’ll keep quiet. For now. But understand that my loyalty lies with her. If she asks, I won’t lie. And don’t make me be the one to tell her.”

I hold up my hands in mock surrender. “Understood. Let me earn Tally’s trust, and hopefully, I can convince her to give one more doctor a chance.”

“It’s a big hospital, so there’s a possibility you’ll never see her. What kind of doctor are you again?”

“Interventional cardiologist.” I smile at his confused expression. “I work in the cath lab.” More confusion. “I work with heart patients.”

“Ah, why didn’t you say so?” Dan smirks before his face clouds. “Shit, I’m pretty sure Tallulah works in the cardiac unit.”

Well, shit. I release a groan, downing another swallow of my drink. What are the chances? “That figures.”

Dan leans on the bar, his face earnest. “Since you’re a heart doc, can I ask your opinion?”

I chuckle, although it’s tinged with nerves at Dan’s revelation. “You can ask, but I’m not sure I can answer it.” I’m used to being questioned on all manner of medical topics—everything from dermatology to brain surgery. You would think it would act as a deterrent when I mention my area of expertise. It doesn’t.

“My mom, she needs her valve replaced. I’m not sure which one. Begins with an A, I think—”

“Aortic valve?”

Dan snaps his fingers, smiling at me. “Yes. But she is terrified of open-heart surgery. Her friend died on the table, and no amount of prodding on my part can change her mind. So, she’s refusing the procedure, which Tallulah highly advised against. But Tally also mentioned that Memorial is expanding, creating some hybrid operating room for high-risk heart patients. Hell, she mentioned that there will even be robots involved. It sounds like science fiction to me, but since you’re a heart doctor, I thought you might have heard of it.”

It’s uncanny. I’ve never felt both pride and nausea in the same breath. The robotic procedure and hybrid lab to which Dan is referring, I helped to spearhead. I’m damn proud of my works, and it’s a big reason Memorial was champing at the bit to hire me. The downside? If Tally is keen on the details of the hybrid lab, she’s not only a cardiac nurse, she’s a cath lab nurse. She works in the same unit I’m about to head up.

Life is so damn unfair.

“So...have you heard of it?” Dan presses, and I clear my throat, downing the rest of my drink.

“Actually, that robot is why I’m here.” At his narrowed stare, I explain. “I was part of the original team of interventionists who brought the idea to life.”

“Holy shit. You’re a genius.”

“No, far from. I work my ass off, and I love what I do.”

Dan hands me another drink, waving away my credit card. “No way. You’re a hero, man. Your money is no good here.”

“Tally, as a nurse, is a far bigger hero than I could ever be.” I lay the card on the bar. “Take the money.”

He relents with a sigh, chewing my ear for the next few minutes with questions about the procedure’s side effects and efficacy. From his viewpoint, I’m a godsend. “You’re a wealth of information. Now I can talk to my mother about the damn surgery.”

I jump when a hand settles on my arm, turning to see Tally behind me, a curious look on her face. “Shit. You startled me, Darlin.”

I slide an arm around her waist, pulling her close and tucking my head against her neck. She’s got the most intoxicating scent on the planet. God, I could eat her for days.

“I didn’t mean to scare you,” Tally states, putting a bit of space between us. “I overheard your conversation with Dan. That’s some impressive medical knowledge.”

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