Page 37 of Forgot to Tell You Something

“I want to pinch myself. It has to be a dream. Happiness like this cannot exist in the real world.”

“Yes, it can. It does, and you’re proof of that. I call dibs on being maid of honor.” Her phone sounds in her pocket. “Time to get back. Dr. Watts will be rounding with our new cardiac savior soon.”

“Let’s hope he is all that, and more.”

I can hope, right? I’m not sure why the idea of meeting the new interventional cardiologist has me tied up in knots. I get on wonderfully with most of the doctors here at Memorial. I respect their talent, and they—some more grudgingly than others—respect mine. Hell, some of my constant companions in the happy hour department are cardiologists. Let’s hope this new addition is ready to jump in and get his hands dirty, instead of preening in his ivory tower.

It takes all kinds to run a hospital.

I glance at the clock. Fifteen minutes until showtime, but my punctual ass is always early. That, and Dr. Watts wants me to meet the man of the hour before the rest of the staff.

My phone buzzes in my hand. It’s Owen.

Tally, I need to speak with you. Please. Call me as soon as you can.

I dial his number, strolling down the back hallway to the conference room. I hear a cellphone ringing as I near the door, but it’s the ringtone that stops me.

It’s‘Girlfriend in a Coma’ by the Smiths, Owen’s ringtone for me.

Yes, I’m well aware that some might consider it morbid, but it’s our inside joke, and besides, the song kicks ass. But that isn’t what concerns me right now.

I push open the door and see Owen standing there, a cup of coffee in his hand.

“Owen? What in the world are you doing here?” How in the hell did he get back here? It’s only accessible with a badge. Maybe he really is a world-class burglar.

“Tally, can we talk?” My man looks positively stricken, and all I can deduce is that something happened to his mother.

“Is your mom okay?”

Owen nods, but he doesn’t get to say anything more.

“Lu, there you are.” Our medical director, Dr. Watts, strolls into the conference room. “I see you’ve met the surprise.”

“What?” I ask, scrunching my nose in confusion.

Dr. Watts motions toward Owen, a smile on her face. “My surprise to Memorial. This is Dr. Stevens.”

I’m a nurse. I’m prepared for all manner of emergency. I juggle stress and the fine line of life and death every day.

I’m not prepared for this. My knees buckle, but I catch myself on the edge of the table. I’m quick, but not quick enough. Owen is by my side, his gray eyes wide and terrified.

“Dr. Stevens?” I choke out, praying I heard our illustrious leader wrong.

“Yes,” Dr. Watts confirms, destroying my world with one syllable. “Dr. Stevens is a top-notch interventional cardiologist. Remember the robotic procedure you and I discussed at the last function? He helped spearhead the development of that robot. We are beyond blessed to have him working with us at Memorial.”

“Dr. Stevens?” It’s all I can say, my mind swirling along with the coffee in my stomach.

“Lu, are you feeling alright?” Dr. Watts places her hand on my arm, shooting me a look of concern.

“I’m a bit lightheaded. I need some water.” What Ireallyneed is an escape. I need to run far away from this place—and this man—and never return.

“I’ll get it.” Owen dashes to the water cooler, pressing the cup into my hands. How chivalrous of him. The lying lech.

Dr. Watts’s pager sounds, and she glances at it. Crap, I know that look. She’s got an emergency. As the chief of staff, her working life is nothingbutemergencies. “Dr. Stevens, I apologize. I have to deal with a situation in the emergency department. Perhaps, after Lu is back to rights, she’ll take you on the tour. She knows the hospital like the back of her hand.”

“I don’t think…” It’s all I can manage.

“Be a pal, Lu,” Dr. Watts beseeches. She’s lucky I love her. Granted, her new cardiology addition might not make his first procedure. I’d rather kill him first.

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