Page 76 of Forgot to Tell You Something

Fuck. My floor, my unit. I tear out of the break room, grabbing the code cart as I race down the hallway.

Owen is already at the bedside, while another seasoned nurse administers compressions.

I fly into reactionary mode. It’s a gift and a curse. A gift because I’ve seen enough codes in my life to know the steps by heart. A curse for the same reason.

But today is a good day. Today, we get the patient back, with a few cracked ribs after some zealous compressions. Hey, a small price to pay for life. There’s a ton of activity during a code, but you get tunnel vision, focusing on the task at hand. The noise is a low roar in the background, existing in the periphery.

But once it’s finished, reality swoops back in, in vivid color. There’s also generally one hell of a mess to clean up, but again, a small price to pay. I send the opened code cart downstairs with a staff nurse and reorganize the patient’s room.

Owen left a few minutes after the patient stabilized, to write some new orders. At this point, he’s likely back in his office or rounding.

Or…visiting with Hot Doc, who is on this unit. Again.

“Some fancy work this afternoon,” Nicole coos, and I resist the urge to take a swing at her perfect button nose.

“It’s a team effort, Nicole.” Owen is cordial, but he doesn’t seem fixated by the gorgeous doctor’s ministrations. Lucky for him.

I, on the other hand, am captivated. I am also plotting her demise, but she’s far too involved with my boyfriend to notice.

Wait, did I just refer to Owen as my boyfriend?

Owen and I need to have a talk. I’m ready for our relationship to become public. That way, I can break Nicole’s neck is she looks at him again.

I’m joking. Kind of.

“You’re a natural leader and the way you sprang into action. Such talented hands.”

“Thank you,” Owen replies, his gaze focused on his phone.

So far, so good.

“I remember how talented they were the other evening.”

Oh, now the bitch has my attention. What other evening?

Owen shoots a look in my direction, and I’m sure he’s scalding under the intensity of my gaze. So, that’s what he’sbeen doing these last few days.

The lying, sorry son-of-a-bitch.

“Do you have plans tonight? Let’s get dinner.” Nicole edges closer to Owen’s side, but I’m not sure whose neck I want to wring more—his, hers, or my own for believing the man.

I don’t know what variety of dining Dr. Hedges is offering Owen tonight. A co-worker soiree or a ‘fuck me in the car’ dinner, but my stomach won’t let me stick around to find out. A wave of nausea overtakes me, and I turn, sprinting for the bathroom.

I splash water on my face, as my delusional side tries to convince my head that I have food poisoning or a stomach bug. Maybe it’s the concept that Nicole may be sleeping with the man I love. That’s it. We’ll use that logic.

I groan and head for the changing room. I’m beyond ready for this day to be over. Stick a fork in me, Memorial. I’m done.

I hear the door open behind me but pay it no mind. There are always people in and out of the locker room. Privacy is at a premium in a hospital.

“That was great work today, Tally.”

Inwardly, my body heats hearing Owen’s voice. Externally, I’m far more composed. At least, I hope I am. Likely not. “What are you doing in the women’s locker room?” I ask, not bothering to turn around.

“Trying to catch you alone for a few minutes.”

“Why is that?”

“Maybe because I miss you, and I want to talk to you.”

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