Page 78 of Offside Attraction

Rhonda made a beeline back to the bathrooms. She grabbed two paper towels and wet them with cold water, then pressed them to her neck and shoulders. After her breathing slowed, she washed her hands twice and stared at herself in the mirror.You have nothing to lose with Rocky Ridge.

She chewed on Jordan’s words. What would she say to Doctor Mallory? If she didn't give a damn whether he let her into his hospital or not?

Jordan was right. After tonight, it didn't seem like she was any closer to convincing him.

Rhonda straightened and dried her hands. She walked back into the ballroom and for the first time in a week felt solid on her own feet. She wound through the tables until she found her seat.

Doctor Hughes leaned over. "I'm sorry. Jordan said he had to go. Said he has an early shift in the morning."

Rhonda nodded and picked up her purse and wrap. She fumbled inside her bag for her coat check ticket, then swiveled in her seat. The auction was still going on, but nobody at her table was obviously bidding, their paddles sitting flat on the table next to them.

Rhonda lifted her chin, her tone steady and composed. “Dr. Mallory, I understand the importance of exercising caution when considering new pharmaceuticals—especially when patient costs and institutional risks are at stake. I also understand that not every new drug lives up to its initial promise over time. But the decisions you make directly impact thousands of patients across the Calgary area, and those decisions carry profound weight.”

She paused, drawing a measured breath before continuing. “There are people out there suffering needlessly who could benefit from this treatment. I fully respect the significance of your position and the responsibility it entails. By all means, share the available information with your patients and present them with the pros and cons. But refusing to explore a promising pharmaceutical outright because of the possibility of being wrong isn’t prudence—it’s stagnation.”

Dr. Mallory blinked, clearly taken off guard, but she didn’t give him a moment to interject. “You’ve said you’ve reviewed the research, and perhaps you have. But I’ve yet to encounter another treatment option for addiction that demonstrates this level of efficacy. If there’s a superior alternative in your hospital’s formulary, I’d love to hear about it. Otherwise, patients leaving your operating rooms every day are struggling with opioid addiction, and this represents a chance to help them.”

Her voice softened, but her resolve remained firm. “Sure, some patients may decide not to pursue this option due to cost, just as many patients decline elective surgeries. But we still provide them with the information to make an informed choice. I’ll send the research to your email for a third and final time. Whether you review it and respond is up to you, but this is the last time I’ll be reaching out.”

Rhonda scanned the table. "It was lovely meeting all of you. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season." She scooped her bag and wrap into her arms and strode out into the hall.

Chapter

Twenty-Three

Jordan

Jordan had beenall confidence on Monday night. Something about the way Rhonda had been desperate for him in the hall at the Founder’s Event made him feel powerful. In control.

But Tuesday morning, he'd woken up in a cold sweat. Rhonda hadn't texted him. Not that he'd expected her to.

But he'd kind of expected her to.

Maybe he’d pushed too far? Made too many demands?

He rolled out of bed and jumped in the shower. He only had five minutes if he wanted time to make eggs for breakfast, but he wanted to stand there for an hour.

He'd come home on cloud nine, high on the euphoria of feeling a genuine connection. But he'd been in this exact place before. Sonia had a thousand moments of vulnerability, and then she sealed back up like a lockbox.

That was almost worse. If she never would have opened up, he never would have been able to convince himself to stay hooked. The constant whiplash had almost destroyed him. The only reason he could still be in contact with Claire was because he wasn't in a romantic relationship with her.

Everything he’d said to Rhonda was true. He didn’t want to be that guy. Not with her. He couldn’t put his finger on why it felt different, but it was.

Rhonda was pure energy. Her mind went places his didn’t. When he was with her, it was like the record he’d been listening to had been flipped over to secret, alternate tracks.

He’d never been with a woman who was so intuitively herself. She knew what she wanted, not only sexually, but in every aspect of her life. It was like a drug to him. Not having to guess, watching her dive into her own pleasure and grab her goals by the balls.

That was why he’d never gotten Medicine Hat out of his head. Why he’d tripped over himself to get her out to the parking lot in Okotoks. Why he’d given her his number on a napkin.

Jordan got out, dried himself off, then put on his scrubs and walked into the kitchen. He heated up olive oil, cracked two eggs in the pan, and then scrambled them. He shouldn't have gone to the event.

He'd been in such a logical headspace for the past week. Then Rhonda had shown up at his door, and he'd had to endure her wearing his jacket and looking up at him with her dark eyes, saying things like, "I want to know your name."

He was cooked.

Jordan ate before the eggs had fully cooled off and burned the inside of his mouth. He hurriedly brushed his teeth, threw on his coat, and hoped his erection would fade by the time he got to the lobby.

He rode the elevator down to the street and scraped off his windshield. The streets were clear, and he arrived at the hospital with just enough time to grab a coffee. His morning rounds went quickly, which he was grateful for since he had a shift at urgent care later that night.

---