Page 49 of Texting Dr. Stalker

“Hey!” I stood, trying to snatch it back. Bracing against me, he curled himself over my phone and scrolled quickly through the text thread.

I snarled, “Do you mind?”

Tossing me the phone back, he smirked and headed to the coffee pot. “Just making sure you’re not going to jail. Yet.”

“Christ, don’t even joke.”

Pouring himself a cup, he sat down at the table and gave me a genuine smile. “How’re you doing? Judging by her replies, she seems to have accepted her friendly neighbourhood stalker.”

Sinking into my chair, I groaned at the ceiling. “If anyone is going to get me in trouble, it’s you. Keep your damn voice down.”

“You’re right.” Leaning forward, he dropped his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “So…tell me. Is she already in love with you and ready to see the man behind the screen or are you still going along with this?”

“How on earth could she be in love with me? She doesn’t evenknowme.”

“She’s known you her entire life, dickhead.”

“You know what I mean. Him. X.” I flicked a glance at the door and whispered, “Her friendly neighbourhood stalker.”

Sipping his coffee, he eyed me. His smile fell a little as he no doubt noticed the sleep deprived lines making me look every bit of my lie of thirty-four. I scratched my clean-shaven jaw self-consciously. “What?”

He sighed heavily. “You’re doing it again.”

“Doing what?”

“Sacrificing your own health for another’s. What have we talked about?” Pointing at me, he scolded. “Remember the oxygen mask rule? You can’t help others unless you help yourself.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Don’t yeah, yeah me.” Dropping his palm on the table, the loud smack made both of us flinch. “I think it’s good that you’re connecting with her, but I also don’t like that you’re staying up all night watching her or sacrificing your own mental health by falling for this girl all while she falls for someone who isn’t you.”

“There’s no falling involved. We’re just…friends. Not even friends. I’m just helping.”

“There’s that word again, Zan. You and helping isn’t a good mix. It’s great when you’re on the payroll and got your scrubs on but outside of this place?” He arched an eyebrow. “You need to have better balance.”

I sighed.

I wanted to argue but…he was right.

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I nodded. “Fine.”

Cupping his ear, he leaned into me. “I didn’t hear you. What did you say?”

I chuckled. “I said I’ll work on getting better balance, jackass.”

“Good boy.” Grabbing his empty cup, he headed toward the sink. “I’m hosting the monthly poker night at my place on Saturday. You’ll be there, right?”

My watch erupted with an alarm, reminding me I needed to check on my patient in recovery. Following him from the staffroom, I nodded. “I’ll be there.”

“And you won’t stand me up if your little damsel needs help?”

“Ah well, I can’t promise that.” I slapped him on the back. “After all, I’m providing a service.”

“You could always bring her. Markus and Oscar are bringing their wives. They’re planning on drinking cocktails on the balcony while we men gamble and drink beer.”

“Somehow, I can’t see that happening.”

He sighed dramatically. “Not as X no. But as Zander…it could.”

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