Page 40 of The Chance

“He’s just wanting?—”

“Sex? To seduce you?”

“Well, yes. That he needs the challenge or something.” That was her biggest fear. That it was just casual to him. That she would get all wrapped up in him, and then something would happen. And everything would just… go away. Even though she didn’t think that was the kind of man he was at all. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to do just casual, Gen. I am not hardwired that way.”

“Honestly? I don’t think Guthrie is, either. He’s dated, yes. But he hasn’t been serious about anyone in four years. Mary-Kate did a nasty number on him. And he was serious about her. Very serious. He was thinking rings, Aub. She hurt him. He changed after her. Became more serious. I think the entire experience with her showed him what he really wanted.” Genny leveled a look at her. One the brother in question was good at giving, too. “I suspect he’s found what he’s looking for. So… what are you looking for in return?”

That was the big question.

Guthrie Hiller made her feel… excited. That OMG, did he just look at me/say that?, heart-racing young girl excited she hadn’t felt since she was… a young girl. Before a monster hurt her sister and changed her world forever.

That breathless she was the center of his world kind of feeling that she thought she would never feel again. Talk about completely terrifying.

“Your brother is the most confusing man on the planet.”

“No. Chad-wicked Fields takes that honor. But that’s one of the reasons I love him. He keeps me excited. Makes me feel… like I am his entire being, you know? And he is mine.” Genny looked down at the baby in her arms. Little Mira. “And someday we plan to expand our world a little bit. We’ve decided… four, maybe five.”

And Genny was happy. Aubrey understood that. Chad Fields loved and adored Genny. Just like Genny deserved.

Aubrey was just terrified to take that chance for herself. “Three. Four, maybe. If I have time.”

Genny grinned at her, looking very much like the brother they were discussing. “Better get started. You’re thirty now, you know. Of course, twins do run in our family. Might save you some time, if Guth can hit doubles like George did.”

“You are as insane as he is, aren’t you?”

“Of course. It’s a family thing.” Genny smirked again, then kissed the baby girl in her arms on her little forehead. “But… we do make really pretty babies. You’d better get prepared.”

31

Justin leanedagainst the counter in the ED again. He’d finished up with his last patient. He’d only stuck around because of the rumors—Aubrey Fisher was looking for something. Something in pharmaceutical records. And people were starting to throw out names.

Justin didn’t want his name to be one of those. He hadn’t really done anything wrong.

Aubrey Fisher was becoming a serious problem. She’d already pressed for audits in the ED and OB/GYN. Orthopedics and Trauma were probably next. They were just smaller departments. It was probably only a matter of time. Justin was the only orthopedic surgeon on staff at BCGH. And she already had a beef with him because of his drunken stupidity that night at the Barratt. Hell, Justin barely remembered all of what he’d said or done that night. Something Mandy had enjoyed lording over him.

Any discrepancies in his department and he was going to be fucked.

Justin was careful, but he could have missed something.

Aubrey was deep in conversation with one of the newer nurses. Aubrey had practically been at the hospital every minute since Hiller’s brother’s wife had been brought in two days ago.

Justin hadn’t been able to do anything he needed to do because of that particular nurse right there. She’d been watching him like a hawk since there had been that stupid incident a week ago with some opioids. He hadn’t meant to make a mistake, he’d just been worried, and not paying close attention.

Eva. Justin had certainly noticed her before. Beautiful, in an understated kind of way, an almost boring way. Not like Aubrey Fisher, of course. But very few women were.

Eva was just too quiet and unexciting for him to be interested. He preferred Mandy’s hot earthy sexiness over Eva’s classic look. Eva shot him a look, blue eyes widening. As she looked at him. In response to Aubrey’s last question.

This wasn’t good.

Aubrey repeated her question. She didn’t even look at Justin, and her tone was almost clinical. Still, it was enough to have Justin worried. He didn’t like the idea of anyone asking questions in his department at all.

Eva hesitated. “Not personally, Dr. Fisher. But, well… with everything going on, maybe something got missed. Things slip through sometimes.”

Justin stepped forward, interrupting before Aubrey could dig any deeper. She jumped. Like she hadn’t even realized he was back there now.

“Dr. Fisher, Eva.” Justin kept his gaze on the small brunette. He had a hard time meeting Aubrey Fisher’s eyes lately. “I was actually looking for Eva. About a patient, actually. It’s a bit pressing.”

Eva’s eyes widened. Like she didn’t want to be alone with him. She was a smart woman, observant. Fast on the uptake. If she had seen something, or found one of those old records…

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