Page 3 of The Enforcer

“Now, that was an unusual rehearsal dinner.”

As we stepped into the elevator heading down from the posh restaurant overlooking the bright lights of New York, I tipped my head toward Emily. She was not only one of the best nurses I’d ever worked with, she was also one of those friends I could count on for anything.

With a single phone call, she’d show up with copious bottles of wine, ice cream, and whatever snack she knew we’d indulge in while binge-watching chick flicks.

“Unusual?” I countered. “I was surprised Kat and her mother-in-law to be didn’t get into a cat fight.”

“God. That would have been cool to see. Kat can throw a mean punch,” Cora said. The four of us had commiserated over bad dates, bad food, and difficulties living in such a large city. Sadly, one of us was getting married, hitched to a man that would erase all Kat’s financial difficulties.

“Cool?” Emily snorted. “I would have taken bets. Kat would have easily won.”

“Did you see Sheldon’s reaction?” Cora tossed in. “He wanted to slink under the chair instead of coming to his fiancée’s defense. What a weasel. How could she marry a man with a name like Sheldon?”

I laughed as the elevator doors opened. “Sheldon Whitmore the fourth, need I remind you. He and his family have more money than God.”

As I stepped onto the marble floor, I mused over the fact Kat had fallen in love at all. She’d been the one who’d committed to swearing off men. Forever.

“Money isn’t everything,” Cora insisted.

“No, but it does help.” We were headed to the bar for a nightcap. After the near melee during the flaming lava cake, all three of us needed something to dull our senses.

“Who are you kidding? You’re the top cardiac surgeon in the city.” Emily flanked my side. “One day, you’ll find your prince. In the meantime, you can afford anything you want. If you weren’t such a curmudgeon.”

“I don’t know about the top. And I’m not stingy.” I’d yet to pay my dues, at least according to the hospital administrator.

Cora laughed. “Bullshit. You have a perfect life. Meanwhile, I’m on my third job this year.”

“Maybe you should curb your… caustic mouth,” I suggested.

She slapped my arm. “No fair.”

“Why don’t you girls go ahead. I’m going to freshen up. Order me one big, fat top shelf margarita.” The dinner had caused us all serious bouts of anxiety. Maybe if I refreshed my lipstick, I’d feel better. Or not.

“We’ll order a pitcher,” Emily said, laughing.

I searched for the restrooms, marveling at how my heels echoed on the cold, stark floor. The hotel was gorgeous, considered one of the finest in the city, but I’d never been comfortable in posh surroundings. I preferred cuddling up with a good book and a delicious glass of wine to partying like the lifestyle Kat had always wanted.

As I headed down the hallway, I thought about the ridiculous bridesmaid dress Kat had selected for us to wear. One day, if I ever found a man I could tolerate, I’d get her back with an even uglier design.

I was still chuckling to myself after using the bathroom and washing my hands, finally pulling out my lipstick to ensure my red-hot lips were just so. Satisfied, I walked out, hearing my phone chiming almost immediately. If there was some emergency in the hospital and I’d been called to help, I might go ballistic.

When was the last time I’d had off more than a day here and there? Two months ago. Maybe longer. I was still walking while fumbling to grab my phone. As soon as I turned the corner, I hit something solid, the force bouncing me back a few inches.

I snapped my head up to stare into the most insanely gorgeous pair of light blue eyes. They shimmered in the recessed lighting. His gaze was initially filled with annoyance, but that quickly shifted to something else entirely.

As if an involuntary action, he gripped both my arms to steady me and immediately, the shot of white-hot electricity jetting through me took my breath away.

I blinked twice before realizing the man was a force of nature. He stood at least six foot three, his broad shoulders perfectly accentuated by a dazzling dark suit tailored for his muscular body.

“Are you alright?” When he spoke, the deep tone resonated through every cell and muscle. I couldn’t recognize his accent, but it was decidedly European. With his dark, curly hair just hitting his white shirt collar, and his slightly darker complexion, he reminded me of a Greek god. When I didn’t answer immediately, he narrowed his eyes until his long, dark eyelashes were skimming across his sculpted cheeks.

“I’m… I’m fine.” I never stuttered and was rarely fazed by the looks of a man.

“I should have watched where I was going.”

“No, I was busy trying to retrieve my phone.” I suddenly didn’t care who’d called.

“I hope I didn’t require you to miss something important. Perhaps a call from your husband.”

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