Page 23 of Undeniably Enemies

“Jack Kincaid.”

He nods. “Good. Good. He’s an excellent doctor, and we’ve only had good reports about him, unlike a few of the others.”

That gets my attention.

“Is there someone I should steer clear of?”

He chuckles. “I’m not allowed to say anything, Wren.”

“But I’m your favorite.”

“You are.” He sighs. “This is between us, but I’m glad you’re with Dr. Kincaid and not Dr. Marshall. He… has a tendency to take a special interest in some of his female students. That’s all I’m saying, and we’ll leave it there.”

Callan and Layla both subtly mentioned this about him, and that’s another reason Callan put me with Jack. It’s also already been noted by me. There are men in this world who automatically set off your creep meter, and Dr. Marshall is one of them. He hasn’t tried anything, but he thinks about it and doesn’t bother hiding it.

“Got it. Dr. Kincaid is fine as a supervisor.”

There must be something in my tone because Joe grins as if he’s onto me. “Attendings are meant to be tough. It’s how doctors learn best.”

Considering like eighty-five percent of my family are doctors or in the medical field, I already know this. He knows I know this.

“Of course,” I go with.

“Are you still set on trying to match here in Boston?”

“Absolutely.”

“And is MGH still your first pick?”

It was. When I first moved back here for med school, it was what I had my heart and mind set on. That sentiment only grew after what happened to me with Theo. Then Jack moved back home and started working there, and now there are rumors that Callan is stepping down as chief, so I’m not sure anymore.

But for now, I say, “I think so.”

His smile grows. “Excellent. I don’t think you’ll have a problem getting into the program you want. Your grades aretop-tier, and as you know your family name carries a lot of weight in this city. Not to mention a stellar recommendation from your adviser.” He winks.

“Thank you.”

“It’s my pleasure, Wren. Being your adviser these years has been a treat. You are one of the more gifted students I’ve had the pleasure of working with, and I’m excited to see where your career will go.”

I stand and give him a hug. The man is like a second grandfather to me. “Thank you, Joe. I appreciate all you’ve done for me here.”

“Anytime. You know that.” He rolls his wrist to check his watch. “We didn’t have our full hour together. Is there anything else you need to discuss?”

“No, I’m good. I have somewhere I have to be that I don’t want to be late for.”

“Sure. Text or email if you change your mind, and as you know, my door is always open. I’ll check up on you near the end of your rotation.”

I throw him a wave as I head for the door. “Bye, Joe. Have a good rest of your week.”

Every Tuesday at four, I have my mixed martial arts class, and I haven’t missed one yet. Sometimes I run on the treadmill after. Sometimes I just go home. But I don’t miss my Tuesday nights here. I hop in my car and hit up my favorite coffee spot. Armed with caffeine, I drive down to the gym and sit in my car while I drink my coffee and scroll through my phone.

Tinsley texts me, and we go back and forth for a bit. She asks me about how today was with Jack, and I tell her an abbreviated version. But after I hit send, I flip over to the text chat I had the other night with my mystery guy. I’ve resisted the urge to text him again. I don’t even know why I’m still curious. It’s likely just a guy I met one night in college, probably at a party or in one of my classes, and it didn’t go anywhere.

Still, I like that he kind of flirted with me. I also like that he remembered me even if I didn’t remember him. It was fun to text him because he’s not in front of me. He’s not here. It was easier to let go a little when I was alone and safe in my apartment. I haven’t been able to have a relationship since Theo, and sex has been a mess. I wasn’t sexually assaulted, but my trust factor is zero and I haven’t been able to resurrect it. I never bring anyone home. I never go to their place either.

Boys in high school only got close to me because I was a Fritz, and my best friends were Tinsley Monroe and Mason Reyes. Mason comes from football royalty and Tinsley music royalty. Money and fame. I had that, and that’s all those boys saw. In college, a drunk frat boy tried to win a bet and take my virginity. He didn’t care that I said no, but thankfully a friend came in and stopped it before he could succeed.

Then Jack broke my heart.

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