Page 61 of Taking Her Medicine

“I did some research, spoke to the hospital, pulled some strings… and I’m opening up my own practice.”

“You’rewhat?” My mouth fell open. “What does that mean?”

“It means I need to hire two nurses, a receptionist, a medical biller, and a medical coder.” Aaron winked. “Do you know anybody who might be able to fill some of those roles?”

“Me and Becca!” I jumped up and down, but then doubts crept into my brain. “Wait. Does that mean more hours for you, Daddy?”

“No, it should actually work out to less hours once everything is established. Come on, we’re going out to dinner. I want you in that sexy royal blue dress I saw hanging in your closet a few weeks ago.”

“You’ve been checking out my dresses?”

“Well, that one has this off-the-shoulder sleeve that drives me wild, so yeah. Hurry up. Go put it on and come back here. We have reservations at six.”

“What if I was busy tonight?” I meant it playfully, but my hip jutted out and Aaron waggled his eyebrows.

“Does my little kitten need a warm bottom before going out to eat?”

“No.” I rolled my eyes.

Shit.

He knew me better than I knew myself. “Maybe?”

Aaron slapped his palm against the lowest curve of my ass. “Let’s go to my room, sweetheart.”

“Yes, Daddy.” My heart soared at the idea of working with Aaron in a practice where he called the shots, and he seemed so happy at the idea of being in charge of an office.

Though my buns were about to be toasted, and I’d have a hard time sitting during dinner, I wouldn’t want it any other way. Things were working out the way they should.

Chapter 14

Aaron

I sat in the corner of the breakroom at the hospital and scarfed down a Greek yogurt along with trail mix. I hadn’t gotten a chance to eat yet, and there were still three hours left of my shift. Leeann wandered in after me and poured herself a cup of coffee. She leaned against the nearest table and stared at me as she drank. The coffee there was vile on a good day, but she sipped it like a fine wine. It must have been her first and only break. Halfway through the yogurt, I decided to hear what was on her mind.

“What’s up, Leeann?”

“Did Zoelle really leave the clinic because of me?”

“Like you care.” I dumped a handful of nuts and raisins into my mouth and scooped the rest of the yogurt out of the container, eating it like it was my last meal.

“I’m not the bad guy, Aaron.” She pouted and her lower lip trembled. “I wouldn’t want anyone to quit because of something I did.”

“It doesn’t matter now.” I stood up and threw out my trash. Moving to the coffee machines, I poured half a cup.

“When Derek walked out on me, you were the only person in the whole goddamn hospital who gave a shit about my well-being.” Leeann joined me at the counter as I sipped the barely drinkable sludge in my cup. “I’ve been trying to think of a way to make it up to Zoelle, but I don’t think she’ll even listen.”

“I’ll talk to her, but it doesn’t mean she’ll forgive you. I’m not particularly keen on you either, right now.”

She shook her head. “What would it take for you to forgive me?”

I stared down at her, searching for some sort of tell on her face, and I had no reason to believe that she was lying. “Answer me honestly. What’s your problem with Zoelle?”

“I saw the two of you arrive at the clinic together, and I’ve been jealous since then. It’s not about you, not really. I just wish I had someone as wonderful. Before that it was just because everyone else likes her so much.” She dropped her head to her chest. “I’ve seriously sucked as a nurse, as a friend, as any role I’m in right now. I don’t know why I did it, but it wasn’t right.”

“Zoelle and I have been friends for a long time. We’re together, and very happy. I’m not going to give anybody the chance to ruin it. If you want to be friends with me and have my forgiveness, you need to start by making it up to my girlfriend. Not some lame attempt to win her over, but genuinely tell her what was going on in your head.”

“I really fucked up. Zoelle is so pretty and so confident. I can’t carry myself the way she does. I suck at making friends—but I’m great at making enemies.”

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