Page 11 of Doctor's Surprise Twins

The elevator dings, and the doors open. I push forward, stepping out. I intend to talk straight through the quiet lobby, exit the hospital, and go straight home, but I catch a glimpse of Ally sitting on a bench near the elevator, and that makes me stop.

She has her back and head against the wall. Her eyes are closed, and her knees are pulled up.

I check the time on my watch. It’s after eight P.M. She should have left two hours ago.

What is she still doing here, and why is she just sitting there?

Go home, eat dinner, go to bed.That was my big plan. If I felt okay after eating, I was going to go a little wild and pour a drink to sip on while picking up where I left off last night with my research.

I didn’t plan to sit next to a woman I don’t know and pry into her personal business, but here I go, walking up to her.

I come to a stop before her, expecting her to notice me even though her eyes are closed. Surely, she could feel someone staring at her.

She doesn’t, so I clear my throat.

She jumps slightly and her eyes pop open, locking with mine as she forces herself to sit a little taller.

“What are you doing here? Your shift ended two hours ago.” I slip my free hand into the front pocket of my sweatshirt.

“Yeah, I know.” She takes a deep breath. “I just wanted to sit down for a minute. Figure some things out, you know?”

A puff of air escapes my nose as I turn and sit beside her. “Of course. The hospital lobby is where I like to sit and do all my thinking, too,” I deadpan.

I drop my bag onto the floor and scoot back on the bench, pressing my back against the wall. My shoulder touches hers and sends a long-forgotten jolt of electricity through me. It causes my breath to catch, but I clear my throat to cover it up.

“So, are you going to tell me why you’re really sitting here? Do you need a ride? Are you homeless?”

“No, it’s nothing like that.” She turns away so I can’t look into her eyes. Well enough, I suppose. I don’t need to if my shoulder touching hers brings my body to life in ways I haven’t experienced in years.

I wait a long moment, hoping she continues, but she doesn’t. “So, we’re just going to sit here all night?”

She sighs. “Why do you care?” She looks at me now with her brow arched.

“Honestly?”

She nods once.

“I have no clue.”

The hint of a smile plays at the corners of her sexy lips.

“All I know is that it’s your first day, and we’ve been losing nurses left and right. I see something when I look at you. I can tell you have what it takes. So, if something is wrong, I want to fix it before you walk out, because the next nurse who walks through those doors might not have what it takes.”

“I’m not a nurse.”

“Yet.”

“Ever. I don’t know what you think you see, but I don’t have it. I figured that out today.”

I frown as I look at her. “You mean with that code white?”

She gives me an incredulous look while nodding.

I wave my hand through the air. “That was nothing. That happens to everyone.”

“It’s not okay. That kid could’ve died.”

“He didn’t,” I correct.

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