“What?”

“She said, and I quote: ‘My dad says I have to get a job or he’s going to cut me out of his will. This was the only thing I could come up with.’ End quote,” she says, giggling.

I roll my eyes. “Oh my. How long did she last?”

She purses her lips as she looks up at me. “Longer than you’d think. She finished her externship and then was hired. She worked here for three years before she took a position in another city.”

“Wow. I’m surprised she didn’t quit after the first week.”

“Apparently her dad was some bigwig in the oil industry. She wanted to stay in his will.” She laughs and goes back to counting. A little while later, she says, “Ninety-six.”

“So, is there anyone around here I need to look out for or stay out of their way?”

Val has to drop down a shelf, so she plops down on the floor, crossing her legs beneath her.

“We’re all friendly for the most part. Cassy can be a little jealous if you have something she wants. That includes nights and weekends off, promotions, or even praise from a higher-up. She’ll be the first one to throw you under the bus if she feels like it can get her something. Watch yourself around her.”

I nod. “Got it.”

“I try to stay out of Dr. Cole’s way, too. He’s not vindictive like Cass, but he will mow you over if he’s had a bad day and you get in his way.”

“Is he the older one with the dark hair who was out in the hallway earlier?” I use the end of my pen to point toward the hallway.

“The good-looking one who’s starting to go gray around the temples? Yes.” She grins and nods. “I would’ve introduced you then, but he was too busy yelling at Taylor like she can predict the future.” She snorts and laughs before returning to her count.

The good-looking oneplays over and over in my head.

While that’s not the way I would describe him, that doesn’t mean I disagree. He’s rather good-looking for a much older man.

If it wasn’t for the fine lines at the corners of his eyes and the gray hair around his temples, I’d never have thought he was that much older than me.

My mind paints an image of him from the hallway this morning. He was standing at the nurses’ station, looking good in black joggers, running shoes, and a white lab coat. His skin is tan like he spends hours in the sun, and his hair is dark. His hair is short at the back and sides, and longer up top. It has a slight curl and it’s just long enough to run your fingers through. His jaw is square, and his brows were furrowed as he glared at the nurse in front of him.

I was just walking into a patient’s room when he turned away from the desk, giving me a quick shot of his fitted blue T-shirt and broad chest.

He’s not what I’d consider an old man. He takes care of himself and puts an effort into his appearance, but he isn’t the stuffy type who will only work in a suit and tie.

“Hello? Earth to Ally. Did you hear me?”

“Sorry, what?” I snap out of my thoughts and look down at her.

She smirks. “I said a hundred-and-two.” Her brows arch as she looks up at me.

I nod. “Got it.” I write the number on the line, hoping that she only gave me the one number. I haven’t been thinking about this strange man for that long, have I?

“You’re blushing,” she says, grinning.

“I am not,” I argue, but I can feel how hot my face has become.

“You sooooo are.” She stands up and puts one hand on her jutted-out hip. “You think Dr. Cole is a hottie,” she teases.

In the same instant, the door to the storage closet opens and Dr. Hottie himself steps into the room and turns to look at us.

Val doesn’t see who’s entered yet, so she’s moved on to making kissy noises.

“Dr. Hottie—I mean, Dr. Cole,” I correct, forcing out the words to greet him so Val understands he’s present.

She immediately stops making the noises and turns to look at him. My face is burning hotter than ever because he heard everything.