Page 13 of Just Is Not Enough

“Good morning, Dr. Parker! Did you get some good rest last night?” Kelsey disguises her question as small talk instead of concern for the shadows that have begun to form under my eyes.

“Feeling good, thanks for asking. Solid seven hours, can’t complain,” I lie to ease her worrying.

She’s not fooled but carries on with a slight nod. She shows me what’s on the books for today. Full day ahead of me to keep busy and stop my mind from wandering. Sounds good to me.

Noticing the four o’clock time slot this afternoon causes me to catch my breath.

New Patient: Alden Stonewood

It takes me a few seconds to register the first name on the list. I shake the intrusive thoughts of Luke trying to make their way into my head, then finish prepping for the day with Kelsey before making my way back to my office.

Lanie mentioned Jackson’s last name during a conversation with our parents last week at Sunday dinner. I absolutelydid notremember it for any other reason than to know who my sister spends her time with, for safety reasons.

Sure, Kaden.

Fine, I may have stalked him on social media. I’m not proud of myself, but at least I learned he doesn’t really date. There were no photos of him with women, besides a few with two older women that looked more like a couple themselves. It seems his entire online presence revolves around food or building his restaurant. I can’t say I was upset by my findings.

I make it through the day without falling on my face from exhaustion. I managed to get a quick nap in on my lunch break, with my head nestled in my arms on my desk. Not the most comfortable way to rest, but when you’re desperate you can’t be picky.

I’m about to leave my office to go into my final appointment for the day, when two hygienists coming down the hallway whispering and giggling, draw my attention.

“Did you see his eyes? Gorgeous!” Amanda whispers to Courtney.

“His eyes? I was too distracted by those biceps covered in tattoos, and don’t even get me started on that ass,” Courtney makes a ‘oof” sound, fanning herself when they walk past my door.

“Good afternoon, ladies.” They startle, hastily turning around to face me realizing I heard their conversation about a patient.

“Uh, Hi Dr. Parker. Your last appointment is waiting in Room 3 for you,” Amanda rattles off nervously.

“Thank you, Amanda,” I reply with a stern look from one to the other, reminding them to use discretion while patients are still in the building. They know better than this. With a nod they both scurry off to their stations. I hate being a hard ass at work, but things like that could get us all in trouble had the patient overheard them instead of me.

I grab the clipboard from the bin outside Room 3 as I walk in to meet my new patient.

I only get two steps into the room when I freeze in place, staring into those same jade green soul stealers that have haunted my dreams for the past month.

“Hey, Just the Brother. Fancy meeting you here.”

What the fuck?

Chapter Twelve

My Day Can’t Get Any Better Than This

Luke

ThestunnedlookonKaden’s face was worth the wait to see him. When I called for an appointment with his office, the scheduler said they were booked solid for over a month for new patients. My appointment was set for mid-February. I was excited when I got a call on Monday asking if I’d like this time slot, two weeks earlier than my original one, when they had a cancellation. I wanted to see him so badly, but didn’t want to ask Jackson or Lanie for his number. I definitely wasn’t going to approach him randomly outside his office, because that’s not weirdat all.

I’m not proud of how much I’ve stalked him on social media and searching the internet, trying to learn everything I can about him. I couldn’t help myself. Late nights working on planning and building the restaurant has me coming home wired, sleep nowhere in sight until I unwind from the busy days. Lying in bed getting to know Kaden from afar was better than doom scrolling any day.

The photos on his social media do not do him justice. In his current state of shock, he’s still gorgeous. The scrubs he’s wearing make him seem younger than when we first met. His face now void of any color tells me he’s already freaked out by me showing up here. I attempt, and fail, at avoiding checking him out. It’s too hard to stop ogling his physique, appreciating the view. He looksreallygood in those scrubs. I can’t help but notice how tired he looks though.

He slow blinks a few times, the shock finally wearing off, allowing him to form words once again, “Luke, what are you doing here? Did you lie about your name on my records, so I didn’t know it was you?” Kaden closes the door behind him, taking a few more steps into the room, finishing his last question when the door shuts completely.

“Not at all. Alden is my legal name, after my grandfather. Luke is my middle name, which much better suits me, don’t you think?” I flash my flirtiest grin his way.

He seems lost for words, an empty stare aimed at me.

“Don’t you need to ask me some questions? Past dental history? What brings me here today? Are there any family medical issues we should be concerned about? Aren’t those standard doctor questions?” I attempt to help him out past the awkwardness of the moment.

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