Page 50 of The Beat of her Heart

The next morning came quickly, and Addie watched as Alex pulled up to drop Sophie off at school before taking her to the hospital. As she walked through the familiar hallways, her gaze instinctively searched for any sign of Giselle, but there was nothing.

Settling into her office, she went over herschedule, noting with a slight disappointment that she wasn’t paired with Giselle that day. She clicked through the patient charts, skimming details and preparing herself for the cases ahead, but her thoughts kept drifting back to the other surgeon.

A sudden voice interrupted her. “Giselle isn’t in today,” Madeline said, pausing by Addie’s desk with a knowing smile.

Addie glanced up, her heart sinking slightly at the news. “Oh,” she replied, keeping her tone casual.

“You know, I heard a few things,” Madeline added, leaning in conspiratorially. “Did you know Giselle’s parents are big-time doctors? She practically grew up in hospitals, or so they say. That’s part of why she transferred here.”

Addie forced a smile, not wanting to indulge in the gossip. “Thanks, Madeline, but I’d rather focus on the surgery today.”

Madeline raised an eyebrow, her grin unfazed. “Fair enough, though if you ever want to know more, you know where to find me.” She gave Addie a playful wink before walking off, leaving Addie with her conflicted thoughts.

In truth, she was curious. She wanted to know everything about Giselle—why she’d come here, what made her so guarded, and if there was something real between them or if it was just a fleeting connection. But the professionalism she’d promised herself to maintain kept her silent.

She shifted her attention back to the charts in front of her, even as her thoughts lingered on Giselle.

“Good morning.”

Addie turned, her heart giving a small leap as she heard Giselle’s voice behind her. There she was, calm and composed as always, with an unexpected warmth in her eyes.

“Giselle,” Addie managed, keeping her excitement in check. “I didn’t think you’d be in today.”

Giselle stepped closer, a slight smile tugging at her lips. “I was away for a bit, but I’m back now. You were talking about a case?”

Addie nodded, pulling the chart from her desk as she began to explain the details. “Yes, it’s a complex one—a high-risk surgery with a few variables we’re still not sure about. The patient’s vitals have been unstable.”

Madeline reappeared in the hallway, observing them with a knowing grin. “Well, aren’t we looking cozy this morning?” she teased, her gaze flicking between Addie and Giselle.

Addie forced a polite smile. “Madeline, if you’d excuse us, we have work to do.”

Madeline raised her hands in mock surrender, smirking. “Alright, alright. Don’t mind me.” She shot Giselle a playful wink before walking away, leaving them alone.

Giselle cleared her throat, her gaze returning to the chart. “Let’s ignore her. You were talking about the surgery?”

“Yes, right,” Addie said, relieved to refocus on the task. “I thought about adjusting the plan. We could improve the stability if we monitor the vitals closely, but it’s risky.”

Giselle nodded thoughtfully as she studied the notes. “You’re right. The adjustments could work, but we’ll have to be careful.”

Addie glanced at Giselle, warmth spreading in her chest at the concentration on her face. It was these moments, the quiet focus they shared, that made her wonder if there was more here than she’d first thought.She was drawn to Giselle, no doubt about it, but that’s not where their connection ended.

As their hands brushed over the chart, Addie felt a jolt of electricity. She glanced up, meeting Giselle’s gaze. There was a flicker of something in her eyes—an invitation, perhaps, or a shared understanding.

“Addie.” Giselle’s voice was barely a whisper, but the softness in it held Addie’s attention.

Addie’s heart raced, her pulse quickening as she leaned in. Giselle closed the distance, their lips meeting in a gentle, unspoken promise. The kiss was soft, lingering just enough to leave an impression.

Giselle pulled back, her gaze steady, though her expression held a hint of reluctance.

“Let’s get on with the surgery,” Addie said.

“Right.”

The rest of Addie’s day felt like it stretched far longer than usual.

After the surgery, the high-intensity focus the procedure demanded left her needing a moment to breathe, collect herself, and reset. Once she finished scrubbingout, she made her way to the cafeteria for a much-needed break.

The faint scent of coffee drifted through the air, comforting in its familiarity, as she ordered a simple meal, needing something to ground herself after the flurry of medical procedures.

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