Page 19 of The Beat of her Heart

“Giselle is unique,” Josephine said. “I think she’s one of the best surgeons I’ve ever seen.”

“You think?” Addie asked.

“Do I sense some jealousy?” Josephine teased.

Addie shrugged, then reached for hercoffee again. “I’m not jealous at all. I’ve seen her work, and I admire her skills.”

“But…?”

Josephine left the statement hanging. Addie cocked her head, but nothing was forthcoming. Eventually, her curiosity got the better of her.

“But what?” Addie asked.

“You tell me,” Josephine said. “You sounded like there was a but.”

“It’s nothing. She’s my partner, and I’ll work with her. It’s the kids who matter.”

“See, there,” Josephine said. “That’s why I want you two working together.”

“Oh,” Addie managed.

Josephine moved her arms excitedly. “Giselle is an incredible surgeon. She gets the job done. She just needs to work on how she forgets that there are people behind the cases. That’s where you come in.”

Addie tilted her head, watching Josephine. “And what exactly do you expect me to do?”

“Thaw her out a bit,” Josephine said, leaning back in her chair. “Giselle’s approach works, but she needs someone to remind her that empathy isn’t a weakness.”

Addie frowned, not entirely comfortable with the idea of playing therapist to someone who didn’t want it. “I’m not sure she’s looking for reminders.”

“Probably not.” Josephine’s eyes twinkled. “But that’s why it has to be you. She won’t listen to anyone else.”

Addie let out a sigh and set her coffee cup down. “I’m not going to change who she is, Josephine. And I’m not interested in trying.”

“I’m not asking you to change her,” Josephine said. “But you’re good at what you do, Addie. You care. That’s your strength. Giselle needs to see that there’s more to this job than just being technically perfect.”

Addie’s mind wandered back to the surgery on the girl. Giselle had been flawless. But it wasn’t the first time Addie had worked with someone brilliant. It was, however, the first time she’d been so aware of someone inside the OR.

Aware. If she wasn’t so bothered about Giselle filling her head, maybe she’d have cracked a smile at the thought. Of course she was aware of everyone in the hospital. It was Giselle’s beauty that remained etched in theback of her mind. That was the unsettling bit.

At least, that was a part of it. She didn’t want to be drawn into Josephine’s mission.

“You’re quiet,” Josephine said, pulling Addie back into the conversation.

Addie blinked, clearing her thoughts. “Just thinking about how this is going to work.”

Josephine smiled again. “It’ll work. Just give it time.”

Addie wasn’t so sure. But she’d made up her mind to try. If that meant dealing with Giselle’s coldness, then so be it. She could handle it. She’d find a way to ignore her striking presence. She was almost sure of that.

She sighed. Sitting here wasn’t going to help clear her head of Giselle. Work would.

“I have to get going now,” Addie said, standing up. “Work, you know.”

“Sure.” Josephine smiled.

As Addie walked away, her thoughts returned to the surgeries ahead. But no matter how much she focused, a part of her wondered what it would be like to see Giselle let down her guard just for a moment. What ifJosephine’s gamble paid off and Giselle warmed up in the OR—and out of it?

What would it be like to see her smile—not because she had to, but because she wanted to?

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