Page 25 of The Beat of her Heart

After Addie finished up with the family,she walked over to Giselle. They stood in silence for a moment.

“You handled the surgery well,” Giselle said.

“Thank you,” Addie replied, her gaze holding Giselle’s. Her hazel eyes were a curious mix of green and gold up close.

Giselle felt that pull againbutshoved it aside, reminding herself that this was work. Emotional connections weren’t necessary, not here. They had a job to do, and they’d done it well.

Without another word, Giselle nodded and walked down the hall, already pushing thoughts of Addie out of her mind. It was almost impossible, especially with Addie falling in step with her.

Shit.

8

ADDIE

Giselle was tense. Even for her. Addie was certain about that.

It wasn’t obvious, but Addie noticed the subtle signs—Giselle’s shoulders pulled tight, her jaw set a little too firmly, and her eyes darting away anytime someone got too close. It was like she had a barrier around her that she kept in place even after they’d left the OR.

Addie decided to break the silence. “If you keep frowning like that, everyone will assume that the worst happened in the OR.”

Giselle looked over at her, eyes narrowing slightly. “I wasn’t aware my expression changed the outcome of a surgery.”

“It doesn’t, unless you count a mother fainting the second you step out of the OR,” Addie said, shrugging. “But don’t worry. They’re good now.”

Giselle opened her mouth to say something, but closed it immediately. Addie watched as her eyes shifted ahead as they approached a group in the waiting room. A family was gathered together, hugging and talking in excited whispers. One of the doctors had just given them some good news.

Giselle slowed her pace, her gaze lingering on the family. Addie noticed her expression soften, just for a moment. She didn’t say anything, but it was the first time Addie had seen Giselle look like she was watching people like that, almost as if she were disconnected from the scene but still curious about it.

There was more to Giselle than the ice queen persona everyone in the hospital talked about. Addie had suspected as much, but seeing her like this made her even more curious. She wanted to know what made Giselle tickandwhy she kept herself at such a distance from everyone.

But she was also cautious. Getting tooclose to Giselle felt like walking on thin ice, and Addie wasn’t sure what would happen if it cracked.

Distracted by her thoughts, Addie missed a step. Her foot twisted awkwardly beneath her and she stumbled, barely catching herself before falling. A sharp pain shot through her ankle, and she winced, reaching for the wall to steady herself.

Giselle was at her side in an instant, her hands firm as she helped Addie to the nearest chair. “Are you alright?”

Addie nodded, though her ankle throbbed. “I think I just twisted it. Nothing major.”

Giselle knelt in front of her, her hands gently grasping Addie’s ankle. Addie’s breath hitched at the unexpected contact. Giselle’s fingers pressed against her skin, carefully massaging the area and sending shivers through her. She tried to ignore it, but it was impossible not to react to the warmth of Giselle’s touch.

“You should be careful,” Giselle said. “This could’ve been much worse.”

Addie swallowed hard, watching Giselle’s face as she worked. It was beautiful how sheconcentrated, as if this moment, this small injury, was just as important as the surgeries they performed together. It tightened Addie’s chest, though she tried to keep her expression neutral.

“I’ve had worse,” Addie said, trying to lighten the mood. “I injured it years ago, and it’s never been quite the same. It’s one of the reasons I don’t drive anymore.”

Giselle looked up, her hands pausing. “You don’t drive?”

“Nope,” Addie said. “Haven’t since the accident. My ankle never fully recovered, but I’ve got a driver.”

For a moment, Giselle didn’t say anything. Her eyes stayed on Addie’s ankle, her fingers still resting there, and the silence between them felt heavier than it should. Addie’s heart pounded, her skin tingling where Giselle’s hands lingered.

Then Giselle’s gaze slowlymoved up, locking onto Addie’s. There was a spark in her eyes that made Addie’s breath catch.

Giselle’s hand slid just a fraction up Addie’s leg, her touch still gentle, but more deliberate now. Addie’s throat went dry as thewarmth from Giselle’s hand seemed to radiate through her entire body.

For a second, Addie thought Giselle might kiss her. The thought flashed through her mind, sharp and undeniable, as Giselle leaned just slightly closer, her aquamarine blue eyes never leaving Addie’s.

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