Page 50 of The Wrong Husband
Not trusting myself to voice the words, because it’ll give away the changing state of my emotions toward him, I continue to look ahead.
We ride in silence, until he misses the turnoff to the hospital.
“Umm, you’re going the wrong way,” I point out.
“I’m not,” he says with a smile that makes me think he’s hiding something.
“What do you mean? The hospital's in the other direction.” I jab my thumb in the direction we came from.
“You’re not going to the hospital.”
“Excuse me?”
“Check your messages."
With a scowl, I pull out my phone, and sure enough, a message from the Clinical Director informs me that, as per Health & Safety rules, I have the day off and I should not come in. What the— I drop the device back into my bag. "How did you manage that?"
"What makes you think I did anything? " His voice is innocent, but the twist in his lips says otherwise.
Anger begins a slow burn in my gut. "You do realize that if you’re trying to woo me, this isn’t how to do it? My job is sacred to me. And by interfering in it, you’re pissing me off."
"Firstly, I’d never jeopardize your calling. I respect that you’re a doctor. You save lives, and I don’t take that lightly. And secondly"—he shoots me a quick sideways glance—"doyouwant me to woo you?"
Damn, I shouldn’t have used that word.
I lean back in my chair. "A slip of the tongue. Ignore it."
"Hmm." His smile widens further, enough for me to see the slight indentation in his cheek. It’s so not fair that everything about him appeals to me. Even when he’s acting like a domineering asshole.Especially when he’s acting like a domineering asshole.
Which says something about me. Something I’m not willing to examine deeply.
I clench my jaw, count to five, then blink slowly. "Seriously, I don’t know how you managed that, but I don’t appreciate you getting involved in how I do my job."
"I’d never do that. I simply wanted to make sure you had some time off. Which will only help you do your job better. I didn't mean to upset you. I’m sorry if I did." He stops the car at a traffic light.
Damn, he apologized again. It shouldn’t surprise me. It’s the decent thing to do. But it still surprises me that he does. Given his good looks and privileged background, plus my perception that he’s definitely the kind of person more used to giving orders and being obeyed, I expected him to be an asshole. And I’m not used to him acting to the contrary. He’s one of the most thoughtful men I’ve come across.
I really shouldn’t stereotype him.
And he’s right. I’ve been working nonstop without a break. I know, I’ve been flouting guidelines. But given the situation at the hospital, I figured the management wouldn’t notice. Apparently, I was mistaken. I blow out a breath.
"It’s all well and good that you’re apologizing, but it doesn’t change the fact that you interfered in my career. Inmylife."
"Only because I was concerned about you."
"You don’t need to be. Also, youcouldhave had the conversation with me first."
"Would that have prompted you to take the day off?"
"Umm…" I wriggle about in my seat. "Probably not."
He gives me a look which implies,I rest my case.
I toss my head. "It still doesn’t excuse what you did."
"You needed time off. This was the only way to get you to take it. Also"—he softens his tone—“you should know, I would never compromise you in any way at your place of work.”
He’s so confident and so calm, I deflate a little. The light changes, and he eases the car forward.
