Page 44 of Operation Annulment
As sleep pulls me under, I can’t help but wonder if he’s referring to his ex or someone else.
nineteen
COMMANDMENT #20: THOU SHALT NOT MARRY INTO A FAMILY OF HUCKSTERS
Nate
Iwalk into the physician’s lounge for breakfast before my next case. I left Kate sleeping in bed, grabbed a quick shower, and ran out the door. We spent all day Sunday getting her moved in with me. There’s still a lot left at her apartment, but she’s got enough to get through the next sixty days.
My first case was at six-thirty, so it was still dark when I pulled up outside the hospital. I expected work to feel as surreal as my personal life was at the moment, but it didn’t. It felt completely normal to be in the hospital, doing what I loved, even as nothing else in my life was going according to plan.
I grab a coffee and a sausage biscuit from the buffet before finding a table in the back corner of the room. I chart my first case on my laptop in between bites of food. Just these simple acts leave me feeling much more like myself.
Almost as if nothing happened.
My phone buzzes from the clip on my waist, and I see it’s a text message.
Kate: Good morning. I hope you slept well and made it to work on time. I’ve been thinking about what you said Saturday night and want to know your favorite meal. Maybe I could make it for you for dinner.
At the mention of Saturday night, images of her standing in nothing but her underwear flood in, and I exhale slowly.
Easy, Nate.
Do not get a hard-on in the middle of the physician dining lounge.
I tap out a quick reply.
Nate: Good morning to you. I slept well. Lasagna is my favorite meal.
It doesn’t come across as affectionate, but I’m not sure we’re there yet.
Are we?
I can’t think about that right now. I need to get downstairs for my next case. I toss my stuff in the trash and head to the elevator. Just as the doors close, I catch a flash of blonde hair.
That looked like Dakota.
I get off the elevator and step around the corner, out of sight of anyone getting off. Sure enough, the doors open a few seconds later, and Dakota walks out.
She immediately begins looking around before approaching the nurse’s station.
“Yes, excuse me. I’m looking for a man with blue scrubs and lots of tattoos. He just got off the elevator before me.”
One of the nurses, Monica, makes eye contact with me, and I shake my head.
What the hell is she doing here?
Monica gives Dakota a bored look. “And you are?”
She giggles. “How silly of me. I’m Dr. Quinn, Woman of Medicine.”
I damn near bite my tongue in half, trying to hold it together. Idon’t think she has any idea that she just referenced a nineties television show featuring Jane Seymour.
Monica appears to be choking. “Dr. Quinn? Are you kidding me right now?”
Dakota frowns. “I was worried that my reputation as a ball-buster would precede me. Do not be afraid. I’m not here to fire anyone.”
Another nurse pipes up. “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman?”
