Page 4 of Sideline Sweetheart
I glance at the nameplate on the wall once more to make sure I’m in the right place. “Dr. Flynn?”
“At your service,” she says as she steps aside and opens the door wider to let me into her office and then motions for me to take a seat as she moves back behind the desk. “It looks like we were both the objects of a little practical joke last night.”
I chuckle as Felipe’s words ring through my memory. “It appears so.”
“I’ve tried to study the roster and learn everyone’s number so I can recognize you on the field, but I guess I need to pay more attention to the faces as well, so I recognize you without your uniforms too.”
I grin because I can feel the nervousness rolling off her as she’s beginning to ramble a bit. And I find it adorable, however the need to tease her is too great to pass up. “It’s fine with me if I’m the only one you recognize out of uniform.”
Her cheeks turn a bright shade of pink as she stutters to correct herself. “No, uh, I, what I meant was, I, mean you’re a handsome man, but I should have known you were part of the team without being in your uniform.”
I raise an eyebrow as she digs herself deeper into a hole and the blush returns to her cheeks. “You think I’m handsome?”
She rolls her eyes at me. “Don’t act like you don’t know you are or haven’t been told before.”
I tilt my head as I study her and decide this flustered side of her isn’t something she shows to many people. “I have been told, but I like hearing it from you.”
She closes her eyes and takes a breath before opening them again and smiling sweetly. “I think we need to start over,” she says holding out her hand. “Mackenzie Flynn, team doctor.”
I regard her proffered hand a moment before wrapping my hand around hers. The contact sends a sizzle of electricity through my arm and by the quiet gasp I hear from across the desk, I know she felt it too. “Bryce Coban.”
She swallows as she withdraws her hand without breaking eye contact. “It’s nice to meet you, Bryce.”
“You too, Doc.”
She smiles again. “Mackenzie or Mac is fine, if you’d like.” I nod wondering if she’s told all the players she’s met with to useher first name or if I’m the only one she’s offered the honor to. “Shall we get started?”
Mackenzie taps on her iPad and has me stand on the scale and then takes my blood pressure. Once she’s recorded the information, she begins questioning me. “Okay, I’ve reviewed your medical file, and you seem to be one of the lucky ones who hasn’t sustained a major injury.”
My eyes widen and I shift in my seat. “Woah, there, Doc, don’t jinx me.”
She chuckles softly. “Sorry.”
“You’re right, I’ve had the typical cracked ribs, and contusions, but nothing major.”
“Any allergies to medications I need to be aware of?”
“Not so far.”
“Lola Coban is listed as your emergency contact, is she your wife?”
I raise a brow at her and grin. “Why, Mackenzie, are you trying to ask me if I’m married?”
“No,” she replied quickly, the blush had returned to her cheeks. “Standard question so I can get to know the players and make them comfortable enough to talk about their families.”
“No, I’m not married or dating anyone at the moment. Lola is my mother. My father’s name is Dean; in case you are interested.”
“Okay, thanks,” she says attempting to move on.
“What about you, Mackenzie? Are you married?”
“Me? No, much to my mother’s chagrin, I’m definitely single,” she says, preparing for the next question.
I shifted in my seat, my forearms resting on my thighs. “So, if I asked you out, there’s no reason for you to turn me down?”
A nervous laugh escapes her. “Oh, I’m sure there are plenty of reasons to turn you down. The first one being an issue with human resources.”
“I’m not hearing a no,” I say as I rise from my seat. “Any other questions?”
