Page 5 of Dirty Doctor
I moan as I take the first bite, glancing inside the bag and smiling when I realize there are at least five more tacos waiting for me.
“I’ll leave you to it,” she says, backing away as if she’s witnessing a feral dog eating in a back alley. “Enjoy, Ms. Williams.”
I finish the tacos in about three minutes flat, wiping my mouth and sighing contentedly and closing my eyes. That was, hands down, the best meal of my life. I ate every single one of the tacos, and just as I’m about to reach over for some water, Luke strolls in.
“Oh good, Florine brought your food in. I wanted to be sure—I know how much you hate it when the tortillas get soggy.”
I stare up at him, my heart thumping against my chest. “Thank you.” I glance at the clock. “Shouldn’t your shift be over by now?” It’s then that I notice he’s no longer wearing his white coat, and instead, he has on a cream-colored sweater that brings out the light brown flecks in his eyes.
“Technically, it was over two hours ago, but I’m staying in one of the overnight rooms here.”
My pulse speeds up at his admission. “Why?”
He shrugs again. Why is he acting nervous? “I wanted to keep an eye on you. Your lab results should be back any minute. And I don’t like the other doctor on call.”
I crack a smile. “Dr. Hastings doesn’t approve of him?”
Luke opens his mouth to speak, but there’s a soft knock on the door, and one of the most handsome men I’ve ever seen walks in.
He’s obviously the other doctor, with light brown hair, a chiseled jaw that looks to be cut from stone, and a megawatt smile that nearly blinds me. He doesn’t even glance at Luke as he walks in.
“Ms. Williams,” he greets, sitting down in the chair next to my bed. I look up at Luke, and he’s watching the doctor with a dark scowl. “I’m Doctor Jones.” He quickly flicks his eyes at Luke. “Doctor Hastings,” he says, his voice tinged with confusion.
“He’s my stepbrother,” I explain, smiling at the handsome doctor.
Doctor Jones nods once. “I see. I’d like to discuss your most recent test results. Would you like me to ask Doctor Hastings to leave?”
I see Luke bristle at that, but he doesn’t respond.
“No, he can stay,” I answer, shooting Luke a disapproving look. Why is he suddenly acting like a protective big brother? He never once cared about me or my life. He just crosses his arms and scowls at the back of Doctor Jones’s head.
Doctor Jones leans forward and clasps his hands together. “Your tests from earlier look better. Things are improving.” He looks at the paper bag crumpled up on the side of the bed. “And you’re eating, drinking, and bathing.” I nod and swallow, willing myself not to look at Luke. “We’re going to discharge you in the morning.”
“Doctor, will all due respect, I think you’re being hasty,” Luke interjects, taking a step closer to the bed. He’s still scowling, and the lines on his forehead are endearing in a strange sort of way.
Doctor Jones stands and turns to face Luke. “I understand you’re worried because she’s your sister—”
“Her iron levels were shockingly low this morning,” Luke growls, baring his teeth. “Her liver enzyme levels hadn’t evened out, and her electrolytes were all out of whack.” He looks between us, a look of calmness on his face. “Unless those levels have miraculously evened out in the last twelve hours, I’d suggest she stay until they do.”
Doctor Jones sighs and gives me a look that sayscan you believe this guy?
I glance up at Luke again, thinking of the ways he’s gone above and beyond for me. He’s been more than accommodating, almost on the brink of caring. Is it possible he has a real heart after all, and not a hollowed-out shell like I always suspected?
“I think Ms. Williams will be just fine. We’ll bring her back for follow-up bloodwork in a couple of weeks just to make sure there are no lingering issues, but there’s no reason she has to be stuck here while she recovers.” He smiles at me and pats my foot.
Discussion over.
He straightens up and looks at Luke, daring Luke to defy him. Luke looks between us. I realize with a start that he’s not my doctor this shift, therefore he doesn’t get to call the shots. Even if he disagrees, he doesn’t have any jurisdiction in this situation.
Why is he still here, then?
Why did he bring me my favorite tacos?
Why does he want me to stay if the other doctor says I can go home?
“Sounds good to me,” I chime in. “It’ll be nice to get back to real life.”
My eyes find Luke’s again, and something dark passes across his face. It makes my stomach flutter with nerves. I know that look.
