Page 46 of The Doctor's Twins

“Have you always wanted to be a doctor?” she asked.

“Oh, yes. There were two things I always knew I wanted to do. One is medicine and the other martial arts.”

“How did you end up in the military?”

“A good friend from school called me up one day and told me that his unit was looking for a doctor. I had just finished my residency and a career in the armed forces appealed to my sense of patriotism. I guess when you’re in your twenties, it’s an exciting prospect.”

“Do you miss it?”

“I miss the people.”

“Where were you stationed?”

“All over the show. Afghanistan was my last stint. I knew after that I needed to be home with my family.”

Come on, Peyton. Take the bait. Tell me more.

“So, what were you like as a kid?” I asked when my dinner date stopped talking.

“Quiet.”

“Stop! I can’t believe that.”

“Thanks for that. Am I really such a talker now?”

“No,” I laughed. “That’s not what I meant. You just don’t strike me as a wallflower.”

“Oh, I wasn’t. Not by a long shot. But I was a careful child. That changed as soon as puberty hit. That was when I found my voice and came into my own.”

“How do you find the Big Apple?” I asked as I didn’t want to make it obvious to Peyton that I was on a bit of a fishing expedition.

“It’s busy.”

“Yup. There is that.”

“I like it. I love my job. Thank you, Ben.”

“I must thank you. So far, the hospital is the winner. You’re a good doctor.”

“Do you say that to all the young residents who happen to cross your dojo mat?”

“Ouch.”

“Sorry. That was mean. I didn’t mean that to sound the way it did.”

“Well, if you must know, my pretty little viper, you are the first resident who has ever seen the inside of my dojo…and my Katsumi.”

“Okay. You’ve successfully reprimanded me. My bad.”

“I’m not in the habit of seducing my students, Peyton. It’s important to me that you know that.”

“What are you saying, Ben?”

“What I’m saying, you stunning creature, is that I’m truly interested in you. I’m not playing a game.”

“I appreciate your candor, Ben.”

“But?”

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