Page 34 of Heal Me

Giving Doogie a scratch goodbye, I drive to the hospital and track down Dr. Cooper. Today’s the last day of me shadowing him. Lucky me.

“You look different, Ms. Patel,” he comments, giving me an assessing look.

“Really?” So it’s not just me who notices the effects of the cord-cutting ritual.

“So what’s this I hear about you going all hippie commune?”

“I’m not sure what you heard.” Seriously, I just told Jen this morning! Did she make a sign and hang it on the damn bulletin board? I make a mental note to check the bulletin board in the break room later.

“I bet your father isn’t too thrilled,” he comments. No, I’m sure he won’t be thrilled; that’s why I haven’t told him yet. “You know Dr. Patel has a stellar reputation. Not quite as good as mine,” he says and I willfully force my eyes not to roll. “Are you really going to suicide your career before it even begins?”

Before I can answer, probably with something I’ll regret, his phone beeps. “It’s your lucky night. Stab wound victim. Let’s go,” he commands. I doubt the victim of the stabbing thinks it’s their lucky night, but I keep that observation to myself.

Much later that evening, we make our way to the break room. “How did you know the patient had a ruptured liver? It looked like an isolated chest wound,” I comment as we take a seat.

“Abdominal organs have a fifteen percent risk of injury when you’re dealing with a lower chest stab wound, even a wound that looks isolated.” He gives me a smug smile. “You think you can get this kind of excitement in a birthing barn?”

“Why on earth would you think women give birth in a barn?” I ask, mystified.

“I don’t know what these hippie women do. You tell me.”

“Women who choose to give birth outside of a hospital aren’t livestock. The only pig I see in the room is seated across from me.”

“Keep telling yourself that, princess,” he smirks, and I have the sudden urge to dump my coffee over his head. “That kidnapping must have done a real number on you. Going from number one in your class—accepted to Harvard—to throwing it all away.”

“Fuck off!” I blurt out. “Nobody asked for your opinion, and don’t ever call me princess again.” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I regret them. Regardless of his taunting, it’s unprofessional the way I just blew up at him.

I’m not sure what’s going to happen next—perhaps me being called into HR and escorted off the premises for insubordination—but his phone beeps, breaking the tense standoff. With his face now glued to his phone, he says, “Go ahead and call it a night, Ms. Patel. I’ve got some housekeeping matters I need to attend to.”

It really is my lucky day. I hustle over to my cubby and grab my purse. Making it nearly to the exit, I realize I’ve forgotten my badge. I make a quick detour to the restroom and then stop in the cafeteria and grab a yogurt. It’s been hours since I ate something, and I’m starting to get a bit shaky.

Returning to the break room, I grab my badge from the cubby. As I turn to leave, I hear something—it almost sounds like a woman’s crying inside the cleaning supply closet. I open the door to see if someone needs help. My mouth hits the floor when I see Dr. Cooper on his knees with his head between Jen’s legs. He turns, his eyes locking with mine. I gasp, as Jen is on her period based on the blood covering his mouth. Jen’s look of ecstasy quickly changes to a look of annoyance as she notices me.

Slamming the door, I hightail it out of the break room. There are some things in life you really wish you hadn’t seen, and this one tops the list.

My escort rises from the bench. “What’s wrong?” Gabe asks me, taking my hand.

“I accidentally walked in on Jen and Dr. Cooper in the break room closet having sex.” That’s all the details that I’m going to divulge. In fact, I’m going to try my hardest to forget the details. “It’s a violation of the hospital code of conduct; plus, it puts me in a terrible position of having to keep their secret. Not to mention Jen has a boyfriend.” I’m no fan of Elliot, but I’d take preppy party boy over the narcissist surgeon any day of the week.

“What are you going to do?”

I think for a moment. “I’m going to blue-pill myself and pretend I didn’t see it. I won’t lie if Elliot were to ask me, but I’m not going to go out of my way to stick my nose in his and Jen’s business. As for work, it’d be my word against theirs. I’m almost finished with my volunteer stint, and there’s no use burning the bridge when I already have one foot out the door.”

“A wise course of action,” he says as he opens my door for me.

“Maybe, but I still don’t like it.” But what I do like was Gabe listening just then as opposed to telling me what I should do about the situation. “Hey, I thought I said I didn’t need the security detail anymore?” The fact that he’s here to walk me to my car just dawned on me.

“Not security. Maybe I just like your company.” I smile at that as we get into my car and I drive us back to my place.

“Go out with me tomorrow night?” he asks as we walk to my door. “I’ll make us reservations at a new fancy restaurant called Butter. Or would you prefer something casual?”

I have an excuse on the tip of my tongue, but then I realize I don’t need one anymore. “Butter sounds great. I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

Chapter 15

Charlotte

It’s time to get ready for my date, but I haven’t a clue what to wear. I would ask Aubry her opinion, but I still haven’t told her about me and Gabe. “Doogie, it’s not that I’m embarrassed about Gabe. Who wouldn’t want to be going on a date with that gorgeous man? Nephilim,” I correct myself.

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