Page 2 of Doctor I Do

He breathes heavily down the line. “Nah. I’m okay.”

Doesn’t sound like it, but I don’t say that. “All right, see you soon. And, by the way, bro, I’m pumped for you. You’re going to be an amazing dad.”

“Thanks. Catch ya soon.”

I hang up, but my phone buzzes again. Mom’s name flashes on the screen. A small laugh escapes my lips as I answer. “Yes, Mom.”

“Your brother and—”

“I know. I know.” I chuckle, cutting her off. “I’m trying to finish work so I can head up.”

Hearing the noises in the background, I can tell she's already upstairs.

“Okay, well, don’t be too long,” she says kindly. Mom is a retired doctor, so she knows how much we work. But she has been pushing for more of a work-life balance…well, more on me, because of my lack of a committed relationship. I can only hope she’ll leave me alone now, being too busy in the new grandma role to worry about me.

“I gotta go. I’ll finish some notes and talk to the patient, and then I’ll be up, okay?”

“Okay, love, see you soon,” she sings-songs.

I hang up and re-open the file. I scan the observations and other notes before picking up the file and heading into the patient's room to deliver the news. As I leave their room, it’s with a heavy heart, knowing the prognosis doesn’t seem bright, but being a neurologist, I barely get to deliver the good news. Maybe it’s because of this job I’ve learned to switch off my feelings.

Yeah, that could be it.

I’ve had to toughen up.

I’m reading emails as I enter the hospital elevator, my stomach growling, reminding me I’ve only had coffee today. As I’m heading downstairs to grab something to eat along the way, the doors open, and a friendly face is revealed.

“Hi, Tahlia,” I say with a lopsided grin.

Tahlia is Alice’s best friend. As I take her in. I remember the last time I saw her. She was dressed up for Mike and Alice’s wedding. Unlike today where she’s dressed for comfort. Her blonde hair is tied up in a high ponytail. A few tendrils have fallen out. They now hang loose around the sides of her heart shaped face. She’s staring back at me, with big glossy green eyes framed by dark lashes. She has the cutest button nose and pouty lips that are currently parting.

“Ale—” she tries to say, but the box of cupcakes she’s holding fall from her grip.

I’m moving before I register what’s happening, dropping to my knees to help with the mess.

“Great,” Tahlia mumbles under her breath. She squats in her dark blue skinny jeans, that I see now have pale blue icing down the side, trying to pick up the cupcakes that have dropped on the floor. From this angle, I get an up-close view of her slim neck that leads down to her low cut shirt. Ample cleavage I have no right staring at but can’t help wondering how good they’d feel in my hands. I force my gaze up with a smile.

“At least you look good in blue.” I try to lighten her up, and that has her eyes meeting mine. On our knees, we’re closer than I thought, and I suddenly feel like I’m in the desert, desperate for a trace of water. Am I in need of some sleep, or are sparks flying?

This is new.

She peers back down, her cheeks flushed, and I finish helping her pick up the scattered cupcake destruction, pushing any wayward thoughts aside. But the icing is stuck to the floor, making it a bit slippery, so I stand and say, “I’ll grab some napkins. Hang on a sec.”

I stride to the cafe and grab the napkins, and when I walk back she reaches out for them, but I shake my head. “Let me.”

“I would fight you on it, but I’m certain my hands aren’t working properly right now.” She gives me a half smile before nibbling at her lip.

I wonder if she is nervous about her best friend who just had a baby, or if it’s something else.

Me?

Do I make her nervous?

Don’t be ridiculous…

After I wipe the floor clean and throw the napkins in the garbage, Tahlia looks up at me curiously. “Are you working today?”

“Yeah. Do my clothes give it away?”

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