Page 109 of Doctor I Do

My brows rise to my hairline. “You’re kidding. You’re a chick magnet. You just don’t put yourself out there.”

He snorts, as if I’m the one being ridiculous. “And how would you like me to do that?”

“Go out to Luxe with some friends.”

He clicks his tongue on the roof of his mouth. “Son, remember?”

Think, Alex…

“Online,” I say with a jackpot smile.

Damien scrunches up his face with disdain. “That’s even worse. I suck at talking, especially small talk, and particularly about myself.”

I can’t argue with that, as he isn’t as easy-going or as talkative as me. Hmmm.

“Well, I’m out of ideas. Let me grab us a coffee.” I shrug and tilt my head to the barista.

He grins as if he’s won. “Told you it’s impossible.”

I hate losing, so I shake my head and say, “Not impossible, but definitely not easy. Let me think about it and see if I can come up with any ideas. I’m running on a few hours of sleep.”

“Were you on call?” He frowns.

“No. I was—” I stop speaking, not knowing what to say. I can’t tell him Tahlia’s pregnant and that I drank until I passed out.

“Was wha—” His pager goes off, cutting him off.

“Did you want a takeaway coffee, or is it urgent?” I ask, watching him.

He reads the message on the pager. I’m grateful that mine hasn’t gone off, and I’m able to get in a much-needed caffeine kick.

Tucking his pager away, he looks back at me. “No, I gotta get back upstairs now. I’ll have to catch you soon.”

I nod, knowing I should start the mountain of paperwork I have let build up and get to visiting some patients. But I can’t function properly right now without a hit of caffeine. “All right. Catch you later.”

He wanders off toward the elevator, and I walk over to order my coffee. My phone rings, and I see Mike’s name. I hit decline. I’m not ready to answer it. He will be angry. I don’t blame him. I just don’t have any answers.

Carrying my latte and bagel to the elevators, I become instantly awake without even taking a sip of my coffee.

Tahlia is walking with Blake toward the elevators. She’s here. But why?

Is she okay?

Or has she come to confront me?

The glum look on her face tells me she’s not here for me. I never got a text or call.

Suddenly a rush of panic hits my chest, and I press my lips together and stride closer.

Her eyes widen when she sees me.

“Tahlia.”

Blake clears his throat.

I flick my eyes to his and nod. “Hi, Blake.”

“Hi,” he says curtly, but my eyes are already back on the captivating greens I’ve missed. Just now, she stares back at me with bold defiance. I know Blake probably wants to chop my balls off, but I don’t care. I need to see why Tahlia’s here. My hand grabs her waist instinctively, but she steps back, forcing my hand to slip.

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