Page 22 of Double Take

“Sure.” She pulled out a sealed cup from her coat pocket and handed it to him, then walked toward the door. “Just let me know when you’re done. Bathroom is across the hall. Second door on the left. You okay getting there by yourself?”

Was he? He stood, noting the pain had greatly diminished thanks to the fast-acting shot, and took two test steps toward her, grateful his legs held him. “I can make it.”

They exited together, him toward the bathroom and Lainie toward the nurses’ station. On his return trip to the room less than two minutes later, he spotted Cole talking to one of the doctors. His partner had a smile on his face, but his eyes were scanning the area. When they landed on Lainie, he excused himself and beelined for her.

The look the woman shot Lainie could have added another layer of ice to the arctic tundra. James just stood there a moment while he caught his breath—how could he be winded?—and watched the interactions. Lainie definitely noticed the woman’s look but ignored it and smiled at Cole. The fact that James was tempted to level his own chilly look at his partner took him aback for a moment. Why did he care that Cole might find Lainie attractive? Why did he suddenly find himself looking at Lainie in an entirely different light? She was his sister’s best friend. He needed his head examined. The last thing he should be thinking about was a possible romance with her.

Actually, withanyone. But certainly not with Lainie.

He moved closer. Neither noticed his approach.

“Good to see you here this morning,” Lainie said to Cole.

“How is he?”

“Doing fine, I think. He had no problems during the night, so he’s probably good to go.”

“No problems at all?”

The tinge of disbelief stung. “None at all, partner,” James said.

Cole stilled, then turned with only a hint of a smile that suggested he wasn’t bothered a bit by James catching him questioning Lainie. “Glad to hear it. You ready to get out of here?”

James looked at Lainie. “I don’t know. Am I?”

“As soon as the results come back, we can make that call. Until then, I recommend you stay put.”

“Then I guess that’s what I’ll do.”

“Need some help?” The low throaty voice came from the woman who’d tried to laser Lainie in half with her glare.

“Uh—” How did he say no politely?

“I’m Dr. Bridgette McPherson. Let’s get you back in the bed so you can get comfortable.”

“Fine.” He had no strength to argue at the moment.

He headed for the room, anxious for the bed. If Lainie had said he could leave, he would have had to ask if he could rest first—or request a wheelchair. Never had he been so glad to have to wait on test results.

He rolled onto the bed and closed his eyes. He hurt.

Someone leaned over him, and he opened his eyes to see Dr. McPherson holding her stethoscope. “Let me take a listen, all right?”

“Sure.”

She did so, her hands lingering on his chest longer than he was comfortable with. Her flirting with Cole was one thing, but he was a patient, and frankly, he didn’t want anything other than her professional attention focused on him. She seemed to pick up whatever vibe he was giving off, because she finished up, her gaze holding nothing but the look a doctor gives a patient. “Everything sounds good. I’ll let you get some rest while we wait for the results.”

“Great.”

She left and he shut his eyes once more, wondering what just happened.

“Sure you don’t want something a little stronger?” Lainie’s quiet voice reached him from the door.

How did she know? “I’m sure. I’ll be fine.” He opened his eyes to see her gaze full of compassion, and the look touched something deep inside him that he’d kept locked off for so long he almost didn’t recognize it at first.

Longing.

The deep desire to connect with another person other than his partner. The walls he kept around his heart were in danger of cracking with her.

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