Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 77292 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77292 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
But I shake the thought out of my head. This is something to celebrate.
“Is it too late for me to see him before they take him in?” I ask.
“No, I think they’re still prepping him. He might be a little drugged up at this point, but he’ll at least know that you came by to wish him well.”
“Great.” I turn to Dr. O’Rourke. “I’ll get changed and start working the second I’ve seen him off.”
Dr. O’Rourke nods. “Take your time.”
I quickly cross through the nurses’ station to Lou’s room. He’s been moved to a gurney, and a nurse is administering a few drugs.
“Lou!” I grab his hand. “I just heard the good news. Congrats!”
“Nurse Alissa.” His eyes crinkle with a smile. “Nice of you to see me off.”
“Of course.” I pat his shoulder gently. “How could I not see my favorite patient off?”
“Second-favorite patient. After Carol.”
“I love you both equally.”
He chuckles. “Hell, she’s my favorite patient. She told me she’s recovering well.”
“Yes, and the two of you will be able to live out your golden years together.”
He frowns. “If I make it through the transplant. I just signed a bunch of forms saying I understand the risks, and they’re not trivial.”
“Lou, you can’t think like that.”
He holds up a hand. “I’m just being realistic. When you get to be as old as I am, you learn to take things at face value.” He looks at me intently. “You have a glow about you, do you know that?”
I laugh. “I think your drugs are just kicking in.”
He shakes his head. “No. It’s not the drugs. It’s you. You have the air of a woman in love.”
I cock my head. “What?”
“I said what I said. I’ve seen it before.” His gaze grows distant, a wistfulness in it. “A woman is at her most beautiful when she’s in love. When she’s a little girl and looks up to her doting parents. When she holds her newborn child in her arms. Or when she meets that special person who completes her. And I see that kind of beauty in you, Alissa.”
I wipe a tear off my cheek. “That’s lovely, Lou.”
He chuckles. “I saw the same glow about Carol when we first met. She really has that beauty. The most beautiful woman I’ve met since my late wife.” He smiles. “You’re a solid third.”
I can’t help a laugh. “I’ll take it.”
“You can laugh, but trust me.” He pats his chest. “I know a thing or two about hearts, broken or otherwise.”
“Mr. Chambers, it’s time to go,” the other nurse says.
“Of course.” He winks at me. “I’ll see you on the flipside.”
“Good luck, Lou.” I give his hand another squeeze. “I love you.”
“Love you too, Alissa.”
I utter a silent prayer that his surgery will go off without a hitch. Lou and Carol deserve to live out the rest of their lives in peace and in each other’s arms.
Speaking of which, I should go check up on her. See how she’s handling the news. I’m sure she’s overjoyed, of course, but also concerned for her special friend.
But I should change into my scrubs first. I rush out the door to Lou’s room and—
Dr. O’Rourke. I bump right into him.
“Sorry, Doctor.”
He brushes off the sleeves of his medical jacket. “It’s all right. Just watch where you’re going.”
“Of course.” I brush past him.
“Alissa.”
I turn around. “Yes, Doctor?”
He narrows his eyes. “Why did Maddox ask me to keep you safe? Is something wrong?”
Nerves skitter up and down my arms.
“No, everything’s fine. He just likes me, I guess. Wants to keep me safe. He can’t keep an eye on me twenty-four seven, so since you’re a trusted friend, he just wants you to do what you can.”
He cocks his head. “That’s it? There’s nothing going on?”
“No. Nothing at all.” I turn. “I really should—”
“I don’t have to kick Maddox’s ass, do I? Because I will if I have to. He’s my best friend, but—”
I hold up a hand. “Maddox has been nothing but a perfect gentleman since we met. His only concern is for my safety.”
“But why?” He takes another step toward me. “I can tell something is wrong. It’s in your eyes.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Alissa, please.” He lowers his voice. “Just tell me what’s going on. If I’m going to keep you safe, I need to know what’s happening.”
I swallow. I don’t think he’s going to let this go. Damn it.
I can’t tell him everything. That’s far too much information to put on one person.
But I can give him something to just get him off my case.
I sigh. “It’s nothing, really. As you know, Maddox has been taking me to his club. Aces Underground. We’ve been on three dates there now.”
He nods. “Yeah. Aces. An odd place, filled with odd people. Did any of them threaten you?”
“No. It has to do with…” I look down. “I don’t want to burden you with this information. It’s really between me and Maddox.”