Beautifully Awake

“Hey, Asspuck. What happened to calling when you got home?”

“Sier, where are you? It’s too early ... you okay, the baby?”

“Oh. I’m not in labor,” she said wryly.

“Sierra! What the hell is wrong with you? I almost had a freaking heart attack.”

“Good, that’s what you get. Now you know how I felt. Maybe you’ll think twice before disappearing for a weekend without calling to let me know you’re okay. For all I knew, Dr. Hot-as-Balls kidnapped and killed you.”

“Dramatic much? I texted you.”

“Oh, you mean your sorry I have to cancel, explain later text an hour before we were supposed to meet. That text?”

“K, Mom, point made. Are you done being annoying?”

“Hell no. Now I want details. And don’t leave out the good parts. Damn, you weren’t kidding. Holy shit, he’s hot. But please say he’s not always that intense. He looked like a man possessed. I couldn’t tell if he wanted to rip your clothes off or Guy’s eyes out more. I can’t believe I left you. Shit. I totally wasn’t thinking. My damn placenta brain. With Dodd away all week I was horny, and then when you didn’t answer your phone, I felt like total shit that I encouraged you. I just, I don’t know, I didn’t expect him to be so...” Sierra was rambling. Sierra never rambled. And that made me feel guilty.

“Stop. I get it. You’re so right. I’m sorry. I should have called, but really ... you don’t have to worry. He’s definitely intense, but that’s only one part of him. He’s the real deal, Sier,” I paused. It was difficult to describe it or define it. “I can’t explain it, but it’s good. He’s good. I think I trust him ... am I crazy?”

“Fine, you’re forgiven, but the jury is still out on Dr. Fucknuts. Speaking of—still waiting. How was it? Should I call him Dr. Crowbar? When they are that insanely hot, it’s a flip of the coin whether they actually know how to use the damn thing, so which is it? Please say you scored heads?”

I chuckled. “You have serious issues, you know that, right?”

“Absolutely, but that’s why you love me! Don’t leave me hanging.”

“Fine. Yes. Definitely heads ... umm ... all around.” If Sierra only saw my smile.

“That’s freaking fantastic.” Her belly laugh was contagious even over the phone.

“Okay. Are we done now? I have to get ready for work, and I’m seeing you for lunch in only a few hours.”

“Wait. You’re not at work? It’s almost eight. Where the hell are you?”

Oh, lying sprawled out in Dr. Sex’s massive bed, naked.

“Oh. We stayed at Chase’s last night. We got back from New York a little late, and his apartment is closer to the hospital.” Not to mention Dr. Sexy is also Dr. Possessive and not really big into sharing, not even with my apartment.

“You were in the city? What? But why aren’t you at work? Did your vagina need a sick day?”

“Ha-ha. NO! Just going in a little late.” I wasn’t even sure where to begin with that one. I gave in on the whole morning rounding thing last night, but I had a feeling we needed to re-address that issue. I did not need to bring up Dr. Dominant just yet.

“Hmm. Sounds a little suspect to me.”

“Sier, can we finish this at lunch? I really have to get ready.”

“Oh shit. I almost forgot. I saw Kate at Whole Foods yesterday and she seemed a little down in the dumps over shithead, so I invited her to lunch. That’s the other reason I called early. I knew you probably wouldn’t want to announce you were screwing your boss at lunch.”

Obviously.

“Thanks for the heads up. See you later then.”

“K. Oh, and Lil … for what it’s worth, I hope he’s the real deal. You really do deserve it.”

“Thanks, Sierra. Honestly, I don’t know what to hope for. But I’ll admit, for the first time in a long time, I feel pretty lucky.”

“You should, after all, you got heads.”

Freak!

I lay in Chase’s massive king-size bed covered in stark white linens. It reminded me of his Manhattan mausoleum bedroom, but not as cozy. It was simple and bare and lacked color, a clean slate. I wondered if he just moved in or simply liked it that way. According to his best friend, he picked Philly over two other cities he had strong ties to. Granted, if Constance was my mother, I probably would have picked California. A six-hour plane ride seemed like a sane distance from his bat shit crazy mother. And I was in her company for less than an hour. Boston, though, was still a bit of a mystery. Chase mentioned during dinner that he attended BU’s six-year combined undergraduate MD program, and Asher mentioned something about a business there. Boston could have been a solid choice if he wanted a break from his toxic world. Not that I was complaining about his ultimate choice. Definitely not complaining. The past few days gave me small glimpses and snapshots—enough to know I desired more. Everything. I needed him to trust me enough to share. Pot meet kettle.

Suddenly the room’s silence was drowned out by a loud monotone voice with a familiar message. 95 is backed up, Academy to Cottman. No shit. I chuckled to myself. Three years and always the same exact traffic report. After a second, I got out of my own head and realized the news was coming from the alarm clock that was now across the room. Last night, I had smiled seeing the fluorescent hue bedside, illuminating the obscene hour Chase finally tucked my very sated body tight against his for the night.

Dr. Bossy must have set it for me before he left, strategically moving it so I couldn’t snooze. Totally has my number.

But the news, really? It seemed like a stupid thing to notice. But I finally made the connection. His anxiety around music had to stem from the death of his sister. I remembered how melancholy he got when I asked him what happened to his high school band, the band he shared with his sister. A real tragedy. Music must have become too much of a reminder after she died, but for some reason I seemed to be the exception. He allowed me to choose music for his OR cases, and he chose music for our night at the planetarium, knowing how much I loved it.

I slapped the alarm clock hard and headed for the bathroom. The sleek earth tone marble sanctuary was filling with steam when the apartment door buzzed.

Despite my slight embarrassment opening Chase’s door as the obvious overnight guest, questionably dressed no less, I was more than pleasantly surprised.

“Good morning, Ms. Porter, sorry to bother you. Dr. Colton wanted me to deliver this.” The quirky doorman I recognized from my first visit handed me a steaming Starbucks cup. Mmm. Definitely has my number.

Thanks for the latte.

Very sweet :)

I knew he was probably getting ready to start a case, but I sent him the text anyway. His quick reply made me smile.

No. Sweet is the way you taste.

But I’m glad you enjoyed your girl coffee.

Hope you had enough time to put some clothes on.

Dr. Sweet, meet Dr. Possessive...

And here I thought you set the alarm

so I wouldn’t be even LATER for work??

Did he really time the alarm for the doorman’s coffee delivery? No. Crazy talk.

Your boss says you’re not late.

But your boyfriend is waiting for an answer.

If you must know-your case manager is naked,