As I turn right on Monroe, I frown, “You edit naked?”
“I’ve got a shirt on.”
Violently shaking my head to clear this image from my memory banks forever, I shout, “Never heard you say that! See you there.”
His laughter abruptly vanishes as I end the call.
CHAPTER 8
ELIZABETH
“T o what do I owe the pleasure?” I ask.
Caden glances up from paperwork with a blank expression. “Sorry?”
“It’s been a whole twelve days without incident. You’ve left when you’re supposed to, you’ve been on time, and I haven’t heard any complaints about Janet from you, either.”
He sets the pen down, leaning back on the swivel chair, looking absolutely panty-dropping handsome as his almond eyes narrow with amusement. “Myers, you’ve never heard me complain about Janet. Because I don’t do it in front of you.”
“I’m aware of a lot of things you think that I am not.”
He smirks, “Noted.”
I have to force myself to move on with my day. “Carry on.”
At first I was fine—no, relieved—with us avoiding each other until we had to interact, only discussing mandatory hospital shit ever since our blow out.
Then the distance gnawed at me.
So I decided to confront him.
No problem with that.
Just a little ice-breaker so we can put our…whatever that was…behind us.
As I head away to do my rounds, Caden calls out. “Dr. Myers!”
We move quickly together through the bustling corridor of chaos. “What is it?”
“I’ve done what I needed to do, and I was just about to head home, since my time is up. But there is a surgery starting that I would really like to watch. I won’t be participating, and I won’t be on the clock actually working. I just want to sit in the observation booth. Or is that overstepping my bounds?”
I’m ashamed to say I miss his rebelliousness, and it shows up in my frown. “The heart transplant that Stevens is performing?” Caden nods. “Why are you on such good behavior?”
That sexy smirk twitches back into place as our feet keep perfect time. Avoiding a jogging gurney-pusher, Caden accidentally bumps his hip into mine. Our eyes lock a second and heat makes a fist in my belly.
“I’ve been dying to sit in and watch him, Myers. I missed the last one he performed. This is where the big dog lies his head, if you know what I mean.”
Snatching a folder from outside one of the rooms, I scan what the nurses have been up to while I’ve been elsewhere. As I read, I’m still able to answer Caden’s question. “If you promise to leave directly after the surgery, I don’t have a problem with it. But I do not want to see you on this floor, or find you hiding out on some other floor. Impress me by doing what you’ve been doing—Living within the rules.”
Caden glares at me, dying to whip out some rebellious retort. I may have said all of that to instigate one, though in no way will I admit that to him.
“Can you do that? Can you behave?”
Hot air huffs from his nostrils as we stare at each other. Unfortunately he disappoints me by shoving his hands in the deep pockets of his white coat, frustrated strides marching him to the elevators.
I sigh after he vanishes inside.
Under my breath I mutter, “Shit,” and slam the folder back in its home.
F our hours later I turn a corner and gasp, rushing into the arms of Dr. Gwendolyn Partridge, an OB/GYN from Chicago and a fantastic friend. “Gwen! How great to see you! Look at how long your hair is!”
“Liz, you look prettier than the last time I saw you. How do you do that?”
Laughing, I step back. “Strict diet of caffeine and detachment. When you whittle out the frown lines everything kinda stays in place.”
She grins and shakes her head, the pencil skirt she always wears peeking out from beneath her white coat, low heels matching in navy blue. “I’ve tried that. Doesn’t work for me like it does for you. God, it’s good to see you. You want to go out for a drink while I’m here?”
“Are you kidding? That’s a yes.”
She holds up her hand for a high five. Our palms make a loud crack, and we’re both pretty proud of the reaction from the other doctors and nurses around us. Nobody sees this side of me but her.
“Where are you headed now, Gwen?”
She bumps her chin toward the floor above us. “I was called in for a rare blood disorder that a woman in her third trimester seems to have. Waiting for test results and I thought I’d head up to watch this transplant Stevens is doing, since I’m in town and he’s got such a reputation. You want to come?”
“No thanks.” Shoving my hands in my pockets, I feel a pen rattling against my fingertip. “All right sure.”
Gwendolyn throws an arm around my shoulder, walking with me at a quick pace. “Great, let’s hurry. I’m hoping those test results come back quickly. All I want to do is poke my head in, have a look, and then I’ll probably have to get out of there.”
“Works for me. I have a lot on my schedule. But I am curious.”
Curious if Caden is still there.
Gwen hits the call button with her elbow and wiggles her hips. “Are you seeing anyone, Elizabeth?”
Keeping my eyes on the numbers, I cock an eyebrow. “How is David? Are you guys still like rabbits in Springtime?”
“Yeah right.” As we walk in and turn to face the closing doors, she dryly adds, “Married ten years, remember?” She bumps the right number. “You know how many diseases come through this hospital?” Grabbing gel-sanitizer from her pocket, she dabs some on her finger and wipes off the button, too. Shrugging adorably, she mutters, “Better safe than sorry.”
“God, I’m happy to see you.”
The observation room has a glass window overlooking the team, used for educational purposes. Caden is sitting in the first row. He doesn’t look over as we enter the room. This
