Hotshot Doc(13)

This proximity is new and heady. After watching him operate this morning, I’ve come to admire (or fear) him even more.

“That’s because I’ve been eager for you to meet Bailey.”

Shit.

That’s me!

Dr. Lopez’s hand hits my shoulder and he pushes me gently in Dr. Russell’s direction like I’m an offering. Dr. Russell’s eyes finally fall on me, and I’m assessed with a look of cool indifference. Blue eyes meet mine for only a moment. He doesn’t even do a once-over. The expression on his face is unreadable and austere. I might as well be gum on the bottom of his shoe.

“She’s the surgical assistant I’ve been raving about,” Dr. Lopez says, looking down at me proudly.

My cheeks flush and I extend a hand. “Nice to meet you, Dr. Russell.”

He accepts my handshake and for a few seconds, my palm is completely enveloped by the warmth of his grasp. I’m shaking the hand that operated flawlessly this morning. This is the hand that changed that little boy’s life. This is the hand that inspires awe in so many.

My breath catches in my throat as I try to keep my wits about me. Wow, I think he and I might be having a real moment…then another waiter passes and Dr. Russell drops my hand and steps toward her so he can ask for a water. Welp, scratch that.

Then, silence.

I’m aware that this is where conversation should take place. Dr. Russell ought to ask questions in the hopes of getting to know me: where I’m from, how long I’ve been working at NEMC, if I’d be willing to accept a job with him.

Instead, crickets.

Dr. Lopez clears his throat.

“Bailey had the chance to watch your surgery this morning.”

His eyes narrow at something over Dr. Lopez’s shoulder. “What a fucking mess. I’ve permanently banned Newton reps from my OR.”

“And the patient?” I ask. “How is he doing?”

A glimmer of surprise hits Dr. Russell’s pale eyes, and when he glances back toward me, it feels like he’s actually seeing me for the first time. “He’s fine, recovering quickly, but then that’s the good thing about kids—their bodies are resilient.”

This is something, an actual conversation, but it’s over before it even begins when Dr. Goddard walks up behind Dr. Russell and grasps his shoulders tightly, trying to shake him off balance.

“Matty boy, I didn’t think we’d see you here tonight. No drink?”

Dr. Russell shakes him off and rolls out his neck. If he had them, his hackles would be raised.

Dr. Goddard doesn’t seem to care that none of us are happy to have him here. He reaches out and rudely tugs on the arm of a passing waiter. “Get my pal a Jack and Coke, will you?”

The waiter nods. “Right away, sir.”

Dr. Goddard turns back to us, his slimy gaze landing on me. What I’m sure he assumes is a seductive smile unfurls across his mouth. “And who is this delicate creature?”

Delicate creature?

What. The. Hell.

I lift my chin and narrow my gaze. “Bailey Jennings. I’m a surgical assistant at the hospital.”

His eyes widen with recognition and then he does a slow perusal of my dress. Dammit, I knew it was too tight. Appreciation colors his eyes as he finally makes his way back to my face. “Pity that position on my team didn’t end up working out, though maybe I could shuffle some things around…”

The end of his sentence is left unsaid: now that I realize I’d like to sleep with you.

The waiter scurries back over with a Jack and Coke and the water Dr. Russell originally requested. He accepts both with a thank you, keeps the water, and drops the Jack and Coke on a nearby cocktail table. A little bit of the drink laps over the edge.

“Aw, c’mon. We were going to make a toast for our pal here,” Dr. Goddard groans.

Dr. Russell tucks his hand in his pocket and sips his water with all the confidence in the world. “I don’t drink the night before surgeries.”

Dr. Goddard throws me a teasing wink. “My colleague here is such a bore, but I assure you, I’m no bore. What do you think, Bailey? Still looking for a new position?”

His words make it clear that the position is in fact underneath him.

If I were closer, I’d oh-so-subtly dig my heel into his foot.

I’m about to tell him I’d rather clean toilets at a truck stop for a living but Dr. Lopez clears his throat and steps forward, nearly cutting off Dr. Goddard’s view of me. “Actually, Bailey here is going to be working with Dr. Russell starting on Monday.”

“I’m going to—”

“She’s what?”

We speak simultaneously, and then Dr. Russell snaps his attention to me, his eyes filled with accusation as if I was the one who just announced we’d be working together.

My mouth drops open. “I—no. I’m not sure—”

Dr. Lopez is quick to continue. “The minor details haven’t been quite hammered out. It’s a new development. Dr. Goddard, would you mind coming with me? My wife has been asking about you all night and I know she’ll be sad if she doesn’t get to say hello.”

Dr. Goddard lights up at the idea that someone actually requested his presence, and he’s all too glad to be led away.

I’m left standing with Dr. Russell and cursing Dr. Lopez in my head.