Hotshot Doc(69)

“Nope,” I reply, affecting a casual tone. “Just my sister.”

They glance over in time to see her steal yet another bacon-wrapped shrimp off a passing tray. Boy are we related or what?

“What about that blond guy from Smooth Tony’s?” Megan asks, tilting her head. “He was cute and he seemed into you. Did anything happen with that?”

Ha. Cooper. Boy are they behind. I’d need a million years to catch them up so I just shake my head and pretend I’m disappointed when I reply, “Nah, didn’t really pan out. He wasn’t ready for a relationship.”

It’s as good a lie as any and as they throw me sympathetic frowns, I chance another glance at the door, my heart leaping when I catch movement. Unfortunately, it’s only Dr. Goddard and his wife, followed by three blond children walking in perfect unison. Though adorable, they’re stuffed into uncomfortable-looking Christmas outfits that coordinate perfectly with Dr. Goddard’s suit and his wife’s dress. The whole effect is a little ridiculous.

“So how has it been working with Dr. Russell?” Megan asks, aiming a conspiratorial smile at Erika before continuing, “I’ll be honest, we didn’t think you’d last this long.”

Surely there’s something better to talk about. Maybe I should have launched into that discussion about Cooper after all. It’s better than having to look them in the eye and make up some phony reply about how, Actually, it’s not so bad guys. Ha ha. Yup, I just had to tough it out for the first few weeks and now we’ve really hit our stride.

Truthfully, that no-good jerk of a surgeon has stolen my heart and he’s about to walk through the door of this restaurant any minute and I’m not ready to face him. That phone call last night left my nerves frayed.

“Do you hear that? It’s the sound of me tearing that ‘contract’ in two.”

Ha! Well too bad, buddy, because I made copies!

I can still hear the determination in his voice. He really thinks I’m just going to throw caution to the wind and give in to this…this lust that’s been building inside me for the last few weeks.

I’m considering all of this, of course, as he arrives. One minute, the doorway is empty, and the next, Matt is striding through with all the confidence of a king. My entire body stiffens as I take him in from head to toe. He’s impossible to miss in a tailored black suit. No tie. His tan complexion stands out against his crisp white shirt. His slightly curly hair is inky black and thick. Heads turn in his direction, conversation halts around him. It’s as if God himself is making a debut at the party.

Before June’s surgery, his reputation was already larger than life. Now, it’s completely out of control. Surgeons from every floor of the hospital rush over to greet him and shake his hand. They clap him on the shoulder and act as if they’re the best of friends.

He smiles slightly and makes a good show of greeting everyone, but his eyes scan the room looking for…me.

HE’S LOOKING FOR ME.

I panic and turn back to the group, suddenly 100% positive I need to get the hell out of here.

I shouldn’t have come tonight.

My nerves are shot.

He’s a dream in that black suit, and Josie talked me into wearing this silky, short dress that seemed daring and sophisticated back at home but now just seems downright inappropriate. I look around for a jacket and home in on Erika’s date. He’s a big guy, wide around the middle—his jacket would cover me and then some.

“Hey, bud.” I say bud because I was distracted while he was introducing himself. “Could I borrow that jacket?”

He crosses his arms protectively over his chest and then replies weakly, “I’m actually kind of chilly.”

What kind of men are we raising in this country?!

I have half a mind to just rip it off him, but I don’t want to cause a scene. In fact, I want to do the exact opposite. I want to slink out of this party without Matt noticing me and run all the way home.

On a whim, I grab a flute of champagne from a passing waiter, down it in one long sip, and then hand it back. The group stares at me as I wipe the back of my hand across my mouth.

The waiter is deeply impressed with my abilities. “Um, would you like another glass, ma’am?”

I want every flute on his tray, but that won’t solve my problem. I shake my head and thank him before addressing the group.

“Listen, guys, I’m not feeling well all of a sudden—”

“Probably because you just shot-gunned champagne like you were at a frat party,” Erika cuts in, deeply suspicious of my weird behavior.

I wave away her insane suggestion. “No. I was feeling bad before that.”

“What hurts?” Megan asks, concern oozing from her pores. She’s way more gullible than Erika, clearly.

“My head.” That’s not enough to convince Erika, so I add, “And my…” I suddenly can’t think of a single part of the human body. “Aaarm? Yes, my arm.” I cradle it against my chest. “I’m going to head home. Merry Christmas, everyone!”

I turn and scan the party for the best route. There’s only one entrance and Matt’s blocking it, but I’m hoping by the time I reach Josie, one of his many admirers will have drawn him farther into the room and I’ll sneak out without him even knowing I was here. It’s the only option I have. I move quickly, like I’m on a stealth mission. I push my hair over my left shoulder and use it like a curtain to shield my face on the off chance Matt looks in my direction.