Hotshot Doc(91)

I hold a hand next to my mouth and hold up a finger—the universal sign for, Just one second, I’m chewing.

“No worries.” The woman laughs softly. “I’m the one interrupting your lunch break.”

I gulp down my bite and then force a smile. “It’s fine, really. Um, in answer to your question, yes, I was assisting him earlier.”

She grins, pleased with my answer, and then she takes the seat opposite me.

Alrighty then. Help yourself.

I was sort of hoping this would be a two-second conversation—yes, I was in the OR. Okay, bye now—but apparently not. I longingly look down at the second half of my sandwich, and then I force my attention back to her. I notice then that she doesn’t really fit in with NEMC’s usual crowd. For one, she’s a total hippie. She’s beautiful, but not in an intimidating way, more in a salt-of-the-earth, ethereal-art-teacher way. The pattern on her long maxi skirt is made of abstract swirls of magenta and blue, and her cream turtleneck stretches adorably over a very round baby bump.

“I’m so relieved to have found you. I’ve been trying to get in contact with Dr. Russell for weeks and I can’t seem to track him down.” She reaches into her purse and pulls out a small chocolate bar. “Do you mind?” I nod, dumbly, and she tears into it. “Sorry, this baby really likes chocolate. I wasn’t even really a fan of it before, but it’s all I want to eat these days.”

“Umm…”

I look around us, wondering if anyone else in the lobby can see this woman. Am I hallucinating? I know I haven’t been eating much lately, but…

She must sense my confusion because she laughs and smacks her forehead. “Of course. Where are my manners? I’m Victoria, Dr. Russell’s ex-wife.”

My mouth drops and I say very bluntly, “No way.”

Her shrugs. “Guilty as charged I’m afraid.” Then she flinches. “Oh, don’t tell him I said that. It was meant as a joke, but now it just seems mean. He’s truly not such a bad guy. Not so good at returning phone calls—or emails, for that matter—but other that, he’s decent.” She laughs again. “I don’t know why I’m telling you this. You work for him—you probably know him better than I do nowadays.”

Maybe so considering I also sleep with him…at least I used to.

I swallow that thought, stay quiet, and nod.

This can’t be right. In my head I’d pictured her as a caricature of an ex-wife: bitter and out for blood. This woman sitting across from me is neither of those things. She’s a glowing pregnant lady nibbling on chocolate.

“We were married a long time ago,” she emphasizes before pointing one finger down at her belly. “Obviously.”

“Congratulations,” I say, because what the heck else am I supposed to say? “About your pregnancy, not about it being a long time ago.”

She grins. “Thank you. Want a piece?” Her chocolate bar is outstretched toward me and I’ve had a terrible morning, so of course I accept a few squares. We munch for a moment or two in silence and then she continues. “Matt—er, Dr. Russell hasn’t been returning my messages and I really need to speak with him. We invested in this tiny condo when we were newlyweds, and I put it up on the market last year. It finally sold and—” Our gazes meet and she stops suddenly, realizing none of this is really my business. “Sorry, I’m an over-sharer. Don’t ever sit by me on an airplane or I’ll chat your ear off the whole flight.”

“It’s okay.”

She flashes a remorseful frown. “You probably just want to get back to your lunch, but I was hoping you’d help me track him down. He wasn’t in his office when I went up to speak with him after the surgery, and his assistant said she couldn’t tell me when he’d be back. Also, she sort of yelled at me to leave him alone.”

I resist a laugh. Matt probably needs peace and quiet after the week he’s had. Patricia is likely scaring everyone away on his orders.

“Yeah, Patricia’s fiercely loyal. She’s been with him since he started here.”

“What about you? Have you two been working together for long?”

I was wondering if our conversation would veer in this direction. In fact, I’ve sort of been dreading it. I could smile and tell her I just started working with him, or I could be honest and volunteer that he and I aren’t just coworkers. I really want to choose the first option, but I’ve never been very good at deception.

Not to mention, this meeting could be used as an opportunity of sorts, one I might not ever get again. Perhaps I’d be silly to pass it up because Victoria knows more than anyone what it’s like to be in a relationship with Matt, and right now, I could definitely use some advice.

So, I take a deep breath, put down my sandwich, and lay out the truth. “Matt and I aren’t just coworkers. We’re dating.”

Her brows arch and she blinks a few times in quick succession. I think I’ve really surprised her.

“I didn’t know Matt was dating.”

I blush. “It’s new.”

She waves her hands hurriedly. “That came out wrong. I just meant I wasn’t aware he was even interested in dating, let alone dating someone seriously. What’s your name?” she asks tentatively, and I’m surprised to find it’s not speculation or annoyance in her eyes—it’s curiosity, and maybe even a little relief.