Chapter 4
Sarah
“So?” Jill’s waiting impatiently for my response. “What did you say?”
I can’t help the smile that creeps up on me. Jill would never be jealous of me. She’s not that kind of person. But she’s super excited. As excited as if she was the one that Cory asked out. She is such a fan of him. I don’t quite get it. I’ve never followed sports myself. Even when I do catch the occasional game, I don’t really get into it the way other people do. I had no idea that Jill was so into it herself. That she knows the names of so many hockey players and follows them closely.
Although I can see why she follows Cory. He’s a super hottie. I was checking out his team on my break earlier on. They’re actually all pretty hot. Tough, rugged guys. And in uniform too, which doesn’t hurt at all. Not one bit. But he stands out even among them.
The moment that Jill found out that I treated Cory, she cornered me to ask me all about it. I went into the uninteresting details of his injury for as long as I could drag it out. Just to see if she would stop me. She didn’t.
That’s pretty unbelievable. His injury is standard and so is his treatment. It would be completely unremarkable in almost anyone else, but extra care has to be taken considering he’s a pro hockey player and he uses his legs differently than most people. So his care does require something extra.
And still, Jill’s hanging on my every word. “I hope he heals fast. The team really needs him this season. There’s no one who can match The Core.”
Once I let it slip that he asked me out, her jaw nearly hit the floor. “Are you serious?”
We ducked into an empty exam room to have this conversation once it got quiet out front. Now Jill’s closing the door and leaning against it as if she has to hold herself up after the shock of what I’ve just said.
“Yes.” I’m trying to act all casual, just to bug her a bit. But it’s hard to hide my excitement. From the first time Cory and I met, I felt something between us. I don’t know. I’ve never felt anything like sparks from a patient before. And I did try to keep thinking of him that way. Just as a patient. Because it would be really inappropriate for me to get involved with a patient in any way.
But I couldn’t get him off my mind for a awhile after his first visit. I don’t know what it is. But it’s like there’s a connection between us. Definite interest. On my side at least. And now Cory’s made it clear that he feels it too, since he asked me out.
At first I wasn’t sure if I was imagining things. Sometimes patients flirt with me. It’s actually a good way of determining if they’re in serious medical trouble or not. Anyone who’s in dire straits won’t waste their breath or pain tolerance on something like that. It’s a great quick way to make an assessment. Because we do get emergencies in the clinic more often than I expected we would. Frankly it’s making me wonder if I should switch over to a hospital ER once I finish school. But there’s lots of time to decide that.
“Tell me.” Jill insists. “What did you say to him?”
“I said yes. He asked me out for dinner on the weekend. And I said yes.”
I still can’t quite believe it. I wasn’t sure what to do in the situation. I knew perfectly well what I wanted to do. I knew that I should say no. I knew it. But I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. I can only hope it wasn’t wrong to say yes. As soon as I can tonight, I’m going to check up on the ethical code of conduct that we have to abide by. Because I want to make sure that I won’t make a big mistake. I don’t ever want that. But especially not at this stage of my career, not when I’m just starting out in the medical field. I want to have a great career. Long and successful. My work is important to me. It means everything to me to become a nurse.
“Oh, Sarah. That’s great. I’m jealous.” Her eyes sparkle as she speaks. She’s not really. I mean I know she has a thing for Cory. But she’d never be truly jealous in a negative way.
“Is it?” I want to know. “Because isn’t dating a patient against the rules? I don’t want to do anything wrong. Or get in trouble.”
“Well, it’s not like you’re a doctor.” Jill purses her lips. “We have a different code of conduct than they do. And from what Cory said, his leg is clearing up nicely. Is he coming back for a follow up?”
“No. He won’t need to.”
“So then he’s no longer a patient here at this clinic. Or an ongoing one of yours in particular. He’s done here. And if he comes back for any reason after you get involved, then he can see someone else. Me, for example. I wouldn’t mind a bit. You can get out of any future appointments easily. And no one will have a problem with that.”
“Hold up. Involved? It’s one date and we haven’t even been on it yet. There’s no involvement.”
“Don’t tell me you’re not thinking of the future already. I know you.” Jill smirks at me. “I’ll be surprised if you’re not planning your wedding already. But don’t you dare plan it much without me.”
She knows me too well. “I’m changing that. I’m not doing that anymore. That never leads anywhere good. We’re going on one date, and that’s all I’m thinking about this time. Nothing beyond that. Are you absolutely sure it’s okay for me to go out with him?”
“Sarah, if I was single, I’d be all over Cory Reynolds. Like I said. We’re not doctors. You’re not doing anything unethical here. He asked you out. You didn’t do anything inappropriate. Not at all. But if it’s bothering you enough, call him up and cancel.”
It’s the logical thing to do. That would put my mind right at ease. Then there’d be no issue. Nothing to worry about.
“No.” I sound decisive. More so than I feel. “I want to give this a shot. I’m going to go out with him. Like you said. There’s nothing inappropriate here. He’s not a patient of mine.”
“Good for you. You haven’t been on a single date since you started working here.”
I tug on my ponytail to tighten it. “I know. Between work and studying and classes, I haven’t had any time.”
“I know it’s not easy. I’ve been there too. But you need to find a balance. All work and no play is no good for you. Go on. Go out with the hot hockey star and have some fun. You’ve been working so hard for so long now. You deserve a tiny little break at the very least.”
Jill lowers her voice even though there’s no one in the room and the door is still closed behind us. “Although I’m sure there’s nothing little about Cory.”
“Jill!”
She gives me a grin. “Have fun and report back.”
We back head out together, and then go our separate ways. She’s right. I am looking forward to this.
It’s just one date. No pressure. Just having some fun with a good-looking guy. It’s been way too long since I’ve done anything like that. My dating life got shoved right to the back burner when I started school and my job. There’s simply no time to get involved with anyone seriously right now.
And from what Jill told me about hockey players so far, is that they’re all players. There are very few exceptions. So I can’t imagine that this date will lead to anything at all. Anything except a good time. And that sounds really good to me right now.
Rounding the corner to the supply room, I almost bump into Ash.
He catches me by the shoulders, although it’s not strictly necessary. It’s not like last time where we truly collided.
Not that I mind him touching me, of course.
“Careful.” His eyes are twinkling. “We don’t want a repeat of last time. No need for injuries more at the clinic. We get enough already.”
Ash rubs at my arm. The gesture is unexpectedly familiar. At the same time, it’s also very unexpectedly hot. How can a man touching my arm lightly send sparks skating over my skin?
It doesn’t make sense.
Or maybe it does make sense when the man doing it is Dr. Ash. His eyes catch mine. Am I blushing? I can’t even tell anymore. I can’t breathe. I hope I’m not blushing. That would be almost as embarrassing as if he could read my thoughts right now.
Because my thoughts are very, very unprofessional. I shouldn’t be thinking of him this way. Not now. Not at the clinic. Not ever.
I don’t know what to say. I still can’t catch my breath. This is crazy. We not only work together in a respected medical clinic. He’s my boss too. I work for him. I can’t be thinking these thoughts.
“I’d never want to hurt you, Sarah.” It’s a casual comment, but somehow it sounds like he means something else. Like he’s flirting with me.
No. No way. Not possible. Dr. Ash is professional at all times. And even if he wasn’t, there’s no way he’d ever hit on me. As much as I have a crush on him, he’s so far out of my league.
Not going to happen.
Then he shocks me again. By pushing a piece of my hair off my shoulder. I can barely hold back a gasp.
There’s no mistaking that kind of a gesture. It’s way too familiar. It’s definitely something only a man who was involved with you would do. Very inappropriate. I don’t mind at all. But what’s going on here?
As if he realizes what he’s just done, Dr. Ash pulls his hand back away from me as if he’s been burned. Like he touched me without thinking. Which he must’ve done. It’s so out of character for him. It’s like neither one of us can believe it. He turns and walks away without another word.
I continue on to finish what I was doing. My mind is in turmoil. What on earth was that about? Is there even the slightest chance that Dr. Ash thinks of me in a non-professional way?
Before now, I’d never have even considered that. Now I don’t know what to believe.