After the procedure goes off without a single complication, Emily stands somewhat smug in the corner of the room. There was a moment when she tried to interject her suggestions once again, but after a single look, she shut the hell up. Considering I’ve dealt with children swallowing toys more than a handful of times, I understand what works and what doesn’t. It takes experience to know these things—experience I’m not sure she actually has. I would never do anything to put my patients at risk for a complication, especially a child, and for her to make insinuations pisses me off. We’re not off to a good start.

Once I fully explain aftercare to the child’s mother and answer a few questions, Emily and I walk into the hall, then I turn to look at her. “It’s as if you wanted me to be wrong.”

She opens her mouth, then closes it as she tries to stay in step with my fast pace. “I would never. I was just concerned.”

“I don’t need your concern. I know you’re new, but I’m one of the best doctors in this hospital—which I’ve earned.”

“I’m not new. I was an intern with one of the strictest attending doctors in one of the largest cities in the US. I’ve done my dues. I’ve worked my ass off to be here. The last thing I need is you treating me like I’m lesser than.”

I laugh. “And I don’t need you acting like you know everything.”

The silence is so sharp it cuts through the moment like a knife.

“Are you ever going to allow me to explain this weekend, or are you going to keep treating me like the biggest inconvenience of your life?”

I finally make eye contact with her. “That’s a great way to put it.”

She shakes her head and walks past me. “You’re impossible.”

“So are you. Take your lunch. I’ll see you back here in thirty minutes, Dr. Bell.” I don’t wait for her to reply before I turn and make my way toward the cafeteria.

Memories from Friday night come in flashes. Her body pressed against mine, and how her lips felt as they slid across my skin. As I stand in line for a grilled chicken salad, I try to shake the thoughts away, but they keep coming, which is goddamn frustrating. Thankfully, the day is going by much faster than I anticipated but still not quick enough. Sitting at a table close to the windows, I pull out my phone and read the missed texts from Jackson as I eat.

Dammit. I thought I’d get out of participating this year because she hadn’t said a thing about it. I’m sure Mama already made sure I had off too, considering she basically knows everyone in a one-hundred-mile radius. I’ve tried to use the excuse that I had to work more than once, and to this day, it’s never worked. Just as I close out of my texts and open my email, a body plops in the chair in front of me. I’m actually relieved when I look up and see River.

“How’s it going so far?” River smirks as she pours ranch on her salad.

With a single look, she knows the answer.

“It’s already been a hell of a day, and I’m ready for it to be over,” I tell her truthfully.

River smiles. “It can’t be that bad. And only a few more hours left.”

I actually let out a laugh. “You mean five more hours. That’s a lot more than a few.”

“You sure know how to ruin a good time.” She leans forward. “And I’m sure there’s a handful of people here that’d agree with me.”

“You better be glad you’re family. That’s all I have to say.” There are times when I’m known for being too serious, and River likes to rub it in any chance she gets. None of the other Bishops have seen both aspects of my life except for River. She understands the medical field and might be the only one who gets me on that level, which is nice. Unfortunately, though, it doesn’t excuse me from getting extra shit from her on a daily basis—at work and on the ranch.

Sometimes when River starts talking, it’s almost impossible to get a word in edgewise, but I’m relieved for the much-needed distraction. She goes on about traveling for the honeymoon, the baby, and work drama. Once we’ve finished eating, I head back to the ER. My pager goes off, and a nurse walks up, speaking in a rushed tone to fill me in on the situation. At least there’s never a dull moment.

“We have a patient who went into cardiac arrest as soon as he was admitted for chest pains. Dr. Bell is in there now.”

“What the hell?” I pick up my pace and enter the room, which is in complete chaos. A nurse is holding a barrier mask on the patient’s face while a defibrillator is used to try to resuscitate the patient.

“Charge it to three hundred,” Emily orders, rubbing the gel and paddles together before pressing them to the patient’s chest. The heart rate stays flat, and she asks for another charge, then another. Eventually, the heart begins beating slowly before moving to a normal rhythm. Oxygen is placed on the patient’s face, and nurses scatter around the room.

“Blood pressure is rising,” Veronica says. I look over at Emily who is as calm as can be. She gives orders, and the nurses in the room follow her instructions. Moments later, the patient is stabilized, and the cardiologist enters the room. I stand back and watch as Emily speaks with him, giving a full detail of what happened. After the patient is conscious and is told he’ll be moving to cardiology, I exit the room with Emily on my heels.

“Dr. Bell.” I turn around, but before I can get another word out, she unleashes her wrath.

“I’m not a fucking intern so quit treating me and watching me like I’m one. And if I ever have to choose between saving someone’s life and pissing you off, well… you’re gonna have to be pissed.”

Not sure I really deserved that response, but I chalk it up to being in the heat of the moment. Since that man flatlined and could’ve died on her watch, I get it.

“You’ve been here for exactly one day, and you have a lot to prove. Sorry, sweetheart, but you’re not in Houston anymore, and as far as I’m concerned, you might as well be a damn intern. You’re fresh out of residency.”

“What does Houston have to do with this?” she asks, glaring at me.

“Considering who your father is, I think it has a lot to do with things. Bottom line is if you want respect, you’re going to have to earn it, Dr. Bell. Simple as that. No one here gives two shits who your daddy is, and you’re not going to get any favors because of it. And I refuse to kiss your ass like all the other guppies who knew your father. I’m well aware how all this works.”

If looks could kill, I’d be dead, but luckily, I’m already standing in the ER, so hopefully, someone would quickly resuscitate me. I’m sure, by the way she’s glaring at me, she’d let me flatline. Her jaw tightens, and she balls her hands into tight fists before storming off. It’s obvious I struck a nerve.

Good.

In medical school, I had to work hard, and it didn’t get any easier during my internship. There were no favors handed to me because my father was a reputable doctor. Every opportunity I was given was earned. I refuse to allow someone with a silver spoon in her mouth to come in and act as if she’s running something. With every chance I get, I’ll knock her down a few pegs. It’s the least I can do for her sweltering ego.

Before Emily was hired, I was given a rundown of her history, how she graduated from the top of her class, received her residency at one of the busiest hospitals in Houston, and how she just happens to be the daughter of the famous Dr. Jason Bell. She’s more than qualified for the position here, but I’ve learned over the years that being tough teaches people to be better. It’s the number one reason I’ve been successful.

The silent treatment continues for hours, and when she’s forced to speak, it’s short and to the point. If we’re able to keep this up, I might actually be able to work with her without any issues. She’s so quiet as we check on patients it’s as if she’s not even there, which I like. Maybe she’ll actually learn her place in this hospital after all.

As we’re standing at the nurses’ station, Dr. Creevey stops me with a smile. She’s older and knows the family, but she works up in the Dialysis Unit, so I hardly see her. She was one of the first people Mama called when I announced I was going to medical school. If it weren’t for her talking my parents off the ledge, I don’t know if they would've been so supportive of me moving away.

“Evan. It’s been so long since we’ve crossed paths. How’re things going?” she asks, then politely says hello to Emily.

“Great. Still the same ole stuff. Work, ranch life, more work.”

“You’re still helping at the ranch on your days off? How’s your mama? I need to give her a call one of these days.”

“Yes, ma’am. Dad needs all the extra hands he can get. Plus, it shows them I still care. Mama’s doing really good. Getting ready for the big fundraiser for the food bank.”

“Oh yeah, you’ll be there?” she asks, already knowing the answer to that question. I don’t think I could even pay my way out of participating at this point.

Before we can finish our conversation, we’re interrupted by a nurse. We quickly say our goodbyes, and once Dr. Creevey is out of sight, I glance over at Emily and watch the scowl return on her face.

She’s so pissed at me that I have to hold back laughter. I’ve somehow already lodged myself under her skin. She’s been under mine since the moment I woke up without clothes or a clue to what the fuck happened. Considering I’m going to have to pay hundreds of dollars for that tuxedo, which, by the way, I want to fucking know about.

Before the shift is over, I make it my goal to find out regardless if she’s giving me the silent treatment. As we’re finishing paperwork at the nurses' station, I notice we’re alone, which creates the perfect time to mention it.

“Question.” I glance over at her. “Where the fuck is my tuxedo?”

“Oh, now you want to talk?” She rolls her eyes.

“Not really but considering my credit card is going to be charged for a tux and shoes that I’m currently unable to return because a crazy person stole them, I’d like to know where the hell they are.”

Emily finally looks up from a chart she’s been studying for way too long to avoid me and gives me a death stare. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”

She looks directly into my eyes, and the air between us stills. I can’t deny the attraction between us, but I push it back to the depths of hell where it belongs. If I would’ve known who she really was, this would’ve never happened. Maybe if we were two different people who didn’t work together, things could be different between us, but the reality is, we aren’t, and there’s no avoiding her. Considering our night together was based on lies, I’m not even sure being friends is in our future. Sure, she’s tried to explain herself, but nothing she could say would excuse the fact she lied or stole my fucking clothes.

“Actually, I would like to know,” I finally say, breaking the silence.

“That’s just too damn bad, isn’t it?” There’s venom in her tone, and I know she’s still pissed from earlier. She walks away, shaking her head, and with that, she single-handedly started World War III.

If she thought today was bad, well I have news for her: it’s going to get a lot worse.