CHAPTER 9
DRAKE
We weren’t exactly on a date, were we?
Nevertheless, I couldn’t help thinking of the dates I had been on the past few years. They had all been a flop, except for one. There was one woman who had captured my interest for a while, but we were only together for a few months. Besides, she was certainly no match for Dr. Georgia Hill.
Looking at the beautiful woman in front of me, I couldn’t believe how fate had brought us together. First, we’d met because she’d somehow been assigned to replace my original sports doctor. Second, my dad had suddenly requested me to come to this convention where she happened to be a participant, too.
I didn’t really believe in signs and all that destiny stuff. But thinking about these events, I couldn’t help wondering if there was some truth there. What’s the purpose of meeting this woman? Was she supposed to play some role in this new chapter in my life?
“Drake.” Her firm yet sweet, friendly voice brought me back to the real world. I focused my attention on her and smiled.
“How long do you intend to work at your father’s company?” she asked.
I’ve asked myself that same question these past days. I still didn’t have an answer. “I’m not sure yet,” I said truthfully. “I’m sort of just going with the flow for now, trying to see if I’d fit in or if this is something I would want to do for a long time.”
“Your dad must have had a reason to reach out again and try to convince you to learn and get trained,” she noted. “He must know you have what it takes.”
“Or he doesn’t have any other option?” I said the first thing that came to mind. I’d been so used to not being given much importance at home that it was the immediate thought that came to mind. Suddenly, I felt embarrassed. It must have sounded very sarcastic.
She didn’t appear to mind, though. She simply smiled sympathetically and shook her head. “No,” she said firmly. “I think he has always believed in your abilities, but was probably waiting for you to come around, to claim this for yourself. He must have been thinking that football was a waste of your intelligence and talent, and maybe it’s the reason he hadn’t supported you in that career.”
I paused, shocked at her words. They seemed to have scored a touchdown in my heart. She had a point there, which got me thinking. I began to nod slowly. “I never thought of it like that before.”
Her smile widened, brightening the spark of hope that was beginning to grow in me more. “It’s always helpful to get other people’s perspectives.”
“You’re right,” I agreed. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
After finishing our drinks and gobbling up some burgers and fries, too, we walked around a bit, checking out the items for sale in the shops. I normally wouldn’t enjoy window-shopping, but simply being with Georgia was already a breath of fresh air for me. Every minute seemed to pass by quickly, making me yearn to spend even more time with her.
We were lining up already for the cable car ride going back when a strange man who looked a few years older than me went up to Georgia. I eyed him warily as he approached her with a determined look on his face. He seemed to be checking her out.
“Georgia Hill, I never thought I’d see you here,” he said smoothly when he was finally behind us in the line. He completely ignored me.
Georgia looked up in surprise. Recognition dawned on her face. “Oh, hello, Dr. Smith!” she exclaimed. She seemed happy to see him, which bothered me a lot.
They actually embraced and then launched into an animated conversation. As I listened, I gathered that he was a colleague of hers in a hospital where she had worked before. They had obviously dated previously. I just couldn’t tell to what extent.
Georgia seemed to have forgotten about me. She was quite absorbed in the conversation as they talked about their old friends. Her eyes sparkled, while her smile brightened up her face. I felt a tinge of jealousy creeping into my heart. Frowning, I cleared my throat. That was the only time she turned toward me and appeared to realize that she had not yet introduced me to her “friend.”
“Oh, by the way, James...” She turned back to him and then motioned to me. “This is my patient, uh friend, Drake Walton.”
It didn’t escape me that she now referred to him by his first name. They seemed to be very good friends. I nodded in acknowledgement.
“Are you in any way related to the owners of Walton Pharmaceuticals?” Dr. James Smith asked with fascination. My name had apparently rung a bell.
“Yes,” I said without going into any further detail. “I’m here to represent our company.”
“He’s the son of the Roger Walton,” Georgia quipped.
“Holy—” James started, his mouth opening wide. I couldn’t really understand what the big deal was all about. A minute ago, he was ignoring me completely. Now suddenly, he was all over me, asking questions and wanting to get to know me better.
I felt weirded out, but I just smiled and nodded. I wasn’t much of a talker, after all. He treated me like I was some sort of celebrity, which was overwhelmingly strange. At least he wasn’t trying to woo Georgia anymore.
He kept chatting us up the whole time we waited for our ride. I was so relieved when we finally climbed onto our cable car. I was afraid he’d come with us, but at least he didn’t.
“See you later at the assembly,” he said, waving at us.
I nodded politely and then turned to Georgia when we were way up high already. “I can’t believe that man,” I muttered. It made her laugh.
“I’m sorry about James,” she said. “He’s just like that, always so bubbly and talkative. And he’s really a huge fan of your dad.”
“I pity him,” I said.
Georgia laughed even more, which made me smile. “Don’t mind him.”
“I’ll be seeing more of him, I guess,” I said, groaning. Then changing the subject, I found myself asking, “So did you two actually date before?”
She looked startled but answered, “We went out on a blind date, arranged by a common friend. We ended up talking and laughing like old friends, but that’s about it. I’m glad I met him, though. He’s been a great friend ever since, but we just sort of lost touch the past months. Good thing we met again here.”
At least he wasn’t going to be a problem because she didn’t seem interested in him in that sort of way. Still, one can never tell.
As we talked along the way, I learned more about Georgia’s college days and training as a medical doctor. It felt like we had come to know each other in just a few hours, as if we had been good friends for a long time.
Sometimes when she was talking about something serious, the expression on her face made her look familiar. It was as if I had seen her before, but I just couldn’t remember where or when.
I walked Georgia back to her cabin. We stopped at the foot of the stairs, hesitating. After getting off to a great start, I just didn’t want to come on too strong or make her feel like I was imposing.
“So…” she began as we stood in front of each other, just smiling and trying to get a feel of each other’s thoughts and emotions.
“So…” I echoed. Then grinning, I added, “So this was a good start to the convention, I believe. Never expected to run into you.”
“Neither did I,” she said softly, her eyes twinkling.
“It was unexpectedly wonderful hanging out with you, Dr. Hill,” I said in a semi-teasing tone.
She gave a gentle laugh. “Hhmmm… Does that mean you didn’t expect to have fun with your female doctor?”
“Well, not really,” I said honestly, chuckling.
“I’ve become friends with a lot of patients in the past, though…” she started.
“But?” I prodded.
She laughed. “Is there supposed to be a ‘but’?”
“Sounded like it.”
Nodding and laughing at the same time, she continued the sentence. “But… you’re different. I can’t explain how, but you are. I’m happy we got to spend time together today.”
“It definitely will not be the last,” I promised her. “That is, if you’re willing to put up with someone like me throughout the convention?”
Her sweet laughter made something inside me rouse again. It was heartwarming and at the same time stimulating. “I think I can handle that,” she finally said, making me laugh.
“I’ll see you later, doctor,” I told her, stepping back while I could still hold back. In reality, I wanted to kiss her right then and there, carry her to her room, and close the door behind us.
“See you, Drake,” she said.
We parted ways, but it wasn’t going to be for long. I could hardly wait for the welcome dinner assembly.