Evan

When I turn back around after the call, Chloe is already on her feet. I move toward her. I know she heard my name but why the fuck would I care about that? I just had the best sex of my life in my own bed.

She knows where I live. I don’t see any reason not to tell her my surname.

“Do you need to go?” She bends down to pick up her panties. “I’ll get dressed.”

I push both of my hands through my hair. “We have time. I don’t need to leave yet. The patient is being monitored.”

She doesn’t stop what she’s doing. Once the panties are on, she finds her bra. “I should still go. It’s late and I have a lot to do tomorrow.”

“It’s Saturday,” I point out as I adjust the bra strap on her shoulder. “Your boss doesn’t force you to work weekends, does he or is it she?”

She sighs. “I work for myself. It’s a small practice. I’m building it up slowly.”

This woman is a force of nature. It’s impressive. It’s damn impressive that she’s betting everything on herself.

“Can I use the washroom?” She shifts from one foot to another. “That soda I had at the arena is catching up with me.”

I laugh softly. “It’s across the hall.”

She starts toward my bedroom door but before she’s halfway there she drops to both knees.

“I feel so…” Her left arm moves behind her in search of me.

I’m there. I drop to my knees too and pull her next to me. “What’s wrong? Tell me what it is?”

“I’m so dizzy.” She rests her head against my chest. “I feel really dizzy.”

“I need you to try and stand up.” I inch up to one knee. “Lean on me. Just lean your entire body weight on me and I’ll take care of you.”

She nods without any hesitation before she slowly gets to her feet. “I didn’t have much to eat today.”

“Your blood sugar is low.” I help her back to the bed. “Sit here and I’ll get some juice. Promise me you won’t try and stand.”

Her eyes meet mine and I know she instantly sees all the concern I feel for her. “I’ll wait right here for you.”

I jog to the kitchen and fill a glass with orange juice. I’m back next to her in less than two minutes.

“Drink this.” I push the glass toward her. “Drink it all.”

She nods as she brings it to her mouth and takes a large swallow. “I haven’t been that dizzy in years. I think the last time was during chemo.”

Time stops. I’m pretty fucking sure my heart does too.

Chemo?

I look down at the floor because you can’t say that word to me and not expect me to press for more. It goes beyond the fact that I’m a fucking doctor. I know the brutality of those treatments. I watched someone I love try to fight her way to the other side in one piece.

“What brand of orange juice is this?” she asks after she takes the last sip. “I like it.”

I can’t fucking remember. How the hell would I remember that? I buy the cheap stuff and shove it into my fridge so I can down a glass between shifts.

I want to ask about the chemo but that moment has passed. I’m not even sure she realizes that she let the word slip.

“Do you need to go be a surgeon now?” She hands me back the empty glass. “I think I’ll be fine now.”

“I’ll take you home on my way.”

She’s saved by the bell. Literally. My phone starts ringing again.

Fuck that thing.

I pick it up from where I tossed it on the bed. “What is it?”

I hang my head as I listen to Kylie rattle off a series of numbers that should be making sense to me. I can’t focus. All I can think about is the fact that Chloe had chemo at some point in her life.

“I’m leaving now,” I say brusquely before I end the call.

“I’ll be fine to get home on my own.” Chloe stands and puts her hands on her hips. “I’m good as new.”

I look at her face. Jesus. All I want is to tuck her in my bed and keep her there. This woman has been through way too much in her life already.

My phone starts up again. I want to smash it against the wall but I can’t. I fucking can’t because I need to get to work so I can assist Kylie in surgery.

“I’ll get dressed and find my way home.” Chloe leans forward and kisses my cheek. “Thank you for everything, Evan.”

Thank you for storming into my life. I ache to say the words but I don’t. Instead I answer my phone and watch her get dressed before she walks away.