"Hi, Dad. What's going on?" She pressed her back to the wall and let
her eyes move along the hall. Jeremy had been in the room behind her, which was good. She could talk to him and his wife a little while later to check on their little girl. She hadn't seen anyone else from work, but it was probably a hush-hush situation.
"Just making sure you're still coming over tomorrow night for dinner. You and two guests, right?"
"We sure are. I'm looking forward to it." Jamie wrapped her free arm around herself, hoping to stay warm. Her outfit didn't help much, but she wasn't complaining. It was cute, it fit, and her sexy boyfriend thought enough about her to pick it out for her.
Or thought of himself. Pervert. She smiled warmly.
"Excellent. You guys don't need to bring anything. We're doing turkey and ham, and I'll be making your favorite cornbread dressing. Just like Granny Mae used to make for us." She could almost sense the longing in her dad's voice for her to be there now.
"Perfect. We'll be over after breakfast tomorrow, Dad. I can help make the stuffing with you, just like we did when I was younger."
"Really? I would love that."
"Absolutely." The sound of clapping and laughter rose up behind her, and she turned in the open doorway to see Alex walking toward her. "I need to go, Dad. We're at the hospital giving out gifts to the children's ward."
"Oh, nice. Your idea?"
"Nope. Alex's." Jamie reached for him as he stopped in front of her, his eyebrow raised as if questioning who she was talking to.
"That's even better. I'm glad you found a good man. I just hope he deserves you."
"He does, Dad. It's me who might be a bit undeserving of such a good guy." She brushed his hair back and gazed up at him as recognition moved across his face, softening his features.
"Yeah, right. Anyway... we'll see you tomorrow, pumpkin. I love you."
"Love you too." Jamie pulled the phone from her ear and smiled. The words had once felt foreign to say over the phone, but she and her dad had somehow found their way back to each other... and he was working on her mother and sister, so Jamie couldn’t complain one bit. "Looks like you have them captivated."
"Yeah... too much maybe. Every woman in this room has hit on me ten times. I'm fucking glad you're back. Let's grab the gifts from the truck, and then we'll give them out and head home. I'm starving. Did we eat lunch?" He moved out of the open door and took her hand.
"No, and breakfast was a muffin. We can make something good tonight."
"Or pick up something from that Italian place you love." He glanced down at her.
"That sounds even better." Jamie tightened her hand on his. "Now tell me who's been hitting on you again? I'll start handing out ass-whoopings to the moms while you give the kids a great gift."
He chuckled. "Just make sure none of them try to sit on my lap, please. I swear."
She couldn't help but roll her eyes. He was far too handsome to be in the tight Santa suit, and yet his intentions were beyond good.
Dr. Bennet met them at the door. "How's it going?"
"Great, actually." Alex nodded toward the exit door. "Jamie has all of the presents in the truck. Do you have a few guys who can come out and help us?"
"Absolutely. I'll grab some and meet you guys out there."
"I like him. He seems like a good guy." Jamie squeezed Alex's hand as they walked out into the late snowy afternoon.
"He's a great guy, and a brilliant surgeon. He's got an incredible staff here too. Their head of neurology is quite the genius. I've been at several of the award ceremonies where the man's won surgeon of the year." He shrugged and moved to the back of the truck.
"Well, nice to know people when you need to, I guess." She slid her arms around him from behind and pressed her cheek to his back, enjoying the warmth he provided.
Dr. Bennet came out a few seconds later with three guys in scrubs. They introduced themselves, and Alex turned to Jamie.
"This is Simon. He's the one I mentioned." He smiled at her.
Jamie glanced over at Simon, a little taken aback by how good-looking and young the surgeon was. "Nice to meet you. Alex says you're quite the surgeon."