“I’m never too busy for you.”
Rocco rolls his hand in the air. “For you, my favorite brother. You forgot to finish your sentence.”
I don’t have a favorite. Rocco is the one I feel most comfortable talking to about life stuff, but even that has a limit.
“I stopped by because I was in the neighborhood and Pop said some guy was giving you grief.” He eyes the flowers. “Are those from him?”
I study his profile. I know he wasn’t in the neighborhood. The words my father said to him are what brought him here. I barely even mentioned Evan to my dad the other night, but the Jones men are fiercely protective. This awkward conversation is proof of that.
“Your conference call is in five, Chloe.” Gabi appears in the doorway. “I can entertain your brother while you take care of business.”
Rocco turns back to look at her. “It’s a tempting offer, Gabi, but I’ve got business of my own to handle. Maybe another time?”
There will never be a time when my assistant hooks up with my brother. She’s always flirting with him and he tactfully shuts it down with a reasonable excuse and a killer smile.
“Everyone out.” I motion to the doorway. “I’ll talk to you later, Rocco, and tell dad I’m a big girl.”
He stands and buttons his coat. “You’re the baby of the family. You should be used to it by now. No man is going to hurt you again, Chloe. We won’t let it happen.”
I won’t either. My heart is locked away and there isn’t a bouquet of flowers or a handwritten note that will change that.
Chapter 12
Evan
You know what they say about best plans to get laid…or is it best laid plans?
If I wasn’t the gentleman that I am, I’d say that Jane was the best lay I’ve ever had but I don’t fuck and tell.
I missed my second chance today because of a complication with a patient who Jordan worked on last week.
Where was Jordan when the call for help came?
No one fucking knows so they called the only person they knew would hightail it across town and scrub in. Me.
I cursed as I left the Roasting Point Café and hopped on the subway.
It wasn’t until I was at the hospital that the brilliant idea to send Vanessa on a mission to meet up with Jane hit me.
I took a chance when I asked Vanessa to handle picking up flowers for Jane. She agreed without question, so I wrote out a quick note, addressed it to Jane, and put some cash in my favorite nurse’s palm.
“You’re on fire today, Evan,” Jordan,
the bastard who turned his phone off earlier, walks into the staff locker room. “Two procedures in a row without missing a beat? Something tells me you’re going to steal employee of the month from me.”
I turn to look at him as I tug a T-shirt over my head. “Something tells me that you’re an asshole. That something is reality. Where the fuck were you earlier?”
His gaze drops to the floor. “I took my mom to the airport. She hung around for a few extra days to make sure her baby boy is taking care of himself.”
“You have a brother?” I deadpan. “Why didn’t you answer your phone?”
He tugs his phone from his pants pocket. “The battery died. I didn’t realize it was non-operational until an hour ago.”
I’d call bullshit but I’m not wasting another minute in this place. I need sleep.
“You’re covering my rounds in the morning.” I pat him on the chest. “Don’t bother trying to talk your way out of it. It’s happening.”
“I can handle that.” He nods. “I’m in a particularly good mood since my date with Kylie is only days away.”