“But their personalities are completely different, right?”
“God yes. Day and night. Kane is so sweet and thoughtful. He’s the type of man you’d want raising your kids because he’d make such a great dad. A man who’d be faithful and loyal, and never forget a birthday or anniversary. Honestly, he’s almost too good to be true.”
“But he doesn’t set your loins on fire. What about Knox?” She pours herself a cup of coffee as I blow on mine.
I sigh, rubbing my thighs together just thinking about him. “He’s the type of guy you’d want to tie you up and lick you from head to toe before he fucked you six ways to Sunday. I can’t explain it. I simultaneously hate and crave him.”
“Mmm. My vote is for number two then. Hate sex sounds hot.”
I burst into laughter. “You’re really no help.”
She shrugs. “I’d screw one, then marry the other once I got bored.”
“Oh my God, Abbie!” I nearly choke on my coffee. “Imagine if they had all those qualities in one man. I’d be screwed.”
“You’d never come up for air.” She giggles.
Then I tell her about Knox finding me in Harper’s shed yesterday, and she almost melts on the spot. “This is better than watching porn. Please never stop giving me all the hot and juicy details.”
I roll my eyes. “Don’t get too excited. He gave me an ultimatum.”
Her mouth falls open, and I continue telling her what he said about me making a decision by Saturday.
“So you have three days to figure it out?”
“Yep, and not a damn clue of what I’m gonna do.”
After we finish our coffee, we get straight to work. The ICU is full and keeps us busy. Abbie and I meet at the nurses’ station once things settle down.
Before starting our conversation, Dr. Michels comes from around the corner. He gives me a quick smile and pops a brow. “You managing everything okay?”
“Are you kiddin’? I live for days like this, Dr. Michels,” I admit, though it is exhausting. I just know we’re making a difference in people’s lives and helping care for them when they need it the most.
“Please, call me Aiden.”
As soon as the alarm goes off for one of my patients, I excuse myself. When I turn and look over my shoulder, Aiden’s staring at me with a smirk on his good-looking face.
Ever since he started here, he’s been nice and has gone out of his way to help me. The other day, I needed the approval to give a patient some Tylenol, and he did it within minutes. There have been times with other doctors when I’ve waited hours, but he makes it happen without question. He doesn’t hover either. Some doctors are assholes and expect nurses to kiss the ground they walk on. Aiden’s been a pleasant surprise to have around here.
Abbie and I go to the cafeteria when lunch rolls around and grab our usual. This time, Aiden comes over.
“Can I eat with you?”
“Sure,” Abbie says, and I nod, trying to chew the bite I just took.
“Today has been crazy, hasn’t it?” He removes all the croutons from his salad.
I snag one and pop it in my mouth. “Those are the best part,” I say, then realize I should’ve asked.
“Help yourself,” he tells me with amusement.
A few more minutes pass, and we continue with our small talk. Abbie has barely eaten half her food and gives me a smirk before clearing her throat. “I’m sorry, I need to give my husband a call. I’ll catch up with you two after lunch.”
I stare her down because I see right through what she’s doing.
“That’s perfectly fine,” Aiden says, and I force a smile.
“Yep! Have fun,” I tell her, and she gives me a wink when Aiden looks down at his phone. I shake my head at her as she waves and walks away. I could kill her.
“How are you likin’ it here so far?” I ask him, needing to fill the silence.
“It’s great. Much better than where I did my residency. I enjoy the smaller town life. It’s different than what I’m used to.”
“Where are you from?” I ask, taking a sip of my tea.
“Houston, but I did my residency in Austin. It was somewhat of a shock moving here, but I’m getting used to it,” he states. “What about you?”
“Oh, I’ve lived in the area all my life. Honestly, I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.”
He grins. “I can see why.”
A few doctors pass us by, and he says hello to them.
“This might seem abrupt, but do you have plans this weekend or the following?”
I meet his brown eyes as my heart pounds in my chest. I’m somewhat taken off guard by his question because I know what’s coming. We’ve hardly spoken about anything other than work.
“Actually, I do. But I’m free next weekend,” I admit, curious about what he’s going to ask.