I couldn’t believe I was staring at the lady from the party last weekend.Ella. It had been hard to forget that name, as hard as it had been to ignore the impression she’d made on me and our unfinished business that evening. I blinked a few times to ensure my eyes were not playing tricks on me.
It was really Ella who stood at my door. Her eyes were wide, lips pouted, and hair perfectly set, reminding me how perfectly tousled I’d left her hair that night.Fuck! When she came closer, I could see the shock and tears in her brown eyes. She was obviously out of sorts and scared shitless by the news of her father’s condition, and I was fantasizing about making out with her.
Get a grip on yourself, Armand!
"Please take your seat," I said simply as I pointed toward a comfortable chair in the cubicle.
“You’re…”
Her eyes were wide, and the words seemed stuck in her throat in surprise. I stood up and offered my hand. “I’m Armand Pierce. Your father’s doctor it seems.”
Her jaw dropped this time, but she picked it up quickly. “No way!”
I nodded, not knowing how to respond. “Yes actually. I’m his doctor. Can you please take your seat?”
Ella didn’t take her seat. She shook me briefly and then folded her arms across her chest and stared at me.
I could feel the slight tingle from our touch, but I pushed it to the back of my mind. “I'm assuming you're the only member of Logan Smith’s family?"
"Yes, it’s just my father and me." Her eyes softened with worry. "Please, tell me he’s okay."
I could see tears pooling in her gorgeous eyes as she fidgeted nervously. The thoughts of how beautiful and alluring she was quickly replaced my shock at seeing her. I’d thought the night on the terrace was the last time I’d set eyes on her after Sarah’s interruption, and here I was, seeing her again. Instead of humor and desire I could see worry in her eyes this time. I fought the urge to stand up to take her into my arms and comfort her.
"The heart attack was mild. He's now on the mend, and he’ll be alright."
I smiled to reassure her that everything was okay.
"Can I see him?" Ella’s voice trembled, and she wrapped her arms around herself tighter. I felt that urge to pull her into an embrace again, but I focused my attention on her red-rimmed eyes, which were glassy and hardened from the terror tears she was fighting back.
It broke me to see her sad like this.
"Yes, you can. I'd like to go with you and go over the details with his health.”
I didn’t have to go with her, I could have handed her over to the nurse in charge to help her with the details, but when she nodded, and I saw a flash of gratitude in her eyes, it was worth it that I’d decided to go.
I stood up and led her out of the room. Her lavender scent washed over me and reminded me of that night again. I quickly clamped down on the feeling and kept my professional composure.
“There was no history of a heart attack filled in on his charts or paperwork. Has he ever had problems with his heart?"
She shook her head slowly, sending more tufts of hair free of her bun on her head. I looked away from her to ignore the urge to touch her hair, but her soft voice filled the air.
“I never knew about any health issues, but we haven’t seen each other in months, so I wouldn’t have known if anything happened. He’s never told me.”
“I understand, Ella,” I said, guiding her towards the hospital’s PACU, where her father was. “Mr. Smith,” I greeted, smiling at the middle-aged man who looked way better than he had during my post-op checkup yesterday.
“Ella!” he called out, ignoring me when he saw his daughter. She ran up to him and wrapped him in a hug.
“When did you come into town?” he asked after they let each other go, and Ella settled on the edge of the bed.
“Just a while ago. I’m so glad you’re okay, Dad.” Ella had a big smile of relief on her face as she looked at her father. When she looked up at me, her father’s eyes followed.
“I’m so glad you came,” he said, hugging her again. “Is your business going well? Don’t you need to be wo-”
“Shhh, Dad. Leave all that aside now. I’m here for you and I promise I’ll barely leave your side so we can talk about all that later.”
A little smile played on my lips at their camaraderie. There was obvious affection between both of them. “Are you feeling fit as a fiddle now, Mr. Smith?” I asked, flipping through his medical charts.
He had a vibrant smile on his face. “Even better now, doc.”