“I spent years at cotillions and having manners drilled into me.”
“Sounds like a nightmare.”
“It was,” I admitted.
“Yogurt?” Boxer reached for one of the plastic cups on his meal tray.
“Excuse me?”
“I was hoping you’d stop by so we could eat yogurt together. It’ll be the highlight of my day.”
“Are you always full of wind?” I demanded. “Speaking of wind…have you passed gas yet today?”
He stopped mid-pull while opening the foil on one of the yogurt containers. “You’re kidding, right?”
“I’m your doctor. I have to know if things are working.”
“Like hell I’m gonna tell you that.” He finished ripping off the foil and set it aside. “I’m trying to impress you. If I tell you I’ve farted—”
“So, youhavepassed gas then?”
“If. Jesus, I said if—you know what? Let’s not talk about that anymore.”
“How’s your pain today?”
“Six and half.”
“Yesterday it was a seven,” I pointed out. “So, you’re feeling a bit better. That’s good.”
“I always feel better when I fleece the prospects out of a few bucks. But they don’t really offer me that much of a challenge, you know? I like a challenge.”
“Yeah, I bet you do,” I mocked.
He raised his brows. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing.”
“Notnothing. Say it like it is, Doc.”
I sighed. “I’m sorry. I was doing that thing again.”
“What thing?”
“Assuming I know who you are because you flirt with everything that walks.”
“Um. Ouch. And I don’t flirt with everything that walks. There are a few male nurses here you know, and as nice as they are, they’re not really my type.”
“What’s your type?” I blurted out before I could stop myself.
His grin was slow, appreciative.
“Yeah, walked right into that one,” I muttered. “I blame the sleep deprivation that goes with the job.”
“Really? I think you should blame your overwhelming attraction to me. Just admit you don’t know how to handle it.”
“I’ll pay you five dollars to change the subject,” I said, feeling testy and antsy, and wondering why I didn’t have the willpower to get up and leave.
“Okay, Doc. Let’s talk about when I can get out of here.”