She stepped into the hallway and closed the door behind her. She closed her eyes and leaned her head against the wood. Her heart pounded and the tremble in her hands returned. Taking in a deep breath, she returned to the workroom.
“All done?” Kiara asked.
“Yep. They’re ready to go.”
Kiara stood, paperwork in hand, and walked out.
Lauren unlocked her computer screen and opened Andrew’s chart. His name on the screen seemed different somehow, now that she knew who he was. They’d barely spoken this morning at the coffee shop, but it still felt like they were keeping a secret, from his family and from Dr. Patel. Like their prior involvement was more than a few glances and an accidental crashing of their bodies. When it had happened, she’d been mortified and unbalanced, and could think only of getting to the presentation she didn’t want to be late for. But in the half hour between when she’d finished her lecture and met Andrew in the clinic, she’d replayed the moment in her head over and over. How firm and strong his body had been, and how good he’d smelled.
Was this some kind of cruel joke the universe was playing on her? For the first time in years, she felt that magical, toe-curling attraction to a man. Yes, he was miles out of her league and way too good-looking not to be a jerk. It seemed she was destined to forever be attracted to men guaranteed to break her heart.
But the thing that bothered her the most?
Now he was completely off-limits.