Page 34 of Doctor's Bossy Match
“Harrison was in here earlier.”The words come out too fast, and I clear my throat.
“Was he?”
I nod.“Just dropping off donations.I said a quick hello.He didn’t want to interrupt you.”
He hums low in his throat, eyes scanning the sidewalk.I wait for more… questions, a warning… anything but just a hum.I can’t tell if he’s unbothered or filing it away for later.
Dad walks ahead, keys jingling in one hand.
“Thanks for today,” he says softly.“I know I don’t always make this stuff easy.”
I glance at him.For a second, I’m not sure if I’m supposed to say something significant or just nod and move on.But there’s something different in the way he looks right now… Less tension in his shoulders, like a knot inside him is finally letting go.
“I had a good time,” I tell him honestly.“Really.It didn’t feel like work.Just...hanging out.”
“I was thinking we could tackle the garage next.Maybe find more of those old photos.”
I blink, surprised at how fast the yes forms in my chest.
“Yeah,” I say, smiling.“I’d like that very much.”
He nods once, like he already figured I would.Today wasn’t about fixing anything.It was just about showing up.About trying… And that feels like enough.
Chapter 13
Brant
Ishakemyheadas I head to the gym.I’m meeting my friend, Nate.But before I enter, I need to rein myself in.Seeing Regan wasn’t planned, and every time I do, her beauty nearly takes my breath away.It's easier to ignore the attraction when I have patient files in my hands to keep my mind busy, but at the store...there was nothing distracting me.Not only is she beautiful, but she’s fun.I feel like a kid again with her, without the pressure of my career.
I walk as slow as possible, trying to shake the feeling out of my fingers before I get there.I’ve been friends with Nate for years; we met in high school.
Inside the gym, he’s walking on the treadmill, scrolling his phone.I head to the one beside him to warm up.Not that I need to, considering I’m already starting to sweat just from the interaction with Regan.She makes me so agitated.
Obviously, work’s important to me, but it’s making me stress more.The desire to get chief was already there, but having competition is making me hyper-fixate on it.And now, with the hospital protocol committee breathing down Dr Thomas’s neck after thatDr.Whispererarticle, one wrong move could fuck everything.If they find any hint of fraternization, or anything that even looks like a conflict of interest, they’ll pull me from consideration.All my years of working toward this position would be gone.And Regan?She could lose her residency spot entirely.The committee doesn’t mess around.
“Have you been here long?”I ask, turning the treadmill up.I’ve already run my ten miles this morning as I listened to another episode of the podcast, so this is just a walk to loosen up before weights.
“No, I just got here.”
“Let’s do five minutes here before we lift.”
We don’t need to discuss what we’re working on because we have the same schedule every week.Today is chest.
“How’s your week been?”
Nate is in real estate; he’s worked there for years.
“Busy.We have a high-profile client needing an Airbnb, so I’ve been looking and giving all the options.Plus, the show needs a few houses on a street to rent.”
“What show is it?”I ask.
“They won’t tell me.”
That has me curious.“Who’s the client?”
“I don’t know.”
I snort.“You don’t know a lot.”
