Prognosis: Romance (Doctors in Training 4)

“Your parties sound great,” James said as he helped Shannon clear away the dishes after the meal, coordinating their movements in the tight space to keep from stumbling into each other. She did a few quick sidesteps to keep from brushing against him as she loaded the dishwasher, her pulse racing a little more each time they accidentally made contact.

“I have a feeling your business is going to be very successful once you get more fully established.”

Trying to keep her thoughts focused on the conversation and the task at hand, she replied, “I hope you’re right. My family keeps warning me that it’s difficult to make a living in a small business venture like mine.”

He shrugged. “Lots of people make a living running their own businesses. With enough passion and enough hustle, there’s no reason you can’t make a success of it. And you seem to have both.”

She beamed at him. “Thank you. That’s exactly the way I feel about it. Passionate and willing to hustle.”

“It shows,” he assured her.

She found herself staring at his smiling lips as she asked, “Would you like some dessert?”

“No, thank you. That second roll filled me up.”

“Coffee?”

“No, I’m good, thanks.”

She wasn’t quite sure what to do with him if she wasn’t feeding him. She motioned toward the living room. “We could sit and talk for a little while before you go. We’ve been talking about my day all evening. I’d like to hear about yours.”

He blinked, as if surprised that she’d be interested in his work. Was it really so rare for anyone to ask about his day? Sure, he was single and lived alone, but didn’t he talk to his friends? His parents?

He followed her into the living room and took a seat beside her on the couch. “What would you like to know?”

She sighed. “Don’t put on your doctor face, I don’t have any medical questions. I just wondered how your day went. Did anything funny happen? Do you like your rotation? Are you still interested in pursuing infectious disease training or do you like pulmonology even more now?”

He frowned, focusing on one particular phrase she had used rather than the question she’d asked. “My doctor face?”

“Yes. Hasn’t anyone mentioned that you have a different expression when you’re in physician mode than when you’re being just-James?”

“Um. No, not exactly. I’m not sure what you mean.”

She waved a hand in a vague gesture. “You just look different when you’re on the job. I can’t explain it, exactly. You’re sure no one else has said anything?”

“Well…”

“They have, haven’t they?”

Looking a little uncomfortable, he shrugged. “Not exactly in those words. But I’ve been told my communication skills could use some improvement, which to be honest, I don’t understand. I’ve never had any trouble talking with people. I don’t feel uncomfortable talking to patients or their families. They usually seem to understand what I’ve told them, they seem satisfied I know what I’m doing, but when they have questions or problems, they tend to wait to tell someone else rather than bringing it up with me.”

She tilted her head, studying him closely. “Have you talked about this with your study friends?”

He shifted a little uncomfortably. “No. There’s not a lot to discuss, really. I’ve gotten pretty good evaluations, for the most part, just an occasional comment that my communication could use some work.”

She suspected he hadn’t mentioned the critique to his parents, either, since he didn’t seem to be particularly close to them from what she had gathered. Didn’t James have anyone to turn to when he had a problem?

And there she went feeling a little sorry for him again, she thought with a slight shake of her head. Which was ridiculous, considering most people would have thought he led just about the perfect life.

“I’m sure you’re an excellent doctor, James,” she said gently. “In fact, I know you are. I’ve sort of seen you on in that light a couple of times. I’d trust any member of my family into your care—and my mother and sister are ready to hang a halo over your head because you’ve been so thoughtful and helpful with Kyle.”

She was secretly amused by the faint hint of color that appeared then disappeared almost as quickly on his lean cheeks. “I haven’t really done anything for Kyle. Just checked in on him a couple of times.”

“Which means a lot to them.”

“So what did you mean when you told me not to put on my ‘doctor face’?”

She hesitated a moment, then shrugged. “Like I said, you’re a bit different when you’re presenting yourself as a doctor. You get a little more serious, a little more formal in your speech. Don’t get me wrong, you’re still polite and pleasant, but you’re a bit…well…”