Double Score

“These just came for you.” She approached me, her eyes giddy.

I took the box from her arms and placed it on the bench next to me. There was a card on top, but I was afraid to read it.

“Thanks.” I dismissed her with a frown.

I could tell she wanted to stay and see what was inside and who it was from, but I needed the lounge to myself. We both knew the Wranglers’ quarterback had sent the surprise.

I pulled the lid from the box. I stared at the dozens of orchids spilling from the tissue-lined center.

“Oh my God.” I covered my mouth. They were delicate and gorgeous. And expensive.

I touched the petals of purple and white. They felt like butterfly wings. And my stomach felt like butterflies were dancing inside. I was excited and nervous and slightly horrified. I couldn’t accept another gift like this from a patient. Especially a patient that made me feel the way he did.

I covered the flowers, not sure what to do with them. It wasn’t like I could toss them in the trash. They were too beautiful. And I certainly couldn’t leave them with the nurses—the gossip would never die down. I tucked the box under my arm. My only choice was to take them home. Damn that Wes Blakefield. Damn him.

I walked through the door, carefully placing the delicate package on the counter. I searched through the cabinets for a vase. I didn’t even know if I had one here. Everything came standard with the apartment. I spotted one in the cupboard over the refrigerator. I stood on a stool and retrieved it from its high perch. After filling it halfway with water, I arranged the flowers. The purple and white petals floated in the air. I couldn’t help but grin. No man had sent me flowers like these before. I could only imagine what he had spent on them.

I took out a bowl, ready to heat some soup, when my phone rang. I dug through my bag until I found it.

“Hello, this is Dr. Ashworth.”

“Hey, Doc.”

My stomach gripped. The butterflies came to a full screeching halt.

“How did you get my number?” My mind raced. Did I give it to him? Did he somehow hypnotize me with his eyes to get it?

“Pulled a few strings.” He laughed on the other end. “Did you like the flowers?”

“Oh, the flowers.” I stared at the exotic blooms. “They’re beautiful, but you can’t send me things like that. I’m your doctor.”

“It’s just a thank you.”

I rolled my eyes. “Well thank you for the thank you, but…”

“And did you like the Wranglers gear? How about the chocolates?” he asked.

“They were all great. And delicious.” I had almost devoured the entire chocolate collection last night, drowning my misery in the candy. “But none of this is necessary. Really. A simple thank you is enough.”

“You know what I do think is necessary?” His voice was deep and low in my ear. I couldn’t help the chill it sent to my toes.

“Don’t tell me you’re already out of your prescription?”

His laughter was warm. “No, this isn’t a medical call.”

My stomach flipped. “It’s not?”

“No, I haven’t been able to get you out of my head for the past few days.”

“Oh,” I whispered. I wasn’t about to tell him I had the same problem. It didn’t help that every day he sent me a reminder.

“I want to take you out.”

I shook my head. “You can’t. That’s not going to happen.”

“Come on, Doc. It’ll be fun. You seem like the kind of girl who could use a little fun.”

“And what does that mean? I’m fun.” Since I had left D.C., there was nothing fun about me. But he didn’t know that. Or did he?