“Does Drew know that you have privileges?”
“If he does, I didn’t tell him.” Though given the speed at which gossip traveled at JRMC, I was sure everyone but Drew knew at this point. Telling him would serve no purpose, seeing as he was bound and determined not to teach me, or be in my presence for more than a few seconds. “He’d probably run to Suzie and have her suspend them again out of spite.”
“You, my friend, are playing with fire.” Persy shook her head, long hair spilling around her shoulders in silky waves.
“Don’t worry about me, I lather myself with cocoa butter religiously each morning. I’m fireproof.”
Persy threw her head back and laughed, a husky sound that drew more than a few appreciative stares from men and women alike. “I’m really going to miss you if you leave.”
I would miss her too. And all the other women who had welcomed me with open arms, let me into their cherished circles. “If you can pull yourself away from your boys, we can hang out soon.”
“As long as it’s not some sad bastard goodbye event.”
I shook my head at that. “I don’t do goodbyes well, but a few drinks and a game of pool with the girls is right up my alley.”
“Tonight is perfect. Ryan and Titus have plans that include sausage pizza and video games. My least favorite combo. Does eight-thirty work?”
“Yep. I’ll see you at The Outpost,” I confirmed just as Melanie Gibbons’ voice sounded on the speaker.
“Dr. Ross to the ER.”
“That’s my cue,” I told her with a smile. “See you later.”
Drew
“Great,” I grumbled and shook my head when Zola entered The Outpost, smiling as she chatted with Hannah, Persy and Teddy. She was so effortlessly beautiful in her casual jeans and a stark white blouse that highlighted her bright smile. I looked away, still angry from our earlier encounter. “There’s no getting away from her.”
Antonio laughed first, the sound taking me out of my head and bringing me back to our table in the middle of the room. He wore a knowing smile as he shook his head. “You and Zola.”
My brows dipped into a dark vee that matched the scowl on my face. “There is no me and Zola.”
“Bull,” Cal shouted a little too loudly. “You like her.”
“If that’s what you’ve heard, I can stop worrying about the hospital gossip train.” I let out a bitter laugh. “Because I do not like her.” I reached for the same glass I’d been working on for the past forty minutes and drained it.
“No, Cal is on to something,” Antonio added, sitting forward in what I called his class is in session pose. “You’re mean to her because you don’t like that you like her. You feel guilty for liking her.”
“No, I’m angry that she knows exactly how to get under my skin.” Zola had a way of always having a quick comeback, like she stored a few in her back pocket just in case she needed them. “And I’m angry that Suzie gave her privileges without consulting me. I’ll never be free of the damn woman now.” I was willing to concede that I should have told her about the surgery and even let her scrub in with me. But that would have meant spending even more time with her, in close quarters. Listening to that deep laugh that I knew was only one pitch higher than the erotic giggle she let out when my tongue hit the right spots.
“Isn’t she here for two years?” Antonio shrugged. “That’s what I heard.”
Cal let out a low chuckle. “Means she’ll be here for the wedding.” He and Teddy hadn’t been engaged a year yet.
“What’s the rush?”
Cal sat a little taller, his smile a little wider. “I just want to marry her. The sooner the better.” He laughed and shook his head, affection written all over his face. “Can you believe Teddy meant it when she said she wanted a backyard wedding?”
“Yes,” I said.
“Duh,” Antonio added at the same time. “But I’d like to add that a backyard wedding can still be classy. Fancy, even. Get some silver tray service and you serve sushi or ribs, or whatever trendy foods you want to eat. Just something to consider.”
“Like gourmet food served by the course? A signature cocktail?”
Antonio nodded. “Exactly that.”
“You’ll help?”
“I’ll even make the menu and oversee the catering team you hire.” Antonio chuckled. “And plan the bachelor party. And raise my daughter.”
Cal shook his head. “You’re a real gem, Antonio.”
“Right?”
I listened to the guys banter back and forth about weddings and marriage proposals, family vacations. All the things I thought I would have at this point in my life. My friends were moving on with their lives and I wasn’t. It was Zola’s fault I was even having thoughts like this. I already knew marriage and babies weren’t in my future, and I was all right with it.