The Reluctant Romantics Box Set (The Fall, The Mind, The Heart)

“Good for you.” He turned on his heel and walked away, leaving me stunned. In the last two days, he had shown concern for my wellbeing. And I was even more taken aback that he had kept his word to Mr. Carson by not handing my ass to me. I knew then he’d probably taken to my idea to treat his friend. I had spent the last thirteen months under his watch and was finally seeing a small hint of humanity in him.

It seemed to be the collective thought amongst most doctors to shed our human skins at the hospital. Those who thought we were simply cold-hearted, money seeking machines were sadly mistaken. In the long run, it was easier to be a doctor if you thought of yourself as an uninvolved part of a well-oiled machine. Things would always get a little gray at times, but getting involved with patients led to nothing but an aching heart and the inevitable need to flee the career itself. Keeping your emotions in check was vital to a long career. Or so I was taught.

I willed myself to finish my charts as my fatigue set in early. I looked at the clock and realized I was ten minutes late for my OB appointment.

Your health first, Dallas.

“Okay, I’m going,” I said to my subconscious ranting in my head. I quickly made it to the right floor and saw the room was packed with pregnancy. I caught the eye of a woman who looked like she was having triplets and saw the devastation in her face. I said a silent prayer of thank you and walked to the receptionist.

“Dallas Whitaker checking in for my one-thirty.”

I filled out the paperwork, handed it over, then took a seat for the full thirty seconds they made me wait and quickly scrambled to my feet when my name was called. I scanned the tiny room they placed me in and was met by my new doctor as he opened the door reading what I assumed was my chart and looked up. I blinked and so did he as we both froze in place.

No fucking way.

“Dallas.”

The room shrank by half its size and I was suddenly in need of air. There was no air. A thousand emotions ran through me as I pushed out my usual greeting.

“Dean! Dean Martin!” I laughed as I threw my arms around him. He chuckled at my usual poking at his name.

“Dally.” He lifted me off the floor in a long hug then stood back, taking in my appearance. “How long has it been?”

“Seven years, and there is no way you are looking at my vagina. I need to be reassigned.” I laughed through my request, as did he.

“I have seen it all, baby.” He took his stethoscope off his neck and arrogantly circled it through the air like a lasso.

“Very funny. Last time I checked, you were getting married,” I said randomly.

My mini me took a gun out and shot me.

That seemed to sober him completely. “Yeah.” He lifted an eyebrow at me and I quickly soaked him in. He had on a black three-piece suit and a blood red tie underneath his jacket. He was a full foot taller than I was and had the most ridiculous set of perfect white teeth that shone in contrast with his naturally olive skin and crystal blue eyes. His black hair was combed back, not a hair out of place, and I could see he was perfectly fit.

Oh God.

I couldn’t shake the images of our past flooding my brain as his smell invaded my senses. We stood stunned for a moment until I broke the silence.

“Seriously, Dean, is there someone else? This is too weird even for us professionals.”

“Yeah, I will go get Margaret. She’s great. So you are here at Dallas Memorial?”

“Yep, just started my second year. Rose is almost done and she is going to start a surgical program while I start our practice. I can’t believe this. Why haven’t I seen you?”

“I just moved back from New York last month and started this week. Hey, congrats on the baby. Who is the lucky guy?”

“I’m not pregnant,” I told him quickly and could see his exhale. “Though from the looks of the waiting room, you will be a very busy man,” I joked, absently straightening the thin disposable table cover as I avoided his gaze. His eyes were covering me and I couldn’t help the slight tremble that started at the weight of his stare. The initial excitement of seeing him for the first time in so long was over now and I couldn’t stop replaying the memory of the last time we had seen each other. I looked up, noting my bravery for doing so was stupid. It seemed he was thinking the same.

“Let me take you out tonight, to eat?”

“I’m really tired, Dean. How about a rain check?” I said, making a lame excuse, anything to get myself together before we were forced to make more small talk.

“Sure, it’s so good to see you, and you will be a wonderful mother someday.” I felt the change in the air as we stared at each other. I felt both the familiarity and the distance between us. It was odd and uncomfortable and yet I couldn’t tear my eyes away. I felt a stir from a place I had long ago forgotten and cleared my throat quickly to keep myself from entertaining it.

“How about you? Any kids?” I asked, desperately trying to draw in air as slowly and inaudibly as I could. He reluctantly let go of our connection, his perfect full lips turning up at the corners in a knowing smirk.

“None, are you kidding? I am not falling for this crap.” His eyes twinkled with his chuckle. I grabbed the plastic pillow from the exam table then threw it at him.

“It’s so good to see you, Dally,” he whispered as he closed the small amount of distance between us and kissed my cheek, pulling back an inch away from my mouth. I stood stunned at his proximity. He traced my jaw line with his thumbs and pecked my lips softly. I jumped at his kiss and he quickly came to, seeming to catch himself.