My Christmas Doctor

Ellie didn't look convinced, but she didn't say anything else, at least not then. "Let's just order."

I nodded and we both looked for the waitress. Remembering my dietary orders from Brian, I went with the AI Funghi, which was a mushroom and pasta dish. Ellie chose the Bolognese Classica, which also looked delicious. We didn't have to wait exceedingly long for our food, and we ate in silence for a few minutes, just enjoying the ambiance and our meals.

"This is so good," I murmured, "I'm glad we came here, I've been craving Italian food."

"I know, everything is so good here," Ellie agreed. She looked over at me and sighed. "Look, I just don't want you to get hurt. Doctors… well, they're notorious flirts. What do you even know about him?"

I smiled. "I know you don't, and I won't. Probably nothing will come of it. I mean between me practically being a hermit and him being a busy doctor, we'll probably never find the time to date. As for what I know about him… well, I guess I should admit I did a Google search on him as soon as I got home to my computer. He's divorced, graduated with honors at the top of his class. His Yelp rating is high, the reviews all say he's very professional, kind and caring. Really listens to his patients. All of which I know for myself, having had him as my doctor now for a month. Well, not the divorced part, but the rest. Oh, and I know he was born here in New York, his family is from East Hampton."

"So not only is he a doctor, but he also comes from money?" Ellie gave me a cynical look. "Let me guess, went to Columbia or Harvard?"

"Columbia," I confirmed.

"Look, you know I'm around these kinds of doctors almost twenty-four-seven, right? Most of them are arrogant snobs. Please, take my advice, Jane, if you want to date him after he releases you as a patient, really take this time to get to know him, make sure he's a good person. A real person, not just someone who puts on an act for his patients, okay?"

I smiled and reached a hand across the table to pat hers. "I will. I promise, El." I already knew that he was a good person, but I would do as she said and make sure I got to know him on a more personal level as I met with him for my appointments. Though, from the staff at the hospital, I had already come to the conclusion that he was one of the good guys.

"Okay, good." She smiled. "So, any more trouble from Aaron?"

"Ugh. I blocked his number, but Mom is still pushing for me to come 'home' and reconcile with him. Like that is going to happen. You know I found him lingering outside my apartment building the day I got home from the hospital? I had to have the staff bar him from entering!"

"Why didn't you tell me?" she gasped.

"I didn't want to worry you. Anyway, he's back in Akron for now. Hopefully, he's finally gotten the message that I'm not ever getting back with him, despite what my mother wants."

"Hopefully, you're right. I told you that you never should have dated him." She grinned.

"You did." I nodded. "I was stupid."

"Not stupid, just… naïve."

I snorted. "Thanks. Well, I've had my eyes opened, so there will be no going back to that mess."

"No, you're just jumping into an all new mess," Ellie said with a teasing laugh.

"Stop," I laughed too, "he's not a mess, I promise, and we aren't even dating, not even a hint of a date on the horizon. If and when it happens, then you can say I told you so, if it turns out he isn't what I think he is, but I have my eyes open. I'm not going to fall for another douchebag, I promise."

"Okay, I'll stop harping on it."

"Thank you." I laughed as we finished our meal.

We talked a little more, this time about her nonexistent love life, and then it was time for her to leave and head to work. I had taken the day off from writing and decided to do a little shopping since I was already out. After a stop at a couple shops and a bookstore, where I spent way too much money, I headed home.Chapter 10BrianLate-JuneJane was coming in today for her last appointment. I was feeling anxious about it, because I had been both excited about this day and dreading it at the same time. With her coming to see me every two weeks, I at least knew I'd get to see her, spend some time with her, even if it was just as a patient. But now that her treatment was ending and I was going to clear her, she wouldn't be coming to appointments anymore and I could ask her out.