The Match

Chief Swanson stands and slaps his hand on my shoulder. “Make us proud, Dr. Hart. Your future is depending on this going well with the residents.”

I peek up at him and force a smile. “I won’t let you down.”

“Good to hear it.”

Chief Swanson says his goodbyes to us, before exiting the office, leaving me wondering what the

hell just happened. I have a date with a beautiful raven-haired vixen and a new job that could one day earn me the title of Chief of Surgery. Overall, this is not a bad day.

Chapter Two

AVA

After I unpack the last cardboard box, I lay back on the mattress in my new bedroom. Moving from New York to Philadelphia with Stacey was easy. My father paid for all of our moving expenses. All we had to do was unbox our things.

Stacey Carlyle, my friend since my first year of medical school, walks into my room with a loud sigh, announcing her presence. She plops on the bed next to me and drops my cell phone into my lap.

“You have a date tomorrow night. You’re welcome.”

I sit up and turn to her, confused. “No, I don’t.”

“As of an hour ago, you are meeting a surgeon for drinks and maybe dinner tomorrow night at the Fountain Lounge.”

I narrow my eyes at her. “What did you do?”

“Trying to help you out of your funk. I was afraid your lady bits would dry up if you didn’t get yourself some action. I talked to him earlier on the dating app I signed you up for last night.”

I slide my thumb across the screen to open my phone to a picture of a man named Sloan. Cute name. Sexy man. But I don’t date doctors.

“You know how I feel about doctors, Stace. How could you do this to me?”

“He’s hot. Who cares what he does for a living? You don’t have to marry him. Just meet him for a drink and maybe use him to blow the dust out of your cooch.”

I stare at the picture of a man with dark brown hair that sweeps over his forehead. He has green eyes so dark they remind me of emeralds against his tanned skin. Maybe I can make an exception for Sloan.

“What did you say to him?”

She holds her hand over her mouth and chuckles. “You don’t want to know.”

I shove the phone at her. “Show me.”

“Why are you so technology illiterate?”

“I have no problem using medical equipment,” I remind her.

“While that may be true, you still have no clue how to use a digital camera or Facebook.”

“Facebook is just not for me. What can I say?”

“That’s because you’re anti-social.”

I roll my eyes at her. “I’m not interested in videos of cats and how to make a no-bake cake, and digital cameras have too many buttons and options. I miss the days where you just point and shoot.”

She chuckles. “You’re impossible, Ava. I swear you remind me of my grandmother. That’s why I did you a favor and set you up with this delish doctor.”

I suck in a deep breath and let it out. “I still can’t believe you. What am I supposed to wear to this date? I haven’t worn more than scrubs and pajamas since I started medical school.”

Stacey slides off the bed, extending her hand to help me up. “Time to go shopping in my closet. I have the perfect dress for you.”