The compliment caught me off guard. “Thank you.”
“I’m serious. Beautiful, brilliant, dedicated to helping people… if I were the jealous type, I’d be worried about all the other guys trying to sweep you off your feet.”
Something about his tone made me look at him more closely. He was smiling, but there was something else in his expression.
“Chris…”
“I’m kidding,” he said quickly. “Mostly.”
We pulled up to the hospital entrance just as I spotted something that made my heart skip. A black sedan was parked across the street-the same make and color as Caelan’s car.
It can’t be, I thought.
But for just a moment, I could have sworn I saw a familiar silhouette in the driver’s seat.
“Sable? You okay?”
I blinked, refocusing on Chris. “Sorry, I thought I saw… never mind. Thank you for the ride.”
“Anytime.” Chris squeezed my hand gently. “Go save some lives. Call me later if you want to talk about how it went.”
I hurried into the hospital, glancing back once at the black car. But by the time I looked, it was pulling away into traffic, and I couldn’t make out the driver.
Just paranoia, I told myself. Caelan’s not here. He’s handling his own business, whatever that is.
But as I changed into scrubs, I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone had been watching me.
***
Hours later, I pushed through the double doors of the prep room, pulling off my surgical cap.
“Dr. Crawford?” A nurse appeared at my elbow. “Room 302 is asking for you when you have a moment.”
I nodded and made my way down the familiar corridor.
That’s when I saw him.
My feet stopped moving without my permission. There, sitting in one of the waiting chairs like he belonged there, was Caelan. He wore a simple black shirt and dark jeans-nothing flashy-but somehow he still commanded attention from every person who walked past.
What the hell is he doing here?
My heart hammered against my ribs.
He spotted me before I could decide, Rising from his chair with that fluid grace he’d always possessed, he turned to face me directly.
“You… I struggled to find my voice. “You’re here,”
“I’m here to see a doctor.” His mouth curved into something that wasn’t quite a smile. “Hi, Dr. Sable.”
The formal title grated against my nerves. “You’re here to see a doctor?
I looked him up and down, taking in his perfectly healthy appearance. No visible injuries. No signs of distress. He looked exactly like what he was a powerful man in complete control of his situation.
“What’s wrong with you?”
Caelan pressed a hand to his chest, right over his heart. I’ve been having chest pain. Severe pain, actually.”
“Chest pain?’ I stepped closer despite myself, my medical training overriding everything else. “When did it start?”
“Several days ago. His eyes never left mine. “It’s gotten progressively worse.”
My professional instincts kicked in automatically. “Is it constant or intermittent? Does it radiate to your arm or jaw? Any shortness of breath?
“It’s… complicated.” Caelan’s hand remained pressed to his chest. “The pain only happens when I think about certain things. Certain people.”
Something in his tone made me pause. I studied his face more carefully, noting the way his eyes seemed to be searching mine for something.
“And there’s this strange emptiness,” he continued. “Like something essential is missing.”
Realization hit me. “Caelan.”
“What?”
“Are you actually sick, or are you playing games with me?”
His expression shifted, becoming almost boyish. “I told you the truth. My chest really does hurt.”
“This is a hospital,” I said through gritted teeth. “Not some romantic comedy where you can show up and-“
I’m a patient seeking medical attention.” He crossed his arms, somehow managing to look both innocent and infuriating. ‘I believe I have the right to choose my doctor.”
I glanced around the corridor, already noticing curious looks from the nursing staff. Sarah from cardiology was pretending to check charts while obviously eavesdropping. Two residents had slowed their pace to get a better look.
“Fine,’ I snapped. “But after I examine you and confirm you’re perfectly healthy, you leave. Understood?”
Of course, Doctor.
The way he said it-so formal, so proper made me want to smack him.
I led him to an empty examination room, my skin prickling with awareness of his presence behind me. The small space felt even smaller with both of us in it.
“Sit.” I pointed to the examination table.
Caelan hopped up with obvious amusement dancing in his eyes. “Yes, ma’am.”
I pulled on gloves with more force than necessary, then reached for my stethoscope. “I’m going to listen to your heart.”
“I appreciate your thoroughness.”
I moved closer, professional distance forgotten as I positioned the stethoscope. His familiar scent hit me immediately-that clean, masculine smell that had always made me feel safe. My hands trembled slightly as I placed the stethoscope against his chest.
His heartbeat was strong and steady. A little fast, but within normal range.
“Your heart rate is elevated, I murmured.
“Maybe because my doctor is very beautiful.”
I yanked the stethoscope away from his chest. “Don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
“Don’t flirt with me. This is a medical examination.”
Caelan’s expression grew serious. “You’re right. I apologize.”
But then he winced, pressing his hand to his chest again. “Doctor, the pain is getting worse.”
I looked at him suspiciously. “Worse how?”
“You’re so close to me now. It’s making my heart race, which intensifies the ache.”
“Caelan-“
“Is this a symptom of something serious? Should I be worried?”
Despite everything, I could feel my lips twitching toward a smile. He was absolutely shameless.
“Your symptoms,” I said carefully, “appear to be psychological rather than cardiac.”
“So you’re recommending I see a psychiatrist?”
I’m recommending you stop wasting my time.” I stepped back, crossing my arms. “You’re obviously not sick.”
“But I am sick.” His voice dropped to something softer, more vulnerable. “I’m sick with missing you.”
I turned away from him, moving toward the door. “I have real patients to see.”
“Sable, wait: Caelan slid off the examination table. “Please,” he said. “Just give me five minutes. Let me explain-
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