Chapter 7

The next morning, I’m paired with someone I haven’t seen or been introduced to before.

Jake.

Jake Sanders.

He’s back after a week off, and he doesn’t hide his frustration. As I step onto the surgical floor, I overhear him talking to Kim. “I would’ve appreciated being left alone for one day. I wanted a quiet shift, and you want me to train someone the second I’m back. I’m not in the mood to teach.”

Perfect! Another person to deal with. As if Dr. Keller isn’t already enough. I sigh quietly.

“By the end of the day, you’ll thank me for pairing her with you,” Kim says, calm and reassuring. “She’s going to help more than you think.”

I clear my throat behind them.

They both turn. A brief look of embarrassment crosses Jake’s face. His eyes travel over me, head to toe, and then he mouths ‘wow’ at Kim.

Kim smiles, trying to move past the awkwardness of discussing me. “I told you. She’s the best.”

“You didn’t say best looking,” he says, stepping closer, his grin widening. “You should’ve been specific. Would’ve saved all this complaining.” He chuckles. “Sorry, young, pretty lady.” He holds out his hand. The handshake lasts a second longer than necessary. “Nice to meet you,” he says, glancing at my badge. “Amelia.”

“Nice to meet you, too.”

He gestures toward the nurses’ station. “It’s been painfully monotonous working with all these,” he pauses, then adds, “boring faces.”

“Excuse me?” Kim snaps.

“Oh. Except this beautiful young lady,” he says, pointing at her. “A change once in a while feels refreshing.”

I pull my hand back. “I think they’re all beautiful.”

He looks impressed. “Generous too. I like that. Let’s get to work.”

He leads me to the nurses’ station for the morning meeting, acting as if Kim doesn’t exist. She follows, completely used to it, waving him off. “You never change,” she calls after him.

The day turns out to be surprisingly enjoyable. Jake teaches me everything, patient and thorough, with the occasional flirt that doesn’t bother me. His attention isn’t focused on me alone. He flirts with everyone.

“Morning, beautiful. What can I do for you today?”

“Your hair looks great. The curls suit you.”

“Oh, new New Balance shoes. Perfect with those Fig scrubs.”

He calls out to anyone who passes.

I liked him immediately.

At some point, Kim must mention what happened between Dr. Keller and me. When Dr. Keller comes by for rounds, Jake positions himself between us, never leaving space for sharp words to land on me. It only makes me like him even more.

He’s young, attractive, smart and protective. The kind of man people fall for easily. Still, I feel no pull beyond friendship. My first impression holds. He’d make a great friend, not a boyfriend. He isn’t my type.

Around ten, Mrs. Jane calls me into her room. She holds out a box of assorted chocolates.

“I can’t accept that,” I say, looking at the expensive packaging.

“Of course you can, dear,” she insists. “It’s just chocolate.”

“We aren’t allowed to accept gifts from patients,” I tell her gently.

She studies me, then lowers her voice. “It’s an apology for how Dr. Keller spoke to you the other day. I didn’t like it. I should’ve stopped it, but it happened so fast. He shut me down before I could say anything.”

I offer a small smile. “It’s okay,” I say. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”

She pauses. “Words like that leave marks. He should’ve known better. He’s a capable surgeon, but what he said was unnecessary. It wasn’t right.”

“It’s okay,” I repeat, keeping my voice steady. If she continues, I know I’ll cry.

“It isn’t okay,” she says firmly. She takes my hand in both of hers and rubs it gently. “You’re hardworking. Never let anyone speak to you that way.”

She lifts the chocolate box again. I take it from her and place it on the table beside her bed. “I’m sorry,” I say softly. “I really can’t accept it. It’s policy.” I pick up one candy from the table and hold it up. “If you insist, I’ll take this.”

She smiles. “Fair enough. Would you mind hugging me?”

“Of course not.”

I lean over, and she hugs me tightly.

After my shift, I walk home feeling lighter than I have in days. There was no humiliation and no harassment, and Jake made the day easier to get through. Mrs. Jane helped too, reminding me why I am good at what I do. We talked a few more times throughout the day, and each conversation left me a little more confident.

I walk beside the construction site, smiling, thinking about the first meaningful day since I started here.

Then, without warning, a hand shoves me inside the half-built structure.

I try to scream, but another hand clamps over my mouth.

And then I see him.

Dr. Keller.

He stands far too close, his one hand gripping my upper arm and the other covering my mouth. As his body presses into mine, I freeze. For a few seconds, I forget to fight back.

“Don’t make a sound,” he says slowly as his hand eases away.

“What are you doing?” I try to ask, but his hand returns, this time firmer.

“I told you not to shout. Calm down.”

I try to explain that it’s a reflex, that I wasn’t screaming, but my words are muffled. He studies my face, then removes his hand again.

“What are you doing?” I ask quietly.

“Catching a thief.”

“I’m not a thief.”

“Since when do you spy on people?”

“I’m not spying.” My voice rises.

He presses a finger to my lips, and the touch sends a shiver through me. I can’t move my attention away from how striking he looks.

“You followed us yesterday,” he says. “You thought you’d see something between Nellie and me. What were you expecting…, some kind of love scene?”

“I didn’t follow you.”

“Liar,” he says evenly. “I expected that, so I came prepared.” He pulls out his phone, swipes a few times, and holds it up, showing security footage of me going in.

Damn it. Where did he get that? I regret following him yesterday. Heat floods my face. “When I saw you go into this secluded area, I got curious,” I admit. “That’s all. I didn’t know Dr. Brook was inside. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have come.”

I try to move past him.

He grabs my arm and pushes me against the wall. He leans in so close that I catch the scent of mint on his breath.

“You’re not going anywhere without telling me the truth,” he says quietly. “You thought we were doing something and wanted to see.”

“Wanted to see what? Your private moments?” I smirk. “As if I’m desperate. You wish.”

My sarcasm only angers him more, and his grip tightens. “Never do that again,” he says through clenched teeth. “Stay out of my life,” he yells, losing it. “Stay the fuck away from me.”

Then he grabs my arm, drags me to the doorway, and shoves me outside.