Page 14 of Fierce-Jax

“I do the same half the time,” he said. “It’s easier or quicker to do it myself than explain to someone else.”

“The curse of being the boss,” she said, laughing.

“People don’t often understand it’s a curse,” he said. “Until they have to be the ones making the decisions.”

“I’m glad to know someone else thinks that too,” she said. She never had small talk like this with patients and here she was doing it again with Jax. “How is your rash doing? I hope you’re seeing improvement since I haven’t heard otherwise.”

She’d told him to call her office if it didn’t get better.

“Almost gone,” he said.

“Perfect,” she said. “Make sure you continue to use the cream as directed even if it goes away.”

“I’m good at following orders,” he said, laughing.

“My mother would tell you I’m not so good at following them,” she said. Her jaw dropped, appalled she just volunteered that!

He laughed. “I think all mothers say that. Mine would agree with it.”

She needed to end this conversation now before she got even more inappropriate.

“If everything looks good,” she said. “You don’t need to schedule a follow-up, but please call the office if you have any questions or concerns.”

“Thanks,” he said. “Have a great day.”

“You too,” she said and hung up, then put her head on the desk.

Why did she feel so nervous and giddy over that call?

“Everything okay?”

She lifted her head quickly to see Marcy standing in her doorway.

“Yes,” she said.

“Are you sure? You never have your head down like that.”

“Power nap,” she lied. “I didn’t sleep well. Sometimes I can get away with a few minutes and be good to go.”

“Must be a doctor thing,” Marcy said. “Power naps only make me more tired so I don’t give in. I’ll just have caffeine and sugar. I brought donuts in if you want one.”

“Yes, please,” she said. “You’re early. Must be the theme of the day.”

“Bryan had to be dropped off for band practice early,” Marcy said of her middle school-aged son. “So I killed some time getting donuts and came in.”

She stood up and followed Marcy to the break room and saw the box on the table, opened it, and picked one covered in chocolate frosting.

“This is going to hit the spot. Better than a power nap.”

When she bit in, cream oozed out the back all over her finger.

Her face flushed over an erotic thought that popped into her head.

She rushed out of the room before Marcy could comment on it.

Holy crap, she needed to get control of herself!

5