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“But—”

“But what?” Riley was used to being questioned, but who did this paramedic think she was, challenging her? The woman’s dark brown eyes flashed dangerously at Riley and Riley didn’t back down.

“Are you suggesting we pull the handlebar out of her right here?”

“Of course not,” the paramedic said, her voice getting slightly louder and Riley could see the patient flinch slightly as she watched their interaction. “But going straight into an operating room is risky. You should stabilize her and then see what you’re working with before you jump to surgery.”

Riley rolled her eyes and scoffed, “And who the hell are you to tell me what to do? I didn’t know you were a surgeon?”

Riley couldn’t take her eyes off the angry curve of the paramedic’s top lip.

She knew it was a low blow, and she’d always hated people pulling rank against her when she was younger, but she also knew that she was right, and the paramedic was just going to prevent the girl from getting the help that she needed. She needed that woman out of her way so that she could do her job.

Riley watched as the paramedic pursed her lips, and her dark eyes burned with annoyance and hatred—something not unfamiliar to Riley and something that had ceased to bother her over the years.

“Fine,” the paramedic snapped, and walked away.

Riley’s eyes followed the beautiful curve of her ass in her navy blue paramedic jumpsuit. Something about this woman had gotten right under Riley’s skin.

Many of the others who had come to escort the little girl left as well, in order to give Riley the space that she needed to treat the girl and prep her for surgery.

“Have you ever had surgery before?” Riley asked, noticing her looking at her.

The girl shook her head but didn’t say anything.

“Are you scared?” Riley asked even though she knew the logical answer. Anyone would be scared for their first surgery. The girl was stable and conscious with the metal in her chest, but as soon as they moved the metal, anything could happen. Time would tell how much damage had been done. Riley hoped they might be lucky. It was positive the girls vitals seemed to be doing well.

The girl nodded and again, didn’t say anything.

Riley wanted to build rapport, to get to know her at least a little bit before she had to operate, and since they were waiting on an operating room, now was the perfect time.

“What’s your name?” Riley asked.

“Amanda,” the girl said.

“Well, Amanda,” Riley started, “I can promise that I am going to do my absolute best to make sure that everything goes well, and you’ll be able to get back on another bike soon.”

Amanda shook her head. “I think I’m done with riding bikes for the rest of my whole entire life,” she said.

Riley laughed. “That is absolutely fair. I can’t blame you. Maybe you can stick to roller skating.”

“Maybe,” Amanda said, “but I don’t know how.”

“You can learn,” Riley said. “You seem like a smart kid.”

Amanda frowned and shook her head, looking dejected. Riley knew that look. It was the look of someone who’d been told so many negative things about herself that she started to believe them. It broke Riley’s heart, but she knew Amanda still had a chance. After all, Riley had made one for herself.

“How long have you been in the foster system?” Riley asked.

“I don’t know,” Amanda said.

“That long?” Riley asked.

“I guess so,” Amanda said. “My birth mom stopped asking for visitation last year.”

Riley frowned. She never knew her parents, but she could empathize with being abandoned by them. Riley knew a lot of abandonment growing up.

“You know, sometimes I think it’s a good thing that I never knew my parents,” Riley said. “I never had to have that happen.”