Page 17 of Corrupted By the Shadow King (Hope Runs Deep #3)

Nikki

I have been walking around in a daze on cloud nine since I got back from lunch.

Erin wanted to know what happened, but this is not the time or place for that.

Besides, I still need to wrap my head around everything.

First, he just happened to show up at work to take me to lunch.

And lunch…I don’t think I’ve ever connected with someone like that.

He made me laugh so much, tears were filling my eyes.

My shields should be up, but even if I could erect them, he would tear them down with a smile, a wink, or a kiss.

That had surprised me. It was too short and nothing more than a brushing of his lips with mine, but I didn’t want it to end.

My lips tingled as I stared after him, watching as he walked away and disappeared in the crowd. They still do.

“How is Mr. Campbell?” Dr. Jacobs asks.

Glancing up, I see him looking around and have a feeling I know who he is searching for. “Mr. Campbell is stable and should be moved up to the cardiac unit shortly. We are just waiting on a bed. I’ve been told within the hour. His wife is with him now.”

“Good. Good. Where is Erin?” he asks, and I have to bite back my smile.

Dr. Jacobs transferred to San Antonio about eight months ago from Los Angeles.

He said he wanted a change of pace. I’m not sure he got it.

He and Erin got along from day one, though, and have been circling each other for the better part of six months.

Neither one has bitten the bullet to ask the other out, but it is obvious that they have feelings for each other.

Then again, maybe I think that way because of how Alex makes me feel. When I’m with him, I feel everything.

“She is in with a patient but should be back shortly.”

“Good. Good.”

I almost snicker, yet manage to hold myself back. “Is there something I can do for you? Or I can give her a message?”

His head swivels quickly to me, his eyes meeting my gaze. “No. I just…well…I just wanted to get an update on another patient.”

“I understand. Which patient? Maybe I can check the notes.”

“No, that’s okay. You nurses always seem to have more to offer than what is in the notes, so I just wanted to hear what she had to say.”

“Okay.” I really shouldn’t poke the bear, but I can’t help it. “She should be done soon. She is leaving a little early tonight to get ready for her date.” I’m going to hell in a handbasket.

His eyes grow wider and are about the size of saucers. “Date? Uh, good for her.”

I’m definitely going to hell. In fact, I’m probably driving the bus.

Leaning closer to him, I shift my gaze left and right before focusing on him.

“I shouldn’t say this, but I think someone set her up on a blind date since her sister found her husband like that.

” Erin has a brother, not a sister, and from what I understand, he’s gay and single, which is why I used my own sister’s tale of happiness to give the doc a little push.

Is it so wrong to want to see my friend happy?

“She doesn’t know him?”

I shake my head slightly and try to appear completely innocent. I honestly don’t think I’m pulling it off, but he hasn’t noticed because he is worried about Erin and her date. “Not as far as I know.”

“What if he’s a creeper?”

“I guess we will find out tomorrow. She is supposed to meet him in a public place and will be sharing her location with me so I can track her just in case.”

“I don’t trust it.”

“What are you going to do? I mean, I guess she would change her mind about going if someone else, say a certain surgeon, was to ask her out instead.”

Narrowing his eyes, he studies me for a second and then laughs. “You should be an actress, Nikki.”

“Did it work?”

“Is there really a date?”

“Could be.”

“Could be what?” Erin asks as she returns to the nurses’ station.

I shoot her a wink. “I was just telling Dr. Jacobs here about your date tonight.”

“My…” Her words taper off, and she peers over at the man standing in front of me. “Oh. Right. Yes. Leaving early for a date.” She doesn’t sound convincing at all. Worse than an actress in a B movie, but I have to give her credit. She tried.

“Go out with me instead,” Dr. Jacobs blurts out. Thankfully, he wasn’t too loud. There are too many ears in this place. Plus, we are standing in recovery. Our patients don’t need the drama.

My grin is wide, and I start to bounce on the balls of my feet, waiting for her answer.

Erin’s mouth is moving up and down, her eyes are wide with shock, and her cheeks are a nice shade of pink.

She is a beautiful woman. Petite with light brown hair and brown eyes.

Standing next to the doctor, she doesn’t even hit his shoulder, but they would be cute together.

“Um, yes?” she says, and I clear my throat.

She looks at me with an exasperated expression.

How dare I interrupt their moment. Well, I dare because that sounded more like a question than an answer.

Pursing my lips together, I give her a hard look and jerk my head toward Dr. Jacobs.

She appears confused for a moment before a lightbulb goes off in her head.

“I mean, yes, I would love to go out with you, Dr. Jacobs.”

“Brian. It’s my name.”

Smiling, she says, “I’d love to go out with you, Brian.” I can practically see the hearts in their eyes as they stare at each other.

“Okay, time to check on patients,” I announce, cutting their moment short. I hate to do it, but they don’t need to start their potential relationship with the whole ward gossiping about them.

They scatter, and I grin, picking up my stethoscope and wrapping it around my neck. I wonder when I’m going to hear from Alex again. Lunch was too short, and that kiss was too brief. I want more of both.