Page 2 of Good Girl’s Guide to Love (Guide to Love #4)

How would that even work…logistically…

“Damn...” Mia says, breaking me from my not-pediatric-floor-appropriate thoughts. “Is our resident good girl having some naughty thoughts right now?”

I shake my head, needing to get a hold of myself. “I was just observing. That’s it. No thoughts what-so-ever.”

“So you don’t think he’s hot. He’s here because he wants to be. I’m sure it’s all true.”

I roll my eyes. “You know, if you think this whole thing is fake, why pull me over to watch?”

“Fake can still be hot.”

I shake my head at her. “You’re ridiculous. And it’s time for me to leave.”

“Fine. But remember, we’re going out Friday night. I know you need multiple business days to prepare.”

“Got it!” I yell back as I jog backwards away from her and return to my manic charting.

There’s chatter all around me as the players go from room to room, but I block all of them out to finish my paperwork. As I finish up the last of my documentation, I feel a buzzing from my cell phone on the desk.

Quinn

T-minus forty-five minutes! It’s go time!

“Shitake mushrooms!” I yell as I scramble up from the chair. “I’m late! I’ve got to go.”

I frantically grab my two tumblers from the station and scramble to slip my phone back into my pocket. “All the charts are caught up. I left notes for the next shift. Can you hand them off?”

“Yes! Go,” Mia directs and waves me out of here. “Thanks for covering!”

I know it’s rude to not say “you’re welcome,” but I literally don’t have time. I’m supposed to be in Rolling Hills before six o’clock and it’s already five fifteen. No way in rush-hour traffic am I going to make it in time.

I dodge and weave through the crowds of people as I scan my card to let me into the nurse’s locker room.

There are a few others in here, but I don’t stop to make small talk, which I’d normally do.

Instead, I grab everything—my empty third tumbler, which I had this morning for my juice, my lunchbox, and my purse—before sprinting back toward the exit.

I rush through the door and turn left, because that’s how I leave every day. I’m two steps into my power walk when I realize that I’m not on my normal floor, and I should’ve turned right.

“Darn it,” I let out, pivoting to go the other direction.

Next thing I know I’m tumbling backward after bouncing off of someone, and there is no recovering my footing. I go down in a racket of insulated metal tumblers and a squeak.

“Oh, shit! Sweetheart, are you okay?”

I blink a few times, flat on the hospital floor, as the male voice registers in my brain. What the heck just happened? One minute I’m turning around, next minute I’m falling and now.... Well, now I’m looking up at the most beautiful set of green eyes I’ve ever seen.

“God, I’m so sorry,” Linc says as he kneels down to bring us to eye level. “Are you okay?”

I nod—because what are words?—as I assess pain levels.

Butt? A little sore since that’s where I landed. Luckily I was blessed with some extra cushion back there so I’m good.

Rest of body? Fine.

Inner self? Mortified. Though that might be more because I realize I’ve forgotten every word in the English language.

Seriously though? How can a man’s eyes be that green?

“You turned on a dime. One minute you were marching down the hall, next thing you’re running into me like it’s Sunday night football.”

“I…” Look at me with a word! I try again. “Leave. Car. Go.”

My eyes go wide as I realize what just came out of my mouth. Linc is struggling between concern and amusement, but it’s a losing battle.

Leave, go, car? What the heck, Ainsley? Full sentences would help right now. He probably thinks I’m some sort of idiot, which I’m not. Or worse, he probably assumes I’m one of those wanna-be football player groupies I’ve heard Mia talk about.

Joke’s on him. I’d probably be acting like this if he were an accountant. Or a professional stamp collector. That’s how beautiful this man is. And if he keeps smiling at me the way he is right now— big, bright, and with a hint of mischief—I don’t know if I’ll ever speak in full sentences again.

“Well, far be it from me to stop any of those things.”

He holds out his hand, which completely engulfs mine, as he helps me up from the floor. I lost a hold of my lunch box and one of the tumblers I was carrying, but before I can reach down for them, Linc already has them scooped up.

“Here,” he says, his voice a little lower. “You’ll probably need these before you leave, car, go.”

My cheeks are suddenly on fire, which means that sensation has caught up to my body.

“Thank you,” I whisper. It might not be a big sentence, or a loud one, but at least it makes sense. I’m unreasonably proud.

“No need for thanks. I’ve never been so happy to run into someone in my life.”

I think my eyes jump out of my head when his words hit me. I mean, I’m still trying to gain my balance, but still. Who says things like that? No men that I know. Then again, the men I’m normally attracted to don’t have a full sleeve of tattoos and could probably be bench-pressed by this man.

I know I should say something, even if it’s my one-word sentences, but before I can, a beautiful blonde woman bounces up next to Linc, cell phone in hand, interrupting our moment.

“Hey, Linc, you need to get going,” she turns to me, a smile as wide as can be.

And it’s as fake as the fullness of her lips.

I might wear rose-colored glasses, and I always want to see the good in people, but I was also in a southern sorority.

I can spot a fake smile a mile away. “I’m so sorry.

We need to get going. You know, visit the patients and all.

But if you want an autograph, I’m sure I can get you one. ”

“No, that’s fine. Sorry to hold you up.” I return the smile, maybe not as fake as hers, but it’s close.

I turn to walk away, making sure I check my surroundings before I take a step. But just as I take a step, I feel Linc’s hand on my elbow, stopping me in my tracks.

No, actually, his touch literally shocked me into place and now I’m feeling tingles.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

I nod. “Yeah. Sorry again for running into you. But thank you for coming to visit these kids. You’re making their day.”

The tingles are just about gone, and then Linc smiles. Just a small one. But enough to send the tingles straight to my stomach.

“That’s funny. Because you just made mine.”

My jaw drops slightly as he sends a wink my way before walking off. I watch him go, really unsure if that all just actually happened.

But if it didn’t, and this is some sort of dream, then I never want to wake up.