Page 41 of Ten Day Affair

I shrug, but my pulse betrays me. “It’s thoughtful, I'll give him that.”

“It’s a text that starts with 'Good morning' and ends with 'through your eyes.' That’s flirting disguised as business.”

“It’s neutral at best. But it's sweet.”

“It’s romantic adjacent, and don’t you dare pretend you don’t feel it.”

I exhale, biting back a smile. “You're exhausting.”

I stuffmy half-eaten protein bar into my pocket as I push through the hospital's sliding doors into the breezeway.

The afternoon sun hits my face. It's a welcome change from the fluorescent lighting that's been burning my retinas for the past eight hours. My shoulders ache from standing in surgery all day.

Three more hours. Just three more hours and I'll be able to leave.

I freeze mid-step.

Cole Houston walks toward the exit, phone to his ear, dressed in a navy suit that makes me irrationally jealous of Italian wool. It hugs his body like it was tailored just to show off. His hair catches the sunlight, casting gold through his waves.

My pulse trips. It isn't a full spiral, but enough to know I’m still not immune.

He hasn't seen me yet. I could duck behind the concrete pillar, pretend I never?—

His eyes find mine across the breezeway. He stops talking mid-sentence. Lowers his phone, smiles, and slides it into his chest pocket.

I'm stuck, unable to think clearly, as he changes direction and walks toward me. My pulse thunders in my ears, drowning out the beeping pagers and staff conversations around us.

"Sam." The way he says my name makes my skin warm.

"Cole. Another board meeting?" I manage to sound casual despite the heat crawling up my neck.

"Budget review. How's your day been?"

"Oh, you know. Just saving lives, being brilliant. The usual." I push my hair behind my ear to try to seem casual.

His smile reaches his eyes, crinkling the corners. "I don't doubt it."

People move around us, a river parting for a boulder. We stand too close for professional acquaintances, not close enough for whatever we are.

"Did you get my text? About the Taylor Wing?"

I nod. "Yeah. Sorry I didn't respond. I was in back-to-back surgeries until literally just now."

"No apology needed." He steps even closer, lowering his voice. Now we are certainly too close for business protocol, if there was ever any doubt.

"We could probably do it tomorrow. I have a quieter day."

"Sounds good, if that works for you. I have another thought. Would you have dinner with me tonight? My place. I've got this fancy kitchen, and it would be a shame not to use it once before I sell."

My pulse jumps. His place. Dinner. Alone.

"Yes." The word escapes before I can think.

His eyebrows lift, surprised by my quick answer.

"I mean—" I backpedal, attempting nonchalance.

He raises an eyebrow. I'm an idiot.