Page 235 of The Havenport Collection

Eliza

I needed to drown my sorrows. And I had a preferred location for that drowning. Get The Scoop had been one of my favorite places in town since I was a little girl. I had such happy memories of my dad taking me out for ice cream during summer vacations.

In high school, I worked there on weekends, serving cones and sundaes to tourists and locals.

Mary and Bob Foster, the owners, were like a second set of parents to me.

So when I woke up from my nap this afternoon, disillusioned and depressed about yesterday’s meeting with HR, I knew where I had to go.

Going in, I suspected it was going to be bad.

I knew that I’d get a formal reprimand, but suspension with no pay for forty-five days followed by mandatory HR training?

I protected the patient from a lazy narcissist who could have hurt her.

Thankfully, Anna had given a full rundown of the case, so Dr. Higgins was also under review.

I couldn’t help but assume he would get a slap on the wrist, and certainly not a suspension like I did.

Yes. This hadn’t been my first offense, but I can’t help it if I react badly to verbal and psychological abuse by my superiors.

I fucked it up again. Typical Eliza. Can’t keep it together.

I knew I needed a new job. But giving up now felt like failure.

I moved my entire life back to Havenport for this job.

It was going to be a fresh start for me.

And I was happy here. I loved being closer to my parents and my friends.

I loved living downtown, going to the beach, and walking along the harbor in the evenings.

I loved this town. I just really hated the hospital and Dr. Higgins.

Thankfully, the ice cream shop was only two blocks from my apartment, so I didn’t have to expend much energy getting my frozen fix.

Should I try to track down Miss Cleo? Sometimes she set up a table in the town square.

Maybe she could summon some kind of vengeance demon to go after Dr. Higgins for me?

I assumed that was beyond her skill set, but a girl could hope.

I decided to stick with my original plan and stress eat instead.

Due to my ADHD, I tended to compulsively eat when I was feeling down.

I knew it was something I needed to work on, but today just wasn’t that day.

Instead, I wanted to stick my face in the massive containers, but decided to at least pretend to be a civilized human being.

After ordering my extra-large coffee-Oreo and black raspberry combo—don’t judge; it’s delicious—I chatted with Mary and Bob, who still refused to let me pay, claiming my “employee discount” from thirteen years ago was still good.

I crammed a twenty-dollar bill into the tip jar and was ready to head home to gorge myself in peace when the door chimed.

I looked up and saw the same piercing hazel eyes and gorgeous eyelashes that had been haunting me since last week in the ER.

“Nurse Eliza!” Valentina squealed, running over and throwing her arms around me. “I am feeling so much better.” She was wearing a sequined dress over rainbow leggings and a headband with a unicorn horn in the middle. This kid was a trip.

I hugged her back with one arm. “You look great, kiddo,” I said. “I hope you’re taking it easy.”

She flipped her long hair over a shoulder and shot a look of annoyance at Matteo who was loitering in the doorway. “My dad is being so annoying. He says I can’t even go back to dance class yet.”

I looked up at him and caught his eye. His face bore the usual scowl, but his eyes crinkled slightly, letting me know he was amused by the sass being thrown in his direction.

Val steered me toward the chalkboard listing all the flavors. “So I negotiated ice cream, because he’s being super mean and not letting me do anything right now.” She shot him another look and I snorted.

“What are you eating?”

I leaned down and showed her my cup. “This my friend, is half coffee-Oreo and half black raspberry. It sounds weird, but it’s delicious.”

“Oooh. I want that.”

“No caffeine,” Matteo barked.

“Maybe just regular Oreo,” I whispered.

Valentina skipped to the counter and proceeded to give Mary and Bob very specific instructions about what she wanted.

I headed toward the exit, hoping to get away from all the awkward, when a large, tanned hand shot out and grabbed my arm gently.

He cleared his throat. “Nurse Eliza,” he said.

“It’s just Eliza,” I replied.

“Umm, sure. Okay. Well, I wanted to say thank you again. For everything you did to help Valentina. I appreciate it.”

I looked up at his handsome face and smiled. “It’s my job. And she’s a great kid.”

“Thanks. But I mean it. The way you argued with that doctor.” He ran his hand through his long hair and I took a moment to admire the stubble on this strong jaw. “I am really grateful.”

Valentina returned with her ice cream, also on the house apparently, and took my arm. “We’re headed to see my Aunt Nora at her store,” she said, blowing kisses to Mary and Bob.

“I’m actually headed that way too,” I said, staring at my shoes, red-and-white checked Vans that had seen better days. “I live above the store.”

“You know my auntie Gina?” she squealed. “She’s not really my aunt, but I can’t remember so I just call her that.” She shrugged and licked her melting ice cream.

“I do know Gina. We’ve been friends since we were your age.”

“That is so cool. Isn’t that cool, Dad?” Matteo nodded, gesturing for us to walk through the door.

“Being a nurse must be awesome,” Valentina said between bites of ice cream. “You get to help people and make them better.”

“It’s okay. I like it most days.”

“And you get to wear those cool pajamas all day. They must be comfy.”

I leaned down. “They are actually called scrubs, but they are basically pajamas,” I said conspiratorially.

“You are pretty. You kind of look like Anna. You kinda have the same hair. Do you like Frozen ?”

“I haven’t seen it.”

She dropped her chin in disbelief. “What? That’s crazy. You should come watch it. I have the DVD and we bought it on Amazon Prime. It’s sooo good. The first movie is better than the second, but the second has good songs. Ooh. But Moana is really my favorite.”

“Haven’t seen that either.”

“Oh my God. Daddy, can we have Nurse Eliza over for movie night? She hasn’t seen any good movies.” She executed a perfect twirl while we waited for the walk signal to change. “Movie night is super fun. My dad will make food. He’s a really good cook. He even has his own restaurant.”

“Sounds good,” I said. This kid did not stop talking. “I love movies.”

She laughed. “What about today? Do you have to work today? Or can you walk to the store with us and watch movies after?”

“I don’t have to work today actually. I’m kind of on vacation for a bit. But I do have some things to do today.”

She skipped ahead, eating ice cream and waving at some people walking by.

“You’re on vacation?” Matteo asked, walking alongside me. Even a foot away, I could feel the heat of his body and smell his woodsy, masculine scent.

I shrugged. “Administrative suspension, just for a few weeks.”

He stopped abruptly. “Wait. Because of what happened? With Val?”

“No. I was on probation before that. Dr. Higgins and I don’t get along. That was not the first time I was insubordinate.”

“But you were right. He was wrong. You helped Val. I was there. I saw it.”

“Thanks. But it doesn’t matter. The ER is like the military—all about the chain of command. I let my feelings get the better of me and stepped out of line.”

“That’s not right.”

“I know. But there isn’t much I can do. I made the grave mistake of reporting him for drinking on the job last year.

There was a whole investigation, and I’ve had a target on my back ever since.

I shouldn’t be saying this, because Havenport is a small town, but I hate that bastard.

He is not a good doctor, and given the chance, I’d do it again. ”

“You are a great nurse.”

I blushed. Getting a compliment from supreme grump Matteo Rossi felt oddly special.

“I’m probably not going to be an employed nurse for very long.

It’s for the best really. The night shifts have been killing me.

Six weeks off means I can readjust my sleep schedule and rejoin the land of the living. ”

“You should find a new job.”

“I am going to look and send out some resumes. But I do love the hospital. I want to wait and see what the outcome of my disciplinary hearing is and then go from there. Coming back to work here was a dream of mine. And I do want to be able to stay in town.”

“God, I’m so sorry. I feel responsible.” He touched my arm gently, sending shockwaves throughout my body.

I wanted to take a step closer, invade his personal space and really feel him.

But that was insane and totally inappropriate.

We were on the sidewalk, in front of his kid and the entire town.

At some point I’d have to learn how to control myself around hot guys.

I took a step back to put some distance between us, and his hand dropped. I was an adult and a professional. I needed to start behaving like one.

“Not at all. That dipshit Higgins is responsible. He’s the one who didn’t read the chart and ordered the wrong antibiotic.

It’s his fault. I did what I had to do to help my patient.

” I paused and looked up at him. He looked so distressed on my behalf my heart did a little pitter-patter. “And I’d gladly do it again.”

We rounded the corner and headed into the store. I walked in, waving hello to Nora and Gina—who instantly came over to steal a bite of my ice cream.

“Oh, look who it is,” Nora bellowed. “The most amazing niece in the whole world and her grumpy dad.” Val squealed and hugged Nora’s legs.

“Auntie Nora. Dad is being sooo annoying. He wouldn’t let me go to ballet today so then I made him get me ice cream and then we found Nurse Eliza and brought her here.” She danced around, dripping ice cream down her sequined skirt.

“Slow down, kiddo. Eliza lives here. Upstairs with Aunt Gina.”

“I’m going to head upstairs,” I said, moving toward the back of the store where the access to our apartment was.

I wanted to finish my half-melted ice cream and spend the next few hours obsessing about what an awkward fool I had been in front of Matteo.

It was something I did often—relive and break down social interactions.

I loved nothing more than beating myself up about every detail.

What can I say? My head was a joyous place to be.

“Actually, can I have a quick word, in private?” Matteo said.

I looked around, then clarified, “With me?”

He nodded, seemingly annoyed by my confusion.

“Sure, come on up.” I led him to the back of the store to the staircase and felt incredibly self-conscious as I climbed the stairs. Was I walking too fast? Or too slow? My ass was on display in my very dumpy sweatpants. Not the outfit I usually wore when entertaining gentleman callers in my home.

I unlocked the door and gestured for him to walk inside.

“Can I get you anything?”

He shook his head. I sat down at our tiny kitchen table, waiting to hear whatever it was he had to say. Odds were not good that he was about to declare his love or bend me over the table, both of which I would definitely be open to.

He leaned down, bracing his hands on the table.

“I feel terrible about what happened with your job. I’m responsible.”

“You are not responsible.”

“But—”

I cut him off before he could counter. “Let me stop you right there. Feeling responsible and being responsible are two different things. I’ll be fine. I’ll bounce back. Always do.”

The corner of his lip quirked. Probably the closest thing to a smile his face was capable of. I wondered if his smiling muscles had atrophied after so many years of scowling.

“I have no doubt that you bounce back. But I want to help. Do you need money?”

I was a bit insulted and taken aback. “No, I do not. I’m comfortable, thanks. And I don’t want your money.”

He paced around the tiny kitchen, looking out the window onto Water Street below.

“How can I help?”

“I don’t need help.” I was getting a bit exasperated. The alpha protector thing was wearing a bit thin. I was a big girl; I could handle myself.

He looked up and blurted out, “What about a job? I need someone to help with Val after school. Our usual babysitter is studying abroad this semester.”

“Val’s a great kid. But I don’t need a pity job.”

He stalked toward the table, picking up a chair with one hand, spinning it around and then straddling it. If I were wearing panties under my gross sweatpants they would have evaporated. It was that hot.

He leaned forward. “It’s not a pity job.

Quite the opposite. Between my business, my employees, and my family, it’s a lot to handle.

And Val—managing her health and keeping tabs on every little thing.

It’s nonstop. And I’m exhausted. I am lucky I have family who will pitch in.

But I could use someone dependable to help me with her.

And you have medical training. That alone would help me sleep better at night. ”

He looked up at me, dark eyes gleaming.

“Did you really just play the single dad card?” I asked, folding my arms over my chest.

“Yup.” His lip quirked again, edging closer to a smile. “Did it work?”

I rolled my eyes dramatically. “Maybe.”

We stared at each other for an uncomfortably long time. Matteo must have been one hell of a poker player. “Tell me what you have in mind, and I’ll see if I can fit it into my busy schedule.”

He grinned. Full-on grinned and I almost drooled. He had dimples. Motherfucking dimples. I was such as sucker for dimples.

He started to describe Val’s after-school schedule, and my mind wandered to whether or not it would be a good idea to spend more time around this confounding and sexy man.

If I had any sense, I’d say, “no thank you” and start working on my résumé.

But I was not that girl. I saw an opportunity and I ran with it.

Always had. And Matteo Rossi was nothing if not an opportunity.