Page 80 of When You Blush

I close my eyes and take a deep breath. “I can’t take you out in public. We can’t have these kinds of conversationswhere I freaking work.”

She glances around and smiles at the doctors sitting at the next table, and my face explodes with heat.

“I apologize,” I say to them, and they just shake their heads.

“All I’m saying is, he’s not Mr. Forever. He’s Mr. Right Now. And that’s okay.” Ava flashes me a grin. “Do you think Dr. Big Dick is Dr. Forever?”

“I’m going to gag you from now on.”

She smirks and tosses her shiny auburn hair over her shoulder. “Kinky. No, really. How much do you like this guy, Harps?”

I blow out a breath and push my finishedsalad aside.

“A lot. I like him alot.I can imagine a lot of things with him.”

“Weddings and babies?” She blinks at me, suddenly serious.

“I don’t think I want babies, you know that, but the rest?” I bite on my lower lip, thinking about Blake and how he makes me feel. “He makes me feel safe. He’skind.I told him all about Nathan.”

“You haven’t even toldmeall about that piece-of-shit fucker.” She narrows her eyes, and the guilt punches me in the chest. “What did he say?”

“That my past doesn’t scare him, and he wants me no matter what.”

“Wow.” Ava fiddles with her necklace. “Well, this is a recipe for something awesome, and I’m here for it. I love it for you. Like I said, I saw the look in his eyes, and it’s not just sex for him.”

“It’s really good sex,” I whisper behind my hand.

“I should hope so. If a man looks like him and the sex is bad, that’s a sin against humanity.”

I smirk at that because she’s right.

“Are you going to be at Greg’s tonight for dinner?” I ask her as we gather our trash and walk toward the cafeteria exit.

“Yeah, I’ll be there. I think we’re all going. Dad’s excited.”

“What’s on the menu?” I ask. “Do you know?”

“Tuck’s grilling some steaks and veggies. I’ll bring a salad.”

“Good.” I nod, relieved that the menu is all appropriate for Greg. “What are you off to do now?”

“I’m going to go scandalize Joe and suggest he fuck me in the middle of the day when the sun is out and everything.” She rolls her eyes and winks at me. “I’ll see you tonight.”

I wave at her, then take the stairs up to my unit.

It’s busy today. We took in three more babies while I was away, and all three are critical patients. We have parents coming and going, asking questions and needing things.

Aside from my thirty minutes with Ava, there hasn’t been time to slow down all day.

And by the time my shift is almost over, I’m wrung out. I’m standing at the nurses' station, my laptop on the high part of the counter so I can stand and type when I hear my name.

“Harper?” I turn to see what my coworker Amy needs. She’s a seasoned nurse who’s worked in this hospital for more than thirty years, is now part-time, and I adore her.

“Yes, ma’am, what do you need? I just need a sec to finish this note?—”

Amy smiles and gestures behind her. “Dr. Blackwell is here to see you.”

My heart does a little two-step in my chest when he smiles at me, and I close the laptop.