by Donna Hill
Dina set down her fork and rested her forearms on the table. “Do you believe everything you hear? He’s smug and elitist because he didn’t notice us in a crowded and, might I add, dimly lit restaurant?” She wanted to tell her how off base she was about Franklin Grant. Anna hadn’t seen the fun-loving, athletic man that she’d viewed in the park playing with his brothers, or the suddenly uncertain man who’d asked her to accompany him to his parents’ anniversary party. She had, and she wasn’t going to be the one to inform Anna otherwise.
Anna sighed. “You’re probably right. But speaking of sexy if not ‘smug’ men, anyone special in your life?”
Dina kept her gaze focused on her food. “Really don’t have time. I didn’t travel all the way across the country to find a love connection,” she said, trying to lighten her tone. “I’m here for work.”
“Of course there’s that, but come on, Dina. You’re still a woman.”
That she was, and keeping her attraction to Franklin Grant under wraps was becoming more difficult on a daily basis. She had to keep reminding herself that her goal was to finish her fellowship and land an attending position. She’d been down the relationship road before; it was a painful distraction and a reminder that people you care about leave. She couldn’t let that happen again, no matter how tempting the “smug” Dr. Grant was.
Dina filled her fork with zucchini and lifted it to her mouth. “Yes, a woman with a focus. What about you?” She chewed slowly.
Anna tucked a stray strand of silky hair back into her trademark topknot hairstyle. “Well, nothing steady, but there is a guy that I’ve been seeing.”
“Doctor?”
“Hell no.” She sputtered a laugh. “Too much ego in one relationship. I try to steer clear of men in the medical profession. Although from time to time when the chemistry was right I have made an exception.” She winked.
“Do tell.” Dina caught movement in her peripheral vision. Her heart thumped. She saw Anna’s lips moving, but the only thing she could process was his presence.
“Dr. Lorde... Dr. Hamilton. I thought it was you two.”
He was standing directly behind her. His large fingers rested on the back of her chair. If she moved even in the slightest, his fingertips would brush the back of her neck.
“I noticed you when you came in. That’s Dr. Fischer isn’t it?” Anna asked, all teeth.
Franklin briefly glanced over his shoulder. “Yes, it is.” He cleared his throat.
“You’re welcome to join us. I’m sure the waitress can make room,” Anna said.
“Thanks for the offer, just wanted to say hello. Have a good evening.”
The flutter in Dina’s throat kept her from responding. She barely glanced up offering only a tight-lipped smile. The hairs on the back of her neck electrified as he walked away.
“You, too,” Anna called out. She turned her attention to Dina. “If you were any more disconnected you wouldn’t have been here,” Anna said.
Dina settled her gaze on Anna. “What does that mean?”
“You acted like he wasn’t even here. Playing nice will get us ahead.”
“I was nice. We just saw each other a couple of hours ago—long hours I might add.”
Anna blew out a breath. “Whatever. Now, Dr. Grant would make the perfect mentor. With him as a patron... Anyway...”
Anna prattled on, but Dina wasn’t really listening. All she could think about was how turned on she’d gotten with Franklin standing so close. It was crazy. He was a colleague, and she didn’t get all worked up over a man—at least she hadn’t until now, and that was a problem.
Chapter 8
Franklin returned to his table and settled in his seat. He didn’t make it a habit of frequenting the local hospital hangout. After one drink too many the lines of the personal and professional generally collided and not always for the best. However, today he’d made an exception when Dr. Fischer asked if he’d listen to an idea he had for a prototype for heart valve replacement. Fischer suggested The Bottom. The last person he’d expected to see there was Dina. He’d gotten the impression from her that she wasn’t the crowd-gathering type either. Obviously he was wrong.
The waitress brought them their drinks and Fischer launched into the details of his idea that he said he’d been working on for the past two years.
Franklin listened, or half-listened, nodding and umm-hmming at all the appropriate places. His thoughts kept shifting to Dina. Subtly he stole glances in her direction, maybe to catch her eye; he wasn’t sure. He watched the way she lifted her glass, tilted her head, tucked stray hair behind her ears and pensively chewed her food while it appeared that Anna prattled on nonstop. What if she did suddenly turn and look at him, caught him staring?
“So do you think I have a shot presenting to the board?”
Franklin blinked Fischer back into focus. “I don’t see why not.” He took a long swallow from his glass. “Sounds very promising. There would have to be clinical trials.”
“Of course. Of course.” His voice lifted with excitement. “A word from you would definitely give me the push I need with the board,” he said, his pale cheeks flaming red.
So that’s what this was really about. Franklin blew out a breath, wrapped his hands around his glass and leaned in. “I...don’t make a habit of endorsing experimental procedures or prototypes. The waters can get very murky when that happens. I can’t have every surgeon or resident on my team coming to me asking for a ‘get me in the door’ ticket. What I will do is take a look at your research and when you—” he pointed a finger at Fischer “—are ready to present, if it is all that you claim it is, I’ll give you my support.”
Fisher bobbed his head, his ginger hair gleaming under the light. “Fair enough. I didn’t mean to overstep. I just thought—”
Franklin raised his hand to halt any apology. “It’s okay.” He picked up the plastic menu. “Let’s order. I’m actually hungry.” He lifted his gaze above the top of the menu and collided with Dina’s smoldering eyes. It was only an instant, but long enough to send a jolt through his system. She was alone and almost looked as if she smiled at him—almost. Anna returned, momentarily blocking his view of Dina and severing the electric wire.
Franklin cleared his throat, tossed back the rest of his drink and set the glass down. “On second thought I’m going to have to take a rain check on dinner. I have a surgery in the morning.”
“Oh. Uh, sure.”
Franklin pulled out his wallet and put a twenty on the table. He pushed his chair back and stood. “Keep me posted on your progress.”
Fischer nodded. “Thank you. I will.”
Franklin gave a short nod, grabbed his jacket from the back of the chair and walked toward the exit. Briefly he looked toward the table where Dina was seated. Anna was turned away talking to two doctors. Dina slid out of her chair and walked over to him.
“Leaving? Did you even get a chance to eat?” she asked looking him in the eye.
“Early day tomorrow.”
Dina pressed her lips together and nodded with understanding.
“How long are you staying?”
Her eyes sparkled. She ran her tongue across her bottom lip. “I’m actually ready to call it a night myself.” Her gaze slid back to her table. Anna was in full conversation mode.
“I’m probably going to grab something on my way home. This place is a little too crowded for me. There’s a great diner not far from my house. Reds.”
Her eyes widened. “I know the place. De-lish burgers.”
Franklin chuckled. “That they do.” He slid his hands into his pockets to keep from touching her like he’d wanted to do from the instant he stood behind her chair.
“The food here isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I’m still hungry.”
Franklin swallowed. Snatched a look in Anna’s direction. He and Dina wer
e blocked from view by a large group that was standing around with their drinks. “I’ll probably be there for an hour or so if you decide to drop in. I’ll save you a seat.”
“I just might do that.”
He gave a short nod, turned and strode out.
Dina sucked in a shaky breath. What she wanted to do was slide her hand in his and walk out into the balmy spring night with him. She wanted to nestle under his arm while they strolled along Constitution Avenue and inhale the intoxicating scent of him. But she’d settle for a cheeseburger with all the fixings and a side of sweet potato fries.
Chapter 9
Dina returned to her table and slid into her seat moments before Anna’s laughter ended and she swung back around to her table mate, her face beaming.
“Isn’t Kara hysterical? She has that Nurse Ratched attitude perfected, down to the arching right brow every time you ask her a damned question.” She snatched up her glass and took a swallow. Her eyes caught the light.
Dina didn’t engage. She pushed her pasta around on her plate while mentally counting how long she should wait before she made her exit. Besides, the last thing she wanted was to get dragged into a conversation dishing on some other woman. She knew from experience what that felt like, being on the listening end of a group of interns virtually tearing her to shreds simply because she chose to work a third shift knowing it was the toughest and would challenge her. She was called all kinds of butt-kisser names. The experience wounded her in a way that she, at first, couldn’t process. She naively believed that these young women whom she stood shoulder to shoulder with every day, battling life and death, were not only colleagues, but her friends. Lesson learned. She took her napkin and dabbed at the corners of her mouth.
“Hey, listen, I’m beat. I’m going to call it a night. Early call in the morning.”
Anna blinked. Her glass held in midair, inches away from her lips. She tipped her head to the side, her brows pinched. “Really? I thought you didn’t have to go in until noon?”
Dina didn’t flinch. “Earlier than the late shift.” She smiled, put her napkin down and reached for her purse. The last thing she was going to do was explain herself to Anna. She took out her wallet.
Anna held up her hand. “No. I got this. I invited you.” She flashed a smile.
“I always pay my share.” She pulled out two twenties. “That should cover my end plus a tip.” She pushed her chair back and stood. “Thanks for the invite. I need to get out more.”
“Sure. Anytime. I’ll probably leave in a little while myself.” She gave a short shrug. “Guess I’ll join Kara and company for a bit.”
Dina nodded. “Get home safely and thanks again. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She hooked her bag over her shoulder and took her jacket from the back of her chair, draped it across her arm.
Anna stretched her neck, looked around Dina. “Looks like Dr. Tall-Dark-and-Handsome has left the building.” Her gaze slid to Dina’s.
“Who?”
“Dr. Grant.”
“Oh.” Dina feigned a glance over her shoulder. She drew in a breath. “See you tomorrow,” she said, leaned down and patted Anna’s hand before turning and walking out.
Once outside she slowly shook her head and pushed out a breath of relief. What was she thinking in agreeing to have dinner with Anna Lorde? The past hour was more of a strain than surgery. She proceeded down the block to where she’d parked her car. It wasn’t that she didn’t like Anna. She did have good qualities. She could be funny. She was smart, a good doctor. It was...there were just those little snarky things about Anna that rubbed her the wrong way. The way she was always ready to undercut someone, and her deep-seated “us against them” mentality. She frowned. The chirp of her car alarm disengaged the locks. She looked right, left, then opened the door, an old habit from growing up in the hood.
She slid behind the wheel, dropped her purse on the passenger seat and engaged the locks before putting on her seat belt. If she remembered correctly, Reds was an easy fifteen minutes away. She turned on the ignition and the sound of Childish Gambino’s “This Is America” pumped through the speakers. When the song was released, it took the music industry and the world by storm. The messages were raw and unapologetic. Long after its debut the lyrics and the images still resonated. She put the track on a permanent place of honor on her go-to music playlist.
Dina eased out of her parking space and into the light evening traffic. She stopped at the intersection. At the mouth of the horizon, the light from the Washington Monument lit the sky. A beacon of hope or a spotlight on the rubble that was becoming America?
She made a left.
Chapter 10
Franklin had been at Reds nearly forty minutes. He’d ordered a drink and waited to choose his meal in the vague hope that Dina would actually show up and join him. Why was he even doing this? Taking up with a colleague, albeit a hot, sexy, brilliant one, was not his MO.
He slowly rotated his glass in a circular motion and watched the ice swim in a pool of warm amber. It was probably best that Dina didn’t show up. It was enough that he’d been so foolish to ask her to attend the anniversary party. What the hell was it about Dina Hamilton that made him—
“Hi. Took forever to find a parking space.”
He looked up from the depths of his drink and his gut seesawed at the sight of her. He started to get up to help her into her seat, but she’d already slid into the booth before he’d gotten to his feet.
“Glad you could make it,” he said, hoping to sound casual.
She smiled and linked her slender fingers together on top of the table. “Me, too.” She took a quick look around. “Kind of crowded for a Tuesday night, huh.” Her gaze swung back to him. “Did you order?”
“No. Figured I’d wait.”
Her long, lowered lashes shielded her eyes. “And what if I didn’t come,” she asked, her voice suddenly smoky.
Franklin’s jaw clenched. Her words were loaded with innuendo. At least he thought so. Maybe he was hearing what he wanted to hear. The right corner of his mouth lifted. “Now that you’ve come...we can order.”
Her tongue peeked out and laved her bottom lip. “I’m beyond hungry.” She picked up the menu.
Her face was hidden behind the menu and it was just as well. It gave him a minute to pull himself together. He felt like he’d been body snatched. This was so out of character for him. Of course he was no monk. He enjoyed the company and pleasures of a woman like any other man, but on the job flings rarely turned out well. And when they didn’t there was always the awkwardness of still having to work together. Besides, after her fellowship was done, she’d leave. So, what was the point in starting something that already had a time stamp on it?
“I think I’ll have my go-to,” she said, jerking him out of his wandering thoughts. She put the menu down and turned her focus all on him.
His groin tightened. He shifted in his seat. “Burger and fries?”
“Yep. You?”
“Same.”
As if on cue the waitress came to take their order.
Dina linked her long fingers together on top of the table and slowly glanced around. “When I first got here from California I must have trolled the restaurants and burger spots for about a month before I found Reds.” She grinned at the memory. “From then on this was my spot.”
“I’d think all you West Coasters would be vegans,” he said with a light chuckle.
Her brows rose to an Oh really arch. “Don’t believe everything you hear. I mean I do make every effort to eat healthy on a regular basis, but I can’t do the vegan thing because I love a good thick burger from time to time.”
Franklin swallowed. Was she messing with his head? Everything she said seemed to have a double meaning, like she was baiting him, reeling him in. That’s crazy thinking. Must be him. Letting his imagination run wild, seeing stuff that reall
y wasn’t there.
“I saw on the board that you have a pretty complicated surgery tomorrow.”
Franklin lifted his glass of water, took a swallow. “Yes, a reconstruction.”
“I’d like to scrub in if that’s okay.”
His lips quirked. “I don’t see that as a problem.”
“Great.”
“I didn’t know that you and Dr. Lorde were...friends.”
“I wouldn’t exactly call us friends...colleagues, yes.” She pushed out a breath, lowered her gaze. “Like I mentioned before, I don’t really know anyone here outside work. I’m not what most would call outgoing.” She laughed lightly. “And I’m pretty picky when it comes to friends or anyone getting close to me.”
On that note they were very much alike. Other than his brothers he was short on the close male friend scale and as for women, once burned twice shy. He chose slow and wise. Her gaze suddenly landed right on his and a shock jolted up his back. He moved his water glass in a slow circle on the table.
“Anna... Dr. Lorde has been asking me for weeks to come have a drink or lunch or whatever. I finally gave in.” She pointed a finger in his direction. “But I really didn’t take you as someone that would go to The Bottom. You don’t come across as the mix-and-mingle type.”
“Touché. I’m not. Dr. Fischer wanted to talk outside the hospital. That was the closest place.”
“Guess we both got wrangled into doing something we wouldn’t normally do by people we wouldn’t normally hang out with.” She tipped her head to the side and smiled at him. “And here we are. Together. Funny how things work out.”
His gaze slowly moved over her face. He wanted to touch her, see if her cheek was as soft as it was flawless, or if her lips were as sweet as the glossy fruits they appeared to be. “Yeah, funny,” he finally said.
The waitress arrived with their food and the moments of any awkwardness were filled with the clicking of silver against plates and murmurs of pass this or that across the table.