Chapter 11

Two days later,Emma sat in the hospital"s coffee corner, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the rim of her half-empty cup. The usual cacophony of sounds and activity in the area dulled to a mere hum around her. She took a slow sip, her gaze fixed on the bulletin board across the room. To her, it was nothing more than a blur of colors, a visual echo of her own swirling emotions.

Dan made love with her—not to her, but he made sure she had been with him every single step. He seemed to have a sixth sense when it came to her anxiety, and he'd switched it up every time she got scared.

The vivid recollection of being with him, how he had tuned into her every feeling, brought a heat to her cheeks that had nothing to do with the hot coffee in her hands.

Dr. Martinez, on his way to the coffee machine, chuckled softly. "Daydreaming, Dr. Sullivan?"

The question snapped her back to reality, the dreamy haze dissipating. She offered a sheepish grin in response, the warmth of her recent memories with Dan still lingering. His laughter, the comfort of his embrace, and the concern in his eyes during their unexpected time together—these moments now formed a tender escape within the chaos of her daily routine.

Dr. Martinez returned from the coffee machine with a steaming mug, the aroma mingling with the faint antiseptic scent of the hospital. He settled across from Emma with a smooth grace, his gaze briefly scanning the room before focusing on her. "You look lovely today. Did you enjoy your weekend?"

Emma was slightly taken aback. While she recognized Dr. Martinez as a skilled surgeon known for his comforting bedside manner, their interactions had always been brief and professional. His unexpected compliment, coupled with a warm smile, left her momentarily unsure of how to respond.

"Have you heard about the hospital"s new initiative to expand the cardiology wing?" Dr. Martinez initiated, swirling his coffee. "It"s quite an ambitious project."

Her interest piqued, Emma nodded. "Yes, I"ve heard some discussions. It"s exciting, especially with the integration of advanced robotic-surgery techniques. It could really enhance patient outcomes."

Dr. Martinez leaned forward. His expression became animated. "Absolutely. The precision these machines offer is remarkable. Speaking of medical advancements, have you come across the latest Alzheimer"s study? It"s been making quite the buzz."

Emma felt a surge of energy at the mention of the topic. "I have. It"s a field close to my heart. My father has dementia, so any progress in understanding these diseases is very welcome." Her voice conveyed hope and urgency, reflecting her deep personal stakes.

"The study"s insights into new treatment possibilities are promising," Dr. Martinez added, his tone sympathetic, yet professionally detached. "It"s a step forward in a field that desperately needs breakthroughs."

Despite the professional veneer of their conversation, Emma couldn"t help but notice the appreciative glances Dr. Martinez sent her way. His questions gradually shifted from professional to personal, subtly probing but just on the edge of being too intimate for a casual conversation between colleagues.

Emma found herself comparing Dr. Martinez"s slick, polished demeanor with Dan"s rugged, straightforward approach. Dr. Martinez was undeniably handsome, his suit fitting him as if tailored for his frame, his hair perfectly styled. In contrast, Dan"s casual, rough-around-the- edges appearance had a different appeal—it was authentic and unpretentious, much like his personality.

As Dr. Martinez casually segued from medical discussions to lighter topics, his tone subtly changed. "By the way, have you seen the lineup for the Roxy Theater downtown? They"re showcasing some classic movies next week. It could be a fun night out."

Emma, feeling a hint of unease, picked up on the underlying intention in his suggestion. He was flirting with her. She recalled overhearing a conversation about his recent divorce, and it dawned on her that he might be seeking more than just casual chit-chat.

She was not interested, at least not in Dr. Martinez. The thought of having to gently discourage his advances was daunting. She didn"t want to offend him, but her mind was elsewhere—with Dan and the memories of their recent time together.

"Have you been to the Roxy Theater lately?"

"Oh, I no. I haven"t had the chance. My schedule"s been pretty packed lately," she hedged. "I"ve been attending kickboxing classes after work." She'd only been to one so far, but she stretched the truth, grateful for the change in subject.

"Kickboxing, really? That"s quite intense."

Emma smiled faintly. "Yes, it"s quite a workout. Helps to de-stress. Plus, I had a rather busy weekend helping my... boyfriend with some things. He"s been a great support." Okay, Dan wasn"t her boyfriend, but the protective man wouldn"t mind her using him as a shield against unwanted attention, would he?

"Boyfriend?" Dr. Martinez raised his eyebrows, but before she was forced to answer, his pager went off. "Well, shoot." He scrambled to his feet and gave his half-empty mug a sad glance. "Have a good day." Without a backward glance he scuttled from the breakroom.

"Bye, Dr. Martinez." She took a sip from her now lukewarm coffee. Against her hip, her pager also went off.

Oh well!

She quickly emptied the two mugs in the sink and rushed to room four-o-seven.