Her brows tightened. That was all behind her now. It was time to move on, and she intended to do just that. Maybe she’d even flirt with the first attractive man who came across her path.
Her glance went to Brad and then skipped away. Yikes! Just the thought of flirting with him sent a zing of panic shooting through her chest. Along with a dangerous sense of anticipation that left her breathless. Yep, dangerous was a good word for what she was feeling.
She’d promised herself she’d ask him some pointed questions about men and how their minds worked, but could she really go through with it? Especially after the way she’d felt on the back of his bike?
Maybe she’d test out her theory with the second attractive man who came across her path. Just in case. Until she could finally work up the courage to look Brad in the eye and demand he tell her everything he knew.
“CHLOE, THIS IS Layla Woods, head of our general pediatric department.”
The slender blonde standing just inside the hospital lobby held out her hand with a friendly smile. “Nice to meet you. Brad says you’re joining his team on the fourth floor.”
Chloe wasn’t sure how to answer that question. Brad had made it pretty clear he was still looking for someone to take the previous nurse’s place. Besides, she’d be going back to her old job at the end of her vacation. “I’m helping out. Temporarily.”
She took a moment to glance around. Not only was the lobby big, with glossy marble floors and brightly painted walls, it was also refreshingly cool. Chloe welcomed the chilly air blowing across her heated body. Part of the warmth was due to the city streets, but some of it was also from riding behind her new boss. The crowded subway was sounding better and better.
A red-wigged Raggedy Ann stood a few feet away, cheerfully directing patients and visitors to different wings of the hospital. Well, that was different. But she liked the upbeat, bustling atmosphere of the entryway. Almost a reflection of the city itself.
“Well, it’s good to have you,” Layla said, bringing her attention back. “I’m new to Angel’s too, so if you have any questions, holler. It’s probably something I’ve already asked.”
Brad’s phone went off, and he glanced down at the readout with a frown. “I need to get this, sorry. As Layla said, we’re up on the fourth floor, if you want to make your way there. They’re expecting you.”
The other woman tutted at him. “You can’t just abandon her. I’ll show her around and then take her up myself.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.” He punched a button on his phone. “See you in a few.”
“Okay.”
Standing next to Layla, Chloe suddenly felt big and clunky, even though she was only an inch or two taller than the other woman. But where the pediatrician was made up of subtle curves and well-defined angles, Chloe’s hips and boobs were definitely rounder. In shoe terms, Layla was a graceful strappy sandal, while Chloe was a sensible pump.
She sighed. No wonder Travis had gone looking elsewhere.
“You ready?” Another wide smile accompanied the question, and Chloe relaxed. There was nothing snooty or haughty about Layla. Just kindness that shone through her eyes. Along with a strange tinge of sadness.
Everyone had their own problems, she supposed.
The hospital was huge, and Layla’s tour took a little longer than expected. When Chloe glanced down at her watch, hoping she wasn’t going to get in trouble for being late, the other woman touched her hand. “It’s okay. I’m sure Brad’s let them know that you’re with me.”
Chloe nodded and peeked inside the washroom door that Layla had pushed open. “Are you from New York?” she asked.
“Texas. You?”
“Connecticut.”
“That’s closer to home, at least.”
Too close. Chloe gave a pained laugh, horrified to feel the prick of tears. “You know, right now I wish home was in Texas.”
Layla pulled her into the restroom, peering beneath the stall doors to make sure they were empty. “Are you okay?”
Shaking her head in exasperation at herself, she said, “Not really. But I will be.”
One gentle squeeze to the arm later Chloe found words tumbling from her mouth that she had never dreamed of telling anyone. Certainly not her brother or Brad. But something about the other woman—maybe the wise eyes that seemed to see everything—drew the festering poison from her inner wounds like a healing salve. She finished her story with, “I’m filing for divorce.”
Layla gave her a quick hug. “It seems we’re alike in more ways than one. Remind me to tell you about it some time.” She sighed and shook her head. “But for now I think we need to get you upstairs.”
When Chloe peeked at her watch again, she was horrified to see an hour had passed since Brad had left her. “I’m so sorry. I’m sure you have other things to do.”
“I’m glad I was here when you came in. I haven’t...” Her words trailed off. “Well, that’s for another day. If you want to, we can get together for drinks some time. O’Malley’s is just round the corner. It’s a regular haunt for those of us at Angel’s.”
“Thank you. That sounds great.” Maybe starting over wouldn’t be as hard as she’d feared. If the job worked out, Brad might consider keeping her on. Surely Layla or someone could point her in the direction of a reasonably priced apartment. Or someone in need of a roommate.
Because Brad wasn’t going to want her to live with him for ever. And she shouldn’t want that either. Not after all that weirdness she’d felt on the back of his motorcycle.
If that feeling grew...
She rolled her eyes as they made their way to the elevator.
She would just ask him those questions she’d thought about earlier and then get out of his life. And sooner was looking a whole lot better than later.
* * *
It made his blood boil.
Maybe that old expression was true after all, because where there’d been one irritated bubble floating around a moment ago, there was now a steady stream of them rolling up and down the veins of his arms. Filling his chest. Gathering in his skull.
He scowled at the nurses’ desk, where Cade Coleman stood talking to none other than Chloe. His Chloe.
Okay, she wasn’t his. But she was under his care—which was something he never thought he’d say about a woman. And there was something about the way she looked at Cade from beneath her lashes. The ready smile that curved her lips. The color blooming along her cheeks.
His eyes narrowed when she took a strand of hair and twirled it round her index finger.
He’d been on the receiving end of plenty of hair twirls. It usually meant one thing.
Surely she didn’t find the guy attractive.
Well, she sure as hell hadn’t looked at him that way.
As for Coleman, what was he doing, making a move on one of his nurses? One who had only been here for three days.
Whatever it was, he was going to nip it in the bud because Jason would be crawling all over him if he let someone take advantage of Chloe.
“Is there a problem here?”
Chloe’s glance went to his, and she jerked upright, the lock of hair falling from her fingers to join the rest of the glossy strands. “I