Suddenly the room’s silence was drowned out by a loud monotone voice with a familiar message. 95 is backed up, Academy to Cottman. No shit. I chuckled to myself. Three years and always the same exact traffic report. After a second, I got out of my own head and realized the news was coming from the alarm clock that was now across the room. Last night, I had smiled seeing the fluorescent hue bedside, illuminating the obscene hour Chase finally tucked my very sated body tight against his for the night.

Dr. Bossy must have set it for me before he left, strategically moving it so I couldn’t snooze. Totally has my number.

But the news, really? It seemed like a stupid thing to notice. But I finally made the connection. His anxiety around music had to stem from the death of his sister. I remembered how melancholy he got when I asked him what happened to his high school band, the band he shared with his sister. A real tragedy. Music must have become too much of a reminder after she died, but for some reason I seemed to be the exception. He allowed me to choose music for his OR cases, and he chose music for our night at the planetarium, knowing how much I loved it.

I slapped the alarm clock hard and headed for the bathroom. The sleek earth tone marble sanctuary was filling with steam when the apartment door buzzed.

Despite my slight embarrassment opening Chase’s door as the obvious overnight guest, questionably dressed no less, I was more than pleasantly surprised.

“Good morning, Ms. Porter, sorry to bother you. Dr. Colton wanted me to deliver this.” The quirky doorman I recognized from my first visit handed me a steaming Starbucks cup. Mmm. Definitely has my number.

Thanks for the latte.

Very sweet :)

I knew he was probably getting ready to start a case, but I sent him the text anyway. His quick reply made me smile.

No. Sweet is the way you taste.

But I’m glad you enjoyed your girl coffee.

Hope you had enough time to put some clothes on.

Dr. Sweet, meet Dr. Possessive...

And here I thought you set the alarm

so I wouldn’t be even LATER for work??

Did he really time the alarm for the doorman’s coffee delivery? No. Crazy talk.

Your boss says you’re not late.

But your boyfriend is waiting for an answer.

If you must know-your case manager is naked,

getting in the shower because she is LATE for work.

But your girlfriend answered the door in your robe.

Reminder for my case manager girlfriend

I don’t like to share.

Not even with the shower.

See YOUR beautiful soon. Xo.

Mouth open, heart pounding, sex twinging ... speechless.

How did he do that again?

“Where were you this morning?” I jumped at the sound of Guy’s voice at my back. Damn it, I totally lacked a plan. “Why weren’t you at rounds? You sick?” I closed my tablet and swiveled on my chair. “Chase said he heard from you this morning, said you were going to be late. Is everything okay, doll? It might be none of my business, but I just know how you are, you never like to be late.” He was sincere.

“I’m okay, Guy. I just, um ... had to take care of something this morning. How are our patients?” I took a play from Sierra’s book and tried to change the subject.

“They’re fine.” He deadpanned, cocking his head to the side to stare directly in my eyes.

“What happened to you Friday night?”

“Hey, Lil, there you are, 508 needs rehab.” Saved by Sam’s voice. He slapped my back “So nice of you to grace us with your presence.” He laughed.

“Whatever, Sam, quit it,” I sneered.

“What? Just because you’ve gotten dismissed from morning rounds and Jackson walks on water, whatever, I’m stuck doing all the shit work. Damn, I totally picked the wrong profession.”

“Dismissed from morning rounds?” A ping of irritation resurfaced. I thought it was my decision when and if anyone found out about our relationship.

“Yeah. Colton made it pretty clear that you weren’t going to be rounding with us anymore in the morning.”

Guy’s eyes bored into me. He hadn’t missed that conversation, yet he was totally prying me for information.

“Um, well, yeah this morning I had to take care of something, and then he said going forward I could come in later, like nine.” I hated lying; it wasn’t me. I sucked at it. I reopened my tablet and loaded my discharges, hoping everyone would stop drilling me.

“Shit.” Sam’s phone chimed with a new text. “Um, guys, since you’re all here, I’ve been meaning to tell you something.” Sam was my saving distraction again.

“Sammy, whatcha hiding?” Leanne silently emerged from the supply closet. She never missed a trick.

“Not hiding anything, just some news.” Sam grinned. “I’m gonna be a father.”

“What! Sam that’s so exciting, congratulations.” I jumped up and pulled him in for a bear hug.

“Dude, that’s so cool.” The boys shook hands and slapped each other’s backs.

Leanne joined me with a big kiss on his cheek. “Sammy’s gonna be a daddy! Good for you, buddy.”

“Thanks, guys, we’re psyched, but I really need a favor. Becky has her first big appointment today, and I promised her I would try my hardest to go. Can you guys cover for me? I think I should only be gone an hour or so.”

“Of course, dude. That’s an important visit. Chase only has one case slated today and so far there aren’t any new admissions. We’ll be fine.” Guy mimicked me. “Besides, Chief seems to be in a surprisingly good mood today.”

Oh, I wonder why.

“Thanks, I really appreciate it.” Sam’s excited energy was contagious.

My phone vibrated.

Beautiful, you in yet?

Yes I’m working.

Just spoke to your boss,

I think you’re in trouble.

He wants to meet with you immediately

In private.

Oh, does he now?

“Whatcha smiling at, girl?” Leanne did that weird thing where you half talk and half sing.

I was so absorbed in texting I totally forgot where I was for a minute. I looked up and saw that Guy and Sam were gone. For now. No way in hell Guy was going to let this go.

“Oh nothing.” I stood ready to retreat to my office. “I gotta run. I have a shitload of paperwork to get done.”

“I call bullshit. Be that way, you’ll spill the beans eventually.”

I must have had “giddy” stamped across my forehead. I was definitely not getting off this floor without giving Leanne something. That girl smelled freaking sex.

15 minutes-

Your office.

The smile spread across my face.

“Lee, Lili.” Kate was hysterically crying, looking completely disheveled when she flew into the nurses’ station.

“Hey, hey. What’s going on?” I tried to calm her.

“Shit, Kate, what did he do now?” Leanne didn’t waste a minute. “Let’s go somewhere more private.” Leanne coaxed her down the hall to an on-call room.

Kate paced back and forth. “I’m such an idiot. I knew I should’ve stayed away from him this morning. I knew something wasn’t right.” She grabbed her forehead and squeezed, slumping into one of the desk chairs. I hated seeing her like this … or any woman like this.

“What the fuck, you’re a mess!” Leanne was definitely losing patience. I crouched down in front of her.

“Kate, sweetie, talk to us,” I whispered. My experience with abused children and women told me the last thing Kate needed was another person badgering her.

“He looked at my phone this morning, and I had one missed text, from Sierra. She’s not programmed in my phone yet, so it came up as an unknown number. I ran into her yesterday and I quickly gave her mine. He … he lost it. He was screaming like a lunatic, calling me a whore and asking how could I cheat on him like this, how could I let him find out this way, that we were done, over.”

“Was the text about meeting for lunch?” I questioned.

“Yeah, all it said was don’t forget-lunch at noon, love. You know how Sierra is, she always uses endearing sentiments, that’s just her.”

“You’re kidding me, right? He saw a fucking text, and that’s it? Goes ape shit on you. Didn’t ask for an explanation,” Leanne hissed. “This is crazy. He’s a loser, you need to dump his sorry ass.”

“You guys don’t understand, he was never like this. I’ve never, ever seen him lose his temper like this before. I don’t understand. How could he ever think I would cheat on him? I love him.” Her tears reignited, while Leanne and I exchanged what-the-hell-are we-going-to-do looks. “I know what you’re both thinking.” She choked on a sob. “How could I love him? And he’s nothing but a stranger to you.”

“Um Kate, sweetie, look at me.” She uncovered her face. “Maybe you need a little break; he obviously has some anger issues. He needs to sort himself out. Let him figure out how totally irrational he’s being. Let him cool off and come find you. He needs to apologize without you running back to him.” She silently looked me in the eyes. “Promise me you’ll wait until he finds you, please don’t go running back, you need to be strong here. I know you love him and you may not want to hear this, but you need to worry about you.” I sat back on my heels waiting for her to agree.