“Can I tell you a secret?”
I studied that damning scar. “I’m counting on it.”
“Back in high school, I thought you were the hottest guy I’d ever seen.”
She wouldn’t remember this confession tomorrow. The medication mix virtually guaranteed that.
“Cupcake, I thought you were the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen.”
Her eyes went wide. “You did?”
“Still do.”
“I could never get a read on you.” She flopped her head sideways, fidgeting with her IV line.
“That boyfriend of yours in high school,” I said carefully, “did he hurt you?”
Tessa giggled, waving her hand dismissively. “He was a teddy bear. Couldn’t even work up the courage to kiss me.”
Jealousy that had been buried in a shallow grave started to unearth itself.
“Then who, Cupcake?” My voice came out rougher than intended. “Who gave you that scar?”
Her smile vanished, glazed eyes drifting to the wall. “I don’t like thinking about that.”
“Dr. Morrison?” A nurse appeared in the doorway. “They’re ready.”
“One minute.” I held up a hand, not looking away from Tessa. “Answer my question.”
She pressed her lips together, stubborn even through the haze.
“The MRI machine is overbooked today. We need to go now.”
“One. Minute.” Each word came out clipped.
The nurse planted her fist on her hip. Just my luck. One of the few not intimidated by me.
“There’s an ICU patient waiting,” she pressed. “We need to move.”
“A name, Tessa.”
But Tessa had retreated into silence. Goddammit.
The nurse wheeled the chair to the bedside, actually shooing me aside as she transferred Tessa into it.
“I shouldn’t have gone to that party,” Tessa murmured.
I blocked the wheelchair’s path, my heart suddenly a battlefield.
“Doctor—”
“Go get whatever damn patient is next. Come back for her.”
“That’ll take too long,” the nurse objected.
“Just give us a couple of minutes,” I snapped.
The nurse arched an eyebrow, looking between me and my patient like she was calculating whether this battle was worth her time. Apparently not.
