Page 9 of Doctor’s Orders

“The techs have been fielding calls since seven this morning and we are now officially packed to the gills with appointments today and it’s gonna be all hands on deck. I’ll manage all the techs while you get used to working with the kindly old doctor.”

“Carol,” I say with a growl.

She rolls her eyes, not even pretending to be chastised. She hands Lizzie a tablet. “First up we’ve got a live one in exam room four. I’m guessing a double ear infection, but it’s hard to tell.” Then Carol claps her hands. “Okay then, go team.” And once again, she walks out of the room.

“If she wasn’t retiring, I’d fire her,” I mutter.

“Asshole,” Lizzie whispers. Then walks off to look for exam room four.

I go in search of my doctor coat because for some dumbass reason I want to look more official? I don’t even know. I just know that I am fucked.

chapter

five

Lizzie

Carol wasn’t wrong when she said our schedule was packed. We’ve seen everything from double ear infections to your standard norovirus. Remarkably enough, Graham and I work together seamlessly. It’s pretty damn annoying when you think about it.

So far, everything we do together, we do it well. Except for that screaming match when I first walked into his office and got the shock of a lifetime.

I’m finally having a short break so I can inhale a protein smoothie I got at the local ice cream place, Sprinkles. While walking back to the office, I take a moment to send my sister a text.

ME: You are never going to believe this.

ANNABELLE: What?

ME: My hot silver fox one-night stand…

ANNABELLE: OMG! Did he call you?

ME: No, we didn’t even exchange last names. But he’s my new fucking boss!

ANNABELLE: Shut up!

ANNABELLE: Are you serious right now?

ME: This is NOT something I would joke about.

ANNABELLE: That means he’s your new landlord too!

ANNABELLE: Also, OMG, you totally banged the hot doc.

ME: Is that what people call him? Because I was expecting an old man.

ANNABELLE: Well, you know I haven’t been back in town for very long, but I know everyone loves him. He’s a huge financial backer for all kinds of things in the town and the county as a whole.

ME: He accused me of trying to trap him because of his fortune.

ANNABELLE: Oh damn. I’m sorry.

ME: How would I have even known he had a fortune? And seriously, who talks like that? I mean, we’re getting an inheritance, thanks to you, but I don’t go around calling it a ‘fortune.’

ANNABELLE: Well, I don’t know much, but I know enough to say that you know how some people have money and then some people have MONEY?

ME: Yeah, I gathered that much. He clearly thought I was some kind of gold digger.

ANNABELLE: What are you going to do?