Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 72892 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 364(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72892 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 364(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
He shifts his focus to her. “Was he feeling any tightness in his chest before he collapsed? Any discomfort at all?”
She shrugs a shoulder. “He was leaning in for a hug and then, boom, down he went.”
Dr. Morgan nods. “Daxton has a rare genetic heart condition. He’s going to require a procedure.”
“What?” Penny’s voice carries over the low hum of the chatter in this crowded waiting room. “What does that mean? Is he going to make it?”
“His mother is flying to New York in the morning from Indiana.” He glances at the watch on his wrist. “She’ll be in a position to share the details with you.”
“You can’t tell me more because I barely know him? It wasn’t just a random blind date. There was a spark.” Disappointment laces her tone as she shifts her gaze to me. “ I just told you that, didn’t I?”
I nod softly. “You did, Penny, but I think it’s wise to wait until his mom is here. You can come back in the morning if you want and introduce yourself to her.”
She lets out an audible sigh. “I guess I can do that. What’s his last name again?”
The corners of Dr. Morgan’s lips edge up toward a smile but he halts that quickly. “Robinson. I’ll tell Mrs. Robinson to be on the lookout for you, Penny.”
“My full name is Penny Hartigan,” she tells him. “Can you tell her that for me so she knows who I am?”
“Penny Hartigan,” he repeats her name. “I suggest you head home now.”
“Home?” Her chest heaves. “I should stay for Daxton, shouldn’t I?”
“He’s being transferred to the coronary care unit,” he explains. “The only visitors permitted at this point are immediate family.”
“So, not me?”
“I’m afraid not.” He shakes his head. “Go home and get some sleep.”
“I’ll be back bright and early waiting to speak to Mrs. Robinson,” she announces loud enough that the woman at the reception desk glances at us.
“Noon would be a good time to circle back here.” Dr. Morgan changes her plans for her.
“Noon it is.” She tugs on my hand. “Do you want to share another Uber, Elodie?”
“It’s Eloise,” Dr. Morgan corrects her before I can. “Eloise Rehn.”
I smile, suddenly remembering the bag in my hand. “Oh, Dr. Morgan. I brought your dinner. It’s the takeout you ordered from Atlas 22 before everything happened. The manager asked me to give it to you since we kind of know each other through Astrid and Berk.”
“We do kind of know each other.” He studies my face. “I suspect the tuna is past its prime so I’ll toss this.”
“You’re throwing away the tuna from Atlas 22?” Penny’s voice once again carries throughout the waiting room. “That costs a pretty penny. If I were you, I’d bite the bullet and tempt fate. You are in a hospital after all if something goes wrong.”
He tugs the bag from my hand, not bothering to acknowledge Penny’s advice.
“Thank you for the update, Dr. Morgan,” I say to move this along because I still haven’t eaten dinner and I’m about to race home to the leftover pizza that has been lounging in my fridge for the past two days. “We’ll be going now.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Penny reminds him. “I’ll be here at noon sharp.”
“That’s fine. I need to get back to work.” He turns so he’s facing me directly. “Take care of yourself, Eloise.”
“I will,” I assure him. “It was good to finally meet you.”
“It was good to meet you both,” he says before he walks away, tossing the bag in his hand in the nearest wastebasket before he steals one last glance over his shoulder at the two of us.
CHAPTER THREE
Eloise
“I heard someone at the restaurant say he doesn’t look like any doctor she’s ever been to. I agree one thousand percent with that,” Penny says as we exit the hospital. “I’m all in with Daxton, so that’s clearly just an observation on my part.”
“Are you talking about Dr. Morgan?” I glance up from the screen of my phone. “Our ride is five minutes out. She’ll drop you off at home first.”
She nods. “Of course, I’m talking about him. He’s got those dreamy blue eyes, just the right amount of stubble on his jaw, and that thick brown hair. Talk about a good doctor, or should I say good-looking doctor. Who am I kidding? He’s scorching hot. Everyone sees it.”
I can’t help but smile. “He’s easy on the eyes.”
“That’s one way to put it.” She sighs. “All I really care about is that he leads the charge to save Dax’s life.”
Dax? She’s gone from not knowing the man’s last name to gifting him with a pet name. Maybe there is something to be said for love at first sight.
“I hope he gets well soon so you can finish your first date and plan a second.”