Chapter 4

"Public sector, huh? That is a stable career. You better lock that down, Chloe," one of my colleagues joked.

Watching my coworkers walk away looking highly satisfied, I rubbed my nose, feeling a sudden wave of guilt.

Did the Underworld Administration count as the truth?

Whatever. It wasn't like they asked which specific branch of government.

*****

Around noon, I was organizing patient files at the desk, eagerly counting down the minutes until I could sprint to the cafeteria.

Suddenly, my coworker Finn popped his head around the corner, wiggling his eyebrows. "Chloe, you have a visitor."

Confused, I walked out, only to find Julian standing there holding a takeout bag.

He lifted the bag, gave it a little shake, and smiled warmly. "Chloe, I brought you lunch."

I took a sniff. Pineapple shrimp! My absolute favorite pineapple shrimp!

I practically drooled as I took the bag from him, putting on my bravest face. "Thanks a lot."

Finn Bailey aggressively whispered, "Hey man, are you Chloe's boyfriend?"

Julian kept his eyes entirely on me. "Not yet. But I am working on it."

Finn looked like he was watching a romantic comedy unfold in real time. "Good luck, man! Chloe is the catch of the department."

Julian smiled. "Thanks. Hold on a second." He quickly walked out and returned a few minutes later carrying a tray of iced coffees.

He handed them out to the nurses station. "Please put in a good word for me."

"Oh, absolutely," my coworkers beamed. They thanked him for the drinks while shooting me ridiculous winks.

I glared at his back as he handed out the cups. This guy was a master at bribery.

While I was mentally cursing him out, a freezing cold cup was pressed into my hands. I looked down.

It was my ultimate guilty pleasure: a Venti iced peach lemonade.

I looked up. Julian was watching me with an amused smile. "I know you love lemonade. Got this one specifically for you."

My heart skipped a beat.

Damn it! I was definitely being bribed by this lemonade. It was way too refreshing.

I grabbed a straw and stabbed it through the plastic lid, pretending it was Julian's handsome face.

I had just taken my first sip when the piercing wail of an ambulance siren cut through the air, followed by a medic's shout. "Incoming! Prep for immediate surgery!"

I dropped the drink and bolted toward the trauma bay.

Halfway there, I slammed on the brakes and shot Julian a highly suspicious glare.

Julian immediately threw both hands in the air, signaling he had absolutely nothing to do with it.

I let out a massive sigh of relief and said stiffly, "You can go now."

He took the hint effortlessly. "Alright. See you tonight."

Before I could even protest, he vanished. I subtly glanced around, but everyone was too busy rushing to notice he was gone.

Perfect.

I let out a quiet breath, feeling a surge of hope. If he wasn't sticking around, it meant we could actually save this one.

I turned on my heel and threw myself into the chaos of the ER.

******

The code went smoothly.

The patient was a middle-aged guy with a massive heart attack who got here just in time.

We put a stent in, and his blood pressure finally stabilized.

My legs felt like jelly when I walked out of the OR, but I was in a great mood.

Julian was still around. He was leaning against the wall around the corner, waiting for me.

I glared at him. "Why are you still here? What are you waiting for?"

"Hey, Chloe!" Scarlett Fox, the biggest gossip in our department, poked her head out of her office and scolded me. "Is that how you talk to people?

"The guy has been waiting for you forever. Why are you being so mean? You need to be a little sweeter, you know."

"I stayed out of your way earlier. I only said I was leaving because I was afraid you wouldn't believe me. Chloe, you know I would never lie to you," Julian said.

His voice sounded pathetic, but a sly smile flashed in his eyes.

I wanted to snap back, but I bit my tongue when I met Scarlett's condemning glare. She looked at me like I was a total heartbreaker. I groaned inwardly.

If she only knew how dangerous he actually was, she would be chasing him out with a broom right alongside me.

But I couldn't say a word. I just shot Julian another glare while forcing a sweet smile for Scarlett. "I am always sweet. Don't worry about it."

Scarlett looked between Julian and me with a knowing smile. "Chloe, you must be exhausted from back to back surgeries today. Clock out early. Go grab dinner with this handsome guy and relax."

"What? I am not tired."

"Yes, you are," Scarlett insisted, shoving me toward Julian. "Go on. Get out of here. We have things covered."

Before I could protest, I was pushed out the doors. Scarlett called out, telling Julian to take good care of me.

Julian laughed and promised he would.

I whipped around to glare at him. "Why are you agreeing with her?"