Doctor Love

Chapter 19

KATE’S POV

The hospital's automatic doors hissed open, and I stepped into the familiar antiseptic-scented air with my chin held high. My strategy was simple: act normal, walk fast, avoid eye contact. Maybe if I pretended yesterday never happened, everyone else would follow suit.

Fat chance.

I could feel the stares before I even saw them—like tiny needles pricking my skin. The reception desk fell silent as I approached, conversations halting mid-sentence. I kept my eyes fixed straight ahead, clutching my coffee cup like a shield.

"Dr. Kate, welcome! You look good this morning."

The cheerful greeting stopped me in my tracks. I turned, surprised to see one of Rita's usual sidekicks smiling at me with unexpected warmth. Rita herself sat behind the desk, glaring daggers in my direction, but the other two nurses were looking at me like I was a wounded puppy.

Great. The pity parade had begun.

"I'm fine, thank you," I replied stiffly, already pivoting to escape.

But before I could make my getaway, both nurses suddenly abandoned their posts and rushed toward me like I might collapse at any moment.

"If you need any help, don't hesitate to call for me, I'd gladly help," one said, her voice syrupy with concern.

"Do you want coffee?" the other asked simultaneously. I stared at them suspiciously.

Few days ago, they were Rita's faithful minions, giggling behind their hands whenever I walked by. Today they were acting like we were best friends? Something didn't add up.

"You two have no jobs, right?" Rita snapped from the desk. "It's not like she can't lift an arm. She's just sick."

The casual cruelty made my jaw clench, but I refused to give her the satisfaction of a reaction. The two nurses ignored their ringleader completely, their attention fixed solely on me.

"We're so sorry about how we treated you before," one said, her eyes wide with sincerity. "We had no idea about your...."

"It's fine," I said curtly, trying again to extract myself from this awkward encounter.

"I'm Joanna," the nurse with the sleek ponytail said, extending her hand.

"I'm Jennifer," the other added immediately, also offering her hand.

They stretched their arms out at exactly the same time, with identical gestures and identical smiles. That's when I noticed what should have been obvious—the shape of their eyes, the curve of their cheekbones, the synchronized movements.

"We're sisters," Jennifer explained with a grin, catching my confusion.

"Twins," Joanna added.

"Wow," I couldn't help but exclaim. The realization made me feel slightly better about never being able to tell them apart. I took their hands briefly. "Nice to officially meet you both, but I really have to go now."

They waved cheerfully as I finally escaped, and I heaved a deep sigh of relief once I rounded the corner. I changed quickly in the locker room, grateful to find it empty. The last thing I needed was more pitying looks or awkward questions. Once in my scrubs, I headed straight to Frank's room for his discharge examination.

Frank was sitting up in bed when I entered, looking dejected as he packed his few belongings. When he saw me, his face lit up like a Christmas tree.

"Dr. Kate!" he exclaimed. "You're here! And you're okay!"

I smiled despite myself. Frank's enthusiasm was hard to resist.

"Of course I'm here. It's your big day—discharge day."

"I barely slept a wink last night," he admitted, stuffing a magazine into his duffel bag. "I kept thinking about you and your... you know."

My smile faded slightly. "My condition?"

"Yeah. I just never thought doctors and nurses get sick too, you know? Especially not like... that."

I couldn't help but laugh at his innocent surprise. "We're human too, Frank. White coats don't make us immortal."

"Will you be okay?" His eyes were so earnest it hurt a little. "Is there anything I can do to help? My cousin works for this health food store and they have these special supplements that—"

"I'll be fine," I interrupted gently, taking his chart from the end of the bed. "Don't worry about me. What you should worry about is how to manage your health, okay? Take your drugs on time and adhere to all our instructions."

Frank nodded solemnly, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a slip of paper. "Here's my home address. And my cell number. And my email. In case you ever need anything. Or just want to talk."

The genuine concern in his voice touched me.

"Thank you, Frank," I said, taking the paper.

Without warning, he pulled me into a hug. After a moment of surprise, I hugged him back, laughing a little at his enthusiasm.

"I'm going to miss you, Dr. Kate," he said.

"I'll miss you too, Frank," I replied, surprised to find I meant it. "But I don't want to see you back here, understand? Stay healthy."

"Kate."

The voice from the doorway sent an electric shock down my spine. I disengaged from the hug and turned to see David standing there, looking as if he'd been carved from stone. His expression was unreadable, but there was something in his eyes that made my heart beat faster.

For a split second, I was back in that room, feeling his lips on mine, his hands gentle but insistent. The memory stole my breath and I felt warmth creeping up my neck.

"Yes?" I managed to respond, my voice impressively steady considering the chaos in my chest.

"Can we talk?" he asked.