“Do you always flirt with your nurses?” I asked, just to deflect.He smiled faintly. “Only the ones who look like they’ve been running from something.”I didn’t answer. Couldn’t.Instead, I scribbled something—anything—onto the chart just to keep my hands moving. Just to stop them from trembling. Then I nodded once, too fast, and turned toward the door.“Call the desk if you need anything.”My hand had just touched the handle when he said it—calmly, but like it mattered.“What’s your name?”I paused.It was a simple question, but it felt like a doorway. And I wasn’t sure what was waiting on the other side.I could have walked out and kept the space between us clinical and clean, like I was supposed to.But his voice, steady despite the pain, pulled something out of me. Or maybe it was his eyes. Clear now. Present. Like he was actually seeing me, not just the nurse assigned to his chart. Turned back, slower this time.“Gabriella.”His mouth moved like he was tasting it. “Gabriella,” h
Last Updated : 2025-06-11 Read more