Chapter 1
‘T. “Thompson, you’ve got company?” a mirse hollered over the hum of the hospital’s morning rush. The place was a 200, especially the plastic
upon department during the summer madness.
Kibe, known an Dr. Thompson around here, pushed through the break room door, her eyes landing on Alex Warren, her foster brother, who was parked by the window, phone in hand.
Now, Alex was the kind of guy who could make even the most mondane of mornings a little brighter.
He stood out, tall and confident, with a style that was all his own. His dirty blonde hair was always perfectly messy, like he’d just stepped off a magazine cover. And that black diamond earring gave him a touch of bad boy charm that was hard to resist
As if he could feel her staring, Alex glanced up, his gaze colliding with Ellie’s. I had been years since their paths had crossed, and his eyes seemed to have a new depth to them, a kind of intensity that made her look away first.
With a playful smile, Alex closed the distance, leaning in to get a better look at her. “Look who decided to grace us with her presence. The wanderer returns, and not a word to her family”
Ellie’s heart did a little dance at the familiar scem of hien- mix of sandalwood and a hint of tobacco
Shed been the Warren family’s foster kid, always toeing the line until she chose a college out of town, breaking the mold. The day she left, he’d totally got angry, nigging at her ear in that brotherly way of his.
Shaken by the memories. Ellie tumed to
ned to get Alex some coffee.
The sound of Alex’s footsteps echoed in the room as he caught up to Ellie. “Hey, Ellie,” he said, a playful sone in his voice. “you and Haley still tight?”
Elle turned, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Always” she shot back, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.
“Think you could put in a good word for me?” Alex asked, his gaze hopeful
But as the words left his mouth, Ellie felt like she’d been hit by a truck. Her mind went blank, and she barely registered the hot coffee spilling over her hand, the pain a distant echo
“Oh Ellie, you okay?” Allex was by her side in an instant, his hands guiding hers under the cold tap. He grabbed a tube of aloe vera from the first aid kit. his fingers deftly applying the soothing gel.
Then he looked into her eyes and continued. “If you can help me with Haley, I’ll give you one thing you want, Anything you name it.”
Their eyes locked, and Ellie bit her lip, a storm of emotions brewing behind her calm facade.
Alex, not missing a beat, continued, “She’s the one. Ellie. I’m all in. I need you on my side”
1 eyes sparkled with determination, but Ellie saw something else something that made her heart ache.
She’d been carrying a surch for Alex for seven years, convinced that her feelings were a lost cause. But now he was asking her to help him with someone else. Her best friend, no less. It was a twist she hadn’t seen coming. She felt a whirlwind inside, but she kept her composure.
“Alex. I can’t” Ellie said, her voice barely a whisper, but firm.
His fate fell, the wamith in his eyes replaced by a cold, hard stare. “Why not?” he demanded, the chill in his voice cutting through the air
The room seemed to shrink, the tension palpable, Ellie book a step back, her gaze dropping to the floor. “Haley’s feelings are her own. I can’t interfere,” she said softly, her voice a mix of resolve and regret.
The room was thick with maid words at Alex stood there, his gaze un
unwavering on Ellie. It had been years unce their paths had crossed, and in that time she’d blossomed into a vision of elegance, her lips now a canvas of subele allure.
Before she could make her escape, Alex moved in block her a “Take the afternoon off. We need to talk”
Ellie i hand hovered over the doorknob, her voice firm despite the tremor. “I can’t. I’ve got responsibilities?
Alex let out a snoet, a mix of amusement and annoyance, as he sunsunthly pulled Ellie’s phone from her pocket. With a firm grip, he pressed her thunds to the screen, unlocking it will ease.
Then he served with disdain in his eyes. “How much does an intern make in a day I’ll spot you ten times that. Your day is mine nois. Go get that
Ella’s cheeks flamed, her fats clenching at her sides. That look in his eyes always stripped her of her defenses, leaving her feeling raw and exposed.
He was Jaslands golden boy, the epitome of wealth and power. She was just a girl making her way through the world. The divide between them was as vast as it was insurmountable. Her feelings for him had always been a lone she dared not cross.
1/2
Chapter 1
She took a step back, her voice steady. “It’s not about the money,” Elbe said, meeting his gaze
Alex s expression turned thunderous, his voice a growl. “Hold of you to defy me.”“
The courage Eller had manered crumbled under Alex’s ste
‘s stern gaze. She looked a Bell has surgeries today. I’m his assistant. I can’ʼn just take off”
laway, unable to hold his eyes, but she didn’t back down. “Professor
Alex loomed ever Ellie, who seemed to shrink under his scrutiny. His eyes narrowed, but he remained silent, his ga
gaze unwavering
E
