His Games, Her Rules

ing his life or his personal life, except that he's 32 years old and he was born and raised in New York by an Italian mother and a father of French and American descent. I’ve rea

’s 32 years old. This man looks like he’s 28 and I can’t spot any imperfections on his face in his picture

l there’s so much hiding behind that nonchalant and stoic

does that make hi

at he told me I’m indebted to him, especially when I know nothing about him. The man is full of my

gotten yoursel

says. I raise my head in time to see Doctor Sande

e smiles as he pulls up th

s no pa

l me you were not in a re

cafeteria briefly. It’s lunch break and I still haven’t had

ce you care to know, relationships are

his seat as he stares at me. “I’m surprised you

ight.” I roll my eyes,

you hol

e. W

o be able to handle the type of patient we handle

O

before?” And by type, he meant a patient

rt

atches me for a

oman was still alive, badly burnt beyond recognition. Doctor Sanders was in charge of her case and he asked me and two other residents to assist him in performing surgery. She died before we could prep her up. A woman later showed up in tears crying and wailing that the

was always asked to deliver bad news to the patients or the patients’ families. He believed I could deliver bad news wi

ight?” Doctor Sanders asks,

t’s tomorr

? How’s tha

rying to remember

t, the

“Can’t believe you forgot. You must have

about hospital parties and Sain

date? Or are yo

ing with

ou don’t mind me asking, w

m is that he’s a professional man, he’s committed, and he’s really good at what he does. And, I also noticed that a lot of the nurses and some of the doctors think

it a sexual relationship or a passionate relationship. I find it to be unprofessio

is challenging and it lets me work with people who are going through one condition a

he remains silent for a

at your job, I must

u, Doctor

econd there, I thought you'd d

s isn’t

that

ea

ing past my shoulder. Slowly, he stands up. “See you at the party tomorrow, Denver.” He says as he pats

from my corner. I turn my head around to s

I flash them

xy doctor talking about?”

is sexy, Noah.” I

may like you more than he’d care to admit,” Noah s

about?” I ask, stari

nd turns to look at Tiwa.

Not gonna

seat, my eyes fixed on my friends. “

at other people the same way he looks at you.” Noah says, o

you know, Mr. O

kup, but she acts like she doesn't

ir with anybody from St. José but Doctor Scottish Accent is super hot and I’m a hundred and ten percent s

lightly interested in

uld look at anybody else though,” Tiwa say

y and I’m glad y’all know work

y type of affa

ned about my relationship li

ile, get some of that good stuff. And by go

lly meant

oah.” I glare at Noah fro

ums. “

m okay. Also, if I wanna get off, I don’t need a m

because of you.” Noah says, lifting his bottle of wat

ng on her spit. “Fuck.” She

very muc

he table and says, “I’m sorry, I di

don’t own a lot of sex toys. And also, for the millionth time, I know you guys care

says, throwin

p but my lack of a man in my life seems to be a lot more int

rs, feigning hurt as

hell.” Noah says. “Also, I was in a relationship, a

. A lot of the men I’ve gone on dates with started showing no inte

motherhood either but she wasn’t ready to get rid of it. She had raised her daughter by herself, providing her with the best life any child could ever ask for. I'm so proud of her. She dated a

ands when the priest asked, “Is there anybody here who believes these two shouldn’t be married?”. Ti

n karma, but I di

e with them?” Noah asks. “You know? You should wait a week or two before you tell them you’re a

, then they should be made aware of the fact that I have a child and I’m proud

his nose as he picks up his s

es, you don’t get to even meet them. And we understand. You’re committed to your work and relationship isn’t your thing, we get it.” Tiwa says, giving Noah a loo

weeks ago and then you guys started bugging

ape. “This time we mean it. I mean, I mean it. I’m not gonna bring up anything that has to

oah cough loudly while Tiwa pats him on his back. When his coughing fit dies do

laugh from Tiwa and me. “And in the near future, maybe

s true,” I say. No

be here, right

na be here. Might show up

up late. Who’s gonna b

ng necessary? Is

ugh.” Noah says. I give him a look and he rolls his e

ers doesn’t look like he i

ugh? That’s if you h

obvious you’re teaming up with No

.” Tiw

model friend

and O

oo

are but because I can’t imagine the hospital would be in d

ospital

him is that he’s some self-made billionaire.

,” I m

*

turning the rearview mirror in my car to face her so that she ca

the parking lot

know nothing when it comes to what’s going on in

ers sarcastically as she

g the lipstick from her to touch up my lips that a

, leaning toward me to stare at her reflection in the rearvie

ick as I clean the smear

y?” I ask

que says as she turns to look at me. I

suck.” I say, getting out of my car as I shut it. Monique gets down and shuts t

stockholder, share drinks, laugh at boring hospital jokes, and then they’re gonna ca

we decided to

here and Doctor Sanders thought

e wiggles her eyebrows, nudgi

. And that’s final.” I say, striding into the large hospital hall with a lot of m

ways stare at sexy and hot-look

ng around the room at the people I work with. The women are mostly

e,

y already, with rich men and women

init