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Dr. Colton’s odd behavior and began to finish Kelly’s questions. “It usually takes about five-six hours and you should be resting comfortably in the recovery room right around seven.”
    I waited for Guy to finish rambling then retreated to the hallway. Dr. Colton’s eyes immediately found mine as he stood, back against the wall, and his hands snaked in his pockets, waiting.
    I shifted my gaze to my tablet and started screwing around. Anything to avoid the awkward tension mounting.
    “I want you there,” he snapped.
    “What, where?” I glanced up from my tablet, hoping he wasn’t really talking to me. I was never around someone who fluctuated moods as fast as a puck traveled across the ice.
    “In the OR.” His eyes reconnected with mine, leaving me to question what he was asking.
    “The OR?”
    “Yes, Ms. Porter, the OR.” His tone was short. I was silent. His request completely baffled me. Why would he want me in the OR? “You with me?” He pulled his hands from his pockets and crossed them over his chest.
    Did I have a choice? “Um … um ... do I have a choice?” Yep, I said it out loud. Shit.
    “You don’t,” he growled. “Kelly needs you there, I need you, so I want you in the OR, period. You with me?” He never blinked, not once. His intensity was insane.
    He needed me? “Um ... um ... okay.” I muttered before I heard Guy at my back whispering, “What’s going on?”
    “Good.” Chase turned to Sam who was tapping away on his tablet, completely oblivious to our conversation. “Dr. Petit, get her scrubs, show her where she needs to go, don’t leave her alone anywhere until I get there. You hear me?”
    “Yeah ... sure...” Sam looked totally caught off guard.
    “Colton, you think this is a good idea?” Guy came to my rescue . “I mean—I don’t think case managers are allowed in the operating room. I’ve been here three years and I’ve never seen one in there before. What if she touches something or-”
    Chase’s bark cut him off mid-sentence. “Hunter, I don’t care whether she’s allowed to be in there or not. I want her in there. Make it happen.”
    Damn. Bad call on the latte this morning. The rumble below was back.
    “W hy would he do this to me?” I sighed and swiveled my chair around to face Leanne typing at the nurses’ station.
    “Listen, have you seen that man? He can notch my bedpost.” Her hand twirled a strand of her long blonde hair.
    “Shhh. What’s wrong with you? Can we have one conversation that doesn’t involve men and sex?”
    She shimmied her shoulders. “Why? That’s no fun.”
    “Really.” I grimaced. “Why am I wasting my time talking to you right now?”
    “Come on, Lil, listen, you need to look on the bright side. You have a smokin’ hot brain surgeon to stare at for seven hours, that opportunity doesn’t shine its pretty head very often, no pun intended.” She giggled. “Take advantage, and have a sense of humor.”
    I looked away annoyed. “I do have a sense of humor, when it’s funny! Whatever…”
    “Whatever, what?” Jackson appeared out of nowhere.
    “Hey Jack.” Leanne grinned and I might have been mistaken, but she looked like she batted her eyelashes. “Haven’t seen you around lately, you should visit more often.” Leanne was the female version of Guy; she had no problem flirting with all things male.
    “What’s up, Lee? Yeah, sorry I really do need to make it up here more often.” He winked. Pretty sure Jack notched her bedpost. His gorgeous mulatto skin, built body and glistening smile were a sight most females couldn’t ignore.
    “So, heard you’re in the OR with me today, Lil.” Making himself comfortable, he rested his forearms on the counter in front of me .
    “Didn’t you just get here, Jack? How on earth do you know that already?” I pouted and sat back in my chair, crossing my arms against my chest.
    He snickered. Somehow PAs didn’t have to round at the butt crack like the rest of us. Like