She answered on the second ring, but her “Hello” sounded a little frazzled.
“Hey, SuperDoc,” he said. “How are you?”
“Exhausted,” she said. “Working a twenty hour shift today.”
“Twenty?” Did he hear that right? “Twenty hours straight?” That couldn’t possibly be healthy.
“Yes. I wasn’t supposed to be on duty this long, but I’m covering for my colleague who covered for me on Saturday,” she said. “You know, so I could go draw superheroes with you.”
Riley’s tone had a slight edge to it, and Noah wasn’t sure how to take it. Did she regret spending the afternoon with him at the comic con? “And I’m glad you did, because I had a great time.”
“So did I. Then. I’m just paying for it now.” Riley exhaled audibly. “I’m sorry, I’m being bitchy.”
“No, you’re not. I understand you’re tired and busy,” Noah said. “I just thought I’d call and say hi.”
“I’m glad you did. What’re you up to?”
Noah hesitated to tell her. It would probably sound lame and childish compared to how she spent her days. “I’m at Monster Golf.”
“What’s that?”
“A miniature golf place with a monster theme. It’s all done in neon and black lights, and you play with a fluorescent ball,” Noah said. “Anyway, there are skeletons and witches, and even a really spooky-ass clown, and you have to aim the ball at his creepy mouth.” He shuddered involuntarily. “I hate that hole.”
“Okay... so you do this why, exactly?”
Sure enough, she thought it was silly. “I don’t know. It’s hard to explain. It relaxes me on game days, but I think the focus and concentration of putting also helps my hockey shot, too.” Noah had never taken the time to really analyze it, but he felt he played better in games after his usual ritual.
“And the monster stuff? Why that?”
“Oh, this is just where I came today. There are other fun courses in town,” Noah said. “Today I felt like monsters. Hopefully that stupid clown won’t give me nightmares.”
Riley laughed. “Yeah, I hope not.”
“Creepy clown aside, this place is fun,” Noah said. “We’ll have to play sometime.”
“Right. Like I have time to hit a little ball around on Astroturf.”
Noah wasn’t deterred. “We’ll make time. I think you’d enjoy it, and find it relaxing, too. It’s okay to kick back sometimes, you know.”
“I’ve heard that before,” Riley said. “I’m still working on implementing it into practice.” If relaxing was work for her, then Noah knew he had his work cut out for him if he was going to convince Riley they were a good it and she should spend more time with him. “Anyway, I have to go. Good luck. Both with the monsters and the game tonight. Thanks for calling.”
“You’re welcome. I’d tell you not to work too hard, but I know you don’t have a choice.” He also wouldn’t suggest Riley watch part of the hockey game, although Noah hoped she might be able to catch a few minutes of it.
He ended the call and made his way over to the first hole. Except for the clown, Noah liked this course. It was both challenging and fun, and playing under black lights, with a glow-in-the-dark ball, added a unique element to it. The music helped, too.
Noah played the course twice, improving on his score the second time, and then headed home to get ready for the game. He ate an early dinner, showered, and dressed in a suit and tie for the drive to the arena.
When he got to the locker room, a couple of the guys were already there, including Beck, whom Noah wanted to talk to.
“I need your help with something,” Noah said without preamble.
“Okay, what?” Beck asked.
Noah took off his jacket and hung it in his locker. “Riley.”
Beck frowned. “Huh? I thought you guys were hitting it off.”
“We were. I think we still are.” At least, there weren’t any red flags in their phone conversation to make Noah worry she didn’t want to see him again, even if she did think he was a little weird for going golfing with monsters. “I want to ask her out again, but she’s always busy,” Noah said. “I want her to not have a reason to say no.”
“Okay, and how am I supposed to help with this?” the goalie asked.
“It might be a long shot, but I hoped maybe you could enlist Kendall’s help,” Noah said. “Maybe she knows Riley’s schedule or could find out for me, or even try to facilitate something again.” As he took if his tie, he was struck with an idea. “Hey, how about she sets up another double, Riley and me with you and Kendall, but then you guys have to cancel at the last minute.”
“That’s devious, bro,” Beck said. He smiled. “I think I like it. I’ll text Kendall right now. She’s not going to be here tonight, so maybe she can work some magic.”
“Thanks, man. I appreciate it,” Noah said.
“Not a problem. I think the two of you can be good together, so I’d like this to work out.”
***
Riley’s pager went off as she left one of her patients’ rooms, so she headed toward the nurse’s station to see what was up. Kendall stood there, along with her daughter Alison.
“Well, this is a nice surprise.” Riley bent down to be at eye level with the wheelchair-confined Alison. “Hi there, Ali-Cat,” she said, using the nickname she’d given her young patient. “How are you?”
The little girl couldn’t answer, having lost her vocal abilities due to Rett’s syndrome, but her hearing was fine, and Riley believed she could understand, too, because Ali’s expression changed. It was a subtle change, but a change nonetheless.
“We were out and about, so I thought we’d stop by and say hello,” Kendall said. “It’s been a while since you’ve seen Ali.”
“It sure has.” Riley met Kendall and her daughter the previous summer, when she’d been working this same rotation and Ali was admitted after suffering a severe seizure. Fortunately, her current medication had curbed the seizures a great deal, and Riley hoped it meant no more hospital stays. “I’m back on the clinic rotation soon,” she said, “so maybe I’ll be there when she follows up with Dr. Richards next time.”
“That’ll be nice,” Kendall said.
“Yes. The inpatient rotation is so grueling,” Riley said. “Especially since I’m on call until tomorrow morning.”
“Ugh. That’s awful.”
“Welcome to the life of a second-year resident. I keep being told that there’s light at the end of the tunnel. I’m hoping it’s not a train.” This was Riley’s dream, though, so she wouldn’t allow herself to complain too much.
“It’s not. You’ve got this, and you’ll be a great doctor. You already are,” Kendall said. “I’m guessing you aren’t going to have time to watch any of the hockey game tonight, then?”
Riley shook her head. “Doubtful, other than maybe a few minutes.” If she did get the opportunity, she planned to turn it on in the lounge. “I guess you aren’t going tonight.”
“Nope. School night.” Kendall worked as a third grade teacher. “We’re on our way to pick up Tristan from hockey practice, then we’ll watch it at home. I’d rather be there in person, but I can’t tonight,” she said. “Anyway, I wanted to see when your next day off is. I’d like the four of us to get together.”
“You, me, Tristan and Ali?” Riley asked, causing Kendall to laugh.
“No, silly. I meant Becker and me and you and Noah, of course.”
“In that case, she’s off all day Friday,” Lauren chimed in.
Riley turned to the nurse. Lauren was a diligent worker, and Riley didn’t believe she had been paying attention to the entire conversation. “Do you have a trigger to respond whenever you hear the name Noah?”
Lauren chuckled. “That must be it.”
Riley looked at Kendall and gave a casual shrug. “Since Lauren apparently knows my schedule better than I do, I guess I don’t have much of a choice. We’ll do something. The four of us.”
/> Kendall rolled her eyes. “You could, at least, try to sound happy about it.”
“I am, I promise,” Riley said. “Just tired and overworked right now. I’m glad you stopped by. I’ll talk to you later, okay? Enjoy the game.” She tousled Ali’s hair. “And you be good, Ali-Cat. It was nice to see you again.”
“That little girl is precious,” Lauren said, once Kendall and Ali had left.
“Yes, she is,” Riley agreed. “Meeting her has been one of the blessings of this job, and it was sweet of them to stop by.” She sighed. “Back to the grind now, but I need some caffeine first. I’m going to get a soda. Can I get you anything?”
Lauren nodded. “That would be great. Make sure mine is diet, though.”
***
Noah didn’t score, but he did tally an assist as San Antonio notched a 3-2 victory over Tampa Bay. This time, it was Nik Brantov who got to wear the toy gun holster awarded to the best player of the game. It might be a silly custom, but all the guys liked it, and helped to build a team camaraderie in the locker room.
“Got some news for you, Noah,” Beck announced after the post-game wrap up. He was looking at his phone.
“Yeah? What’s that?”
“Riley’s off all day Friday, and Kendall got her to agree to double with us.”
Friday. That would work. They had a game on Thursday, then a day off before heading up to St. Louis on Saturday morning to meet the Blues. The stretch of the schedule they were in wasn’t too rough. At least they didn’t have a back-to-back for a couple weeks. Noah hated back-to-backs. Most of the guys did. Still, they were nothing compared to the twenty hour shift Riley had to work. It put things in perspective, for sure. “That’s great, thanks.”
“Anyway, Kendall’s on board with the plan, so we’ll arrange to cancel on you last minute, and then Riley’s all yours,” Beck said. “Hopefully you can keep from messing things up too badly.”
“Oh, funny.” Noah didn’t laugh. “You don’t have to worry. I’ve got this. I just needed a little help with the execution.” Now that he had it, he didn’t intend to screw anything up.
Chapter Nine
Riley survived the twenty hour shift, as well as the usual shorter ones that followed, and looked forward to the much needed break on her day off. She’d committed to dinner with Noah, Kendall and Beck in the evening, but that still gave her the day to rest and try to catch up on sleep. She didn’t like living in a perpetual state of exhaustion. Knowing it wouldn’t last forever is what kept her moving forward, that along with the pride and sense of accomplishment she felt whenever one of her young patients was discharged from the hospital. Luis had been released the day before, his condition improved enough that he no longer needed to be hospitalized while he continued his course of medication. Riley would miss him, but was glad he recovered so well.
After spending the morning taking care of errands such as grocery shopping—she didn’t need to buy much because she was seldom home—Riley took a nap in the afternoon. She didn’t get very many nights out, and wanted to be able to enjoy this one without yawning through it. That wouldn’t make for a very fun date.
Riley was surprised Noah hadn’t bailed on her by now, given how hard it was to arrange time to spend together. Instead, he’d been very persistent, and Riley liked it. She questioned how compatible they truly were, since she didn’t know how to relax and he spent his afternoons playing miniature golf with goblins, but he was nice, attractive and fun to be with. Riley wanted to see things through another date or two to better get an idea whether they might have something here. Besides, Kendall and Lauren weren’t going to let her give up.
Riley had just woken up from her nap when Kendall called her. “What’s up?” she asked. “We’re still on for tonight, right?”
“You and Noah are for sure, but I’m afraid Beck and I have to cancel. Carter was supposed to have the kids tonight, but he had to go out of town for work, and there’s no way I can find a sitter with this short notice who’s prepared to handle Ali,” Kendall said. “Beck and I are just going to stay home with the kids and have movie night.”
“That sounds nice. Maybe Noah and I can come over, too.” Good going, Riley. Nothing like just inviting yourself over. She liked the idea of Beck and Kendall being around, though. It was probably silly, given that she’d already spent time alone with Noah and had a wonderful time.
“No, sorry, that won’t work,” Kendall said. “Perhaps some other time, but not tonight. You and Noah go out and have fun. You deserve it. I’ll talk to you in a few days.” Kendall hung up before she could protest further.
Riley pulled herself out of bed and wandered over to the closet. She hadn’t been nervous about the date before, but now that the dynamics had changed, the nerves kicked in.
When the phone rang again, she figured it had to be Noah, and she was right.
“You heard the news, I’m sure,” he said when she answered.
“About Kendall and Beck canceling? Yes.”
“I guess it’ll just be the two of us, then.”
“Mmm hmm.” Was it Riley’s imagination, or did Noah sound a tad nervous, too. “Unless you want to back out?”
“No way. That’s not happening,” Noah said. “It’s hard enough to arrange time to see you. I’m calling to see where you want to go, since the plans have changed. What kind of food do you like?”
“Oh, I like a variety. I’m not picky. You can choose.”
Noah let out a laugh. “You said that the last time.”
“Yeah, and you made a great choice. I’m fine with trusting you to do it again.”
“You’re definitely not one of those high maintenance types, are you?”
Riley wondered what Noah’s past experience might be the ‘high maintenance type.’ “I don’t think so, no. I just want to go out and enjoy myself tonight, since I don’t get very many opportunities to do that,” she said. “I’m fine with whatever you pick.”
“If you’re sure,” Noah said. “I got a recommendation for a place on the river walk that’s supposed to be excellent and romantic, too. I’ll see if I can get a reservation.”
So he’d been seeking out recommendations for romantic restaurants. Riley wasn’t sure how to take that. She was flattered, yes, but it also added to her nerves. “That sounds good.”
“Okay, six thirty like we planned? I’ll pick you up.”
Riley glanced at the clock. It would give her plenty of time to get ready. “That’s fine,” she said and gave him her address.
“Great. I’ll see you in a bit,” Noah said. “I’m looking forward to it.”
“Me too.” Riley hung up the phone and went back to the dilemma at hand. What to wear. Especially since now she knew that Noah was striving for romance. That upped the stakes for a woman who was used to wearing hospital scrubs. What had she gotten herself into?
***
It wasn’t easy getting a last minute reservation at Bella on the River, but Noah managed. He didn’t like to play the celebrity card, but his teammate, Seth Rollins, told him the manager was a hockey fan. It was how Seth had scored a late reservation for his wife’s birthday, and he insisted to Noah it was worth it.
Noah dressed in gray slacks and a blue shirt, opting to forego the tie and leave it open at the collar. He’d never liked ties, and he was expected to wear one when he arrived at the arena on game days. He didn’t want to wear one on his day off, too, no matter how special the occasion. Fortunately, Seth assured Noah that ties weren’t required at the restaurant.
He arrived a few minutes early at the address Riley gave him, which turned out to be a small house in a cul-de-sac neighborhood not far from the hospital where she worked.
He rang the bell, and when she answered, Noah sucked in a breath. She was gorgeous, no doubt about it, in a short, cocktail-style dress in a shimmering blue color that almost matched his shirt. “Whoa. You look amazing.”
“Thank you,” she said. “People might think we decided to match on
purpose.”
Noah chuckled. “Could be. I can live with that if you can.”
Riley smiled. “You don’t see me rushing to change, do you?”
“No, and I don’t want you to. You’re stunning.” Noah held out his hand. “Are you ready?”
“I want to grab a sweater to take along, in case it gets chilly later. I’ll be back in a minute.”
It proved to be less, and then Noah took her hand as he led her to his car, which was parked on the street. He opened the door for her, and since it was an SUV, helped her inside before going around to the driver’s side.
“It wasn’t easy, but I got us a table at Bella.”
“Good. I’m looking forward to trying it,” Riley said, then chuckled. “It’s got to be better than the hospital cafeteria.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I thought it was pretty tasty.” Noah gave her a wink.
The restaurant wasn’t a far drive, and sure enough, the hostess had a table ready. In fact, they were even given a choice of dining inside, or outside along the river.
Noah looked to Riley. “Your choice.”
“Hmm. I’m going to say inside, seeing as it is February. I hope that’s okay.”
“It’s fine. Maybe we’ll feel like a walk after we eat.”
They were escorted to a cozy, candle lit table, and right away, Noah liked the atmosphere. Once seated, he picked up the wine list. “Do you drink wine?” Noah realized he didn’t even know. They were still in that getting to know each other stage, and it wasn’t as if the comic convention or the cafeteria boasted an extensive wine list.
“Yes. Red or white.”
That was a relief. Noah passed the list to her. “Here, why don’t you choose? I feel like I’m making all the decisions. Get whatever you think sounds good,” he added, not wanting her to think twice about cost.
She settled on a Sauvignon Blanc that Noah had never tried before. When the sommelier brought it, they both found it to their liking. As they enjoyed the wine while they waited for their dinner, Riley told him Luis was released from the hospital.
Breaking the Ice (Men of the Ice, #7) Page 6
