The Blush Factor by Deborah Bladon

Chapter Twenty-Two

Matthew

Dr. Gavin Fullershoots me a look as he fields Faith’s questions about what life as an ER doctor is really like.

I know what he’s thinking.

Why the fuck are you hanging out with a pink-haired college student, Hawthorne?

I’ve asked myself that same question dozens of times since I found said pink-haired student’s diary, by why question fate? Why question anything when you feel more alive than you’ve felt in years?

Seeing the exuberance on Faith’s face when I introduced her to Gavin was worth the twenty minutes we spent waiting for him.

We stood in the ER waiting room because that’s where the charge nurse at the admission desk directed us.

I tried to charm her with my winning smile, but she winked at me and told me to move the hell out of the way.

I’m trying to stay out of the way now too, since Faith is driving this conversation or inquisition with a host of questions about what her future might look like.

She stares at Gavin, and he smiles at her.

Fuck him and his thick black hair, green eyes, and that stubble on his jaw.

He looks like a leading man in a medical drama that dishes out a heartbreaking diagnosis to a patient before he screws the female doctor that he argues with non-stop. Unsurprisingly, those doctors always seem to find a cure before the hour is over.

If life mirrored that, I would have considered taking the path Gavin did instead of treating pet patients.

Gavin lifts his chin toward me. “How did you two meet?”

“We live across the hall from each other,” Faith handles the question, answering it with ease. “One of Dr. Hawthorne’s friends is a professor of mine.”

Gavin contemplates that with a narrowing of his eyes. “Let me guess. The professor is Erin Stein.”

Faith’s hand leaps to cover his forearm. The material of his lab coat separates their skin but still…it’s sending my pulse in the wrong direction.

I lean back in the uncomfortable plastic chair I’m sitting in and cross my arms. I’m not a jealous guy, yet here I am, wishing she were as enthralled with me in this moment as she is with him.

“It is Professor Stein.” Faith’s gaze volleys from Gavin’s face to mine. “You wouldn’t happen to know Dr. Sadie Reynolds too, would you?”

It’s fucking adorable that she thinks every medical professional in a city as vast as New York knows each other.

I look to Gavin to let her down easy, but his eyes are glued to her.

“I do,” he says with a million dollar smile. “I met Sadie years ago. She’s one of the best.”

That’s another point for the guy I challenged at every turn in college. Gavin and I met during freshmen year. Although work has kept our contact to a minimum the past few years, we’ve always kept in touch.

“She really is,” Faith agrees with a bob of her head. “Maybe one day, I’ll end up working here with you.”

Gavin cocks one dark brow. “You never know what life has in store for you.”

I catch his eye again and send him a look that I hope to hell screams, back the hell off.

He pushes back from the table, even though his coffee cup is still half full. “I need to get back. It was good to meet you, Faith. Matthew, a word.”

Matthew, a word?

What the fuck is that?

I slide to my feet, offering a soft brush of my hand over Faith’s shoulder. “Sit tight. I’ll be right back.”

She glances up at me. “Will do.”

I follow Gavin out of the crowded cafeteria to a corridor that is teeming with people. He ignores them all to turn his attention squarely on me. “What’s going on?”

I pat his jaw. “You need a shave.”

He pats my cheek but harder. “I see you’re still helping out anyone and everyone.”

I’m no martyr, but if someone needs a helping hand, I’ve got two.

I don’t steer him away from his assumption that I’m acting as a guidance counselor of sorts to Faith. I want to guide her, but that’s down to her knees before I feed my cock to her.

I’ll let Gavin believe I’m only invested in her career because anything else is none of his fucking business.

“I do what I can.” I wink. “Thanks for making time to talk to her.”

He glances back in the direction of the cafeteria, but there’s a wall separating us from Faith now. “She’s got the drive. I hope she understands how much sacrifice it takes to land a job as shitty as this.”

“Good of you to hold that in until now, Gav.” I laugh. “I think she has a clear idea of what’s ahead of her.”

He pats my shoulder. “How’s the family?”

“They’re great,” I offer. “Bianca’s feeling good. Roman’s anxious to meet his son. Callum is work-obsessed as usual, and…”

“Delia,” he interrupts. “I saw her the other day as I was getting on the subway. She grew up.”

I laugh. “It’s been how long since you’ve seen her?”

“Years.” He glances at his watch.

“Did you talk to her?”

“I was already on the train when I saw her on the platform.” He scrubs the back of his neck with his hand. “Maybe fate will step in and put us in the same place at the same time again.”

“Maybe,” I say absentmindedly because I want to get back to Faith. “Thanks again for meeting with us.”

“Anytime.” He gestures behind me. “I need to run. Take care of yourself.”