Chapter 2

"I'm not saying you don't have a life, I'm saying that you and Vicki broke up months ago, and you really need to start putting yourself out there again. And one way to do that is to sign up for Match," Maggie said to Ethan.

"Maggie, I appreciate your concern, but I think I am perfectly capable of finding a date on my own and without the help of an online dating service," Ethan said as he picked up a chart.

"Ethan, look, you're smart and handsome. You have a good job. You'd be a catch for any girl. Why not give it a shot?"

"Because I like meeting people face to face, not through a computer."

He walked over to her and kissed her cheek. "But thank you for caring. I'm fine. Really."

"I just want what is best for you."

"I know. I appreciate it."

Ethan walked back to the locker room. He walked through the door, shaking his head.

"What's up?" Connor asked as Ethan entered.

"Maggie. She wants me to sign up for Match."

"Maggie just wants you to be happy."

"I know she does. She has good intentions. I just don't like online dating. It never works out."

"Never tried it."

"It sucks."

He wanted to change the subject. He knew Connor wouldn't push him about dating, and he was thankful that he wouldn't.

"So, how was Hawaii?"

"Paradise. It's definitely everything that people say it is."

Ethan chuckled. "I was TAD to Pearl. It's gorgeous."

"Cassie could live there very easily."

"I'm sure she could. So did she drag you to a luau?"

"Yes. And tried to teach me how to surf. And I asked her to marry me."

"And of course she said yes."

He nodded. "She did. No date yet, though."

"I'm sure Cassie will rope you into one soon enough."

Connor closed his locker door. "I'm sure she will. I'll need a best man. Are you up for it?"

"You want me to be your best man?" he asked, surprised.

"I do."

"I'd be honored, Connor."

"Thank you, Ethan."

Ethan walked down the hall to his apartment. The ER had been very busy and he was glad to be home. As he walked, he smelled heavenly cooking smells coming from one of the apartments. He stopped and breathed it in. For a few seconds, he found himself wishing he knew who lived there so he could try to score a dinner invitation. He started down the hall again, and stopped at his door. He unlocked it and stepped inside. As he did, he pulled his phone out of his pocket. He had put the phone number into his contact list earlier that day. He pushed the send button and waited for the call to connect.

"This is Dr. Miller," she said when she answered.

"Heidi. Ethan Choi. We met in the elevator this morning?"

She smiled. The sticky note she had slipped him that morning had worked.

"Dr. Choi, nice of you to call. How can I help you?"

"I wanted to call you earlier, but we were slammed. How about you?"

"Slow day. Hips and knees," she admitted.

He smiled. "Sounds like fun. So, listen, I know it's late, but I was wondering if you'd eaten yet?"

"Not yet."

"Would you like to grab some dinner?"

"I'd like to. I really would," she started.

"I hear a but in there."

"The but is, I have Moroccan chicken stew on the stove. But, I have plenty, so if you'd like to drop in, I'll feed you."

Ethan smiled. She cooked. It was hard to find women who cooked anymore. Especially with a schedule like she had. He was impressed.

"Fair enough. I'll bring wine and dessert. In about an hour?'

"Perfect. I'll see you then. Apartment 7."

"Great. I'll see you then. Thanks, Heidi."

"Anytime."

He ended the call and slipped his phone back into his pocket. He smiled again. He had just wrangled an invitation to dinner from the heavenly smelling apartment. "Yes!" he exclaimed as he fist pumped the air.