Chapter 7
"Do you even listen to yourself?" Robin glared at Patrick as they made their way to the nurse's station.
"Of course I do." Patrick winked at her. "I happen to love the sound of my voice – I've got that smooth, sexy tone…"
"That apparently works on a lot of women but not me." Robin slammed the patient's chart on the hub. "We need to hold off on surgery for at least another two weeks."
Epiphany took a moment to glare at the two. "Do you mind taking your anger out on Dr. Drake and not my station?"
A sheepish look crossed Robin's face. "Sorry Epiphany."
Patrick smirked at the older nurse. "Yes, I'm afraid I bring out Dr. Soltini's color when we are discussing patient care."
Epiphany rolled her eyes before turning back to her computer and finishing her work. Robin had been working at the hospital for the last month and watching her with Patrick had definitely raised the entertainment level at the hospital. When the two of them weren't flirting, they were arguing over patient care. She had no idea where Dr. Soltini came from but she had Patrick tied in knots and it was obvious that he did the same to her. "Well please keep your color out of my work space. Some of us are trying to work."
Robin looked at her watch and shook her head. "Look, I've got to get going but do not speak to Mr. McDermott again until you have a chance to go over the protocol I am discussing in detail. I really think that we may be able to shrink the tumor to the point that a nasal entry might be possible. I spoke with Dr. Basal and…
"What are you doing talking to him?" Patrick was trying not to sound jealous but he really wasn't doing a good job. "He's our patient and Basal is in ENT."
"And we needed the consult." Robin sighed. "I know you don't play well with others so I decided to vet the doctor and see if I should arrange a play date." She swore at times he was worse than Rylee. "I really have to get going – I have a consult in 10 minutes."
"Consult with who?" Patrick had made it clear to Alan that, as Chief of Neurology, he would have the brilliant researcher as his partner there at the hospital. Alan had not been happy with Patrick monopolizing Robin at first but their collaboration was proving to be very good for the hospital.
Robin laughed at him. "Jealous Dr. Drake?"
Patrick smirked at her. "I don't do jealous."
"Sure you don't." Robin winked at him and turned to leave. "I will be back in the office in the morning. Have a good night Patrick."
Patrick was so distracted by the way Robin's hips swayed as she walked away that he almost forgot she hadn't answered his question. "Robin, who are you consulting with?"
Robin turned back around and smiled. "Good night Dr. Drake."
"Thank you so much for doing this." Matt handed Robin the folder as they ate dinner. "Sorry it had to be after hours but…"
"But your brother tends to monopolize my time at the hospital – I know." Robin shook her head. "Patrick needs to learn to share. Besides, Maxie makes a great lasagna."
"Thank you." Maxie handed Robin the bread basket. "I learned from the best."
"Mac's lasagna is legendary." Robin agreed. She took a sip of her wine and then reviewed the file. "I agree with your course of treatment but I would suggest slowing the increase in dosage by .25 milligrams per day."
Robin handed the file back to Matt who smiled at her. "No wonder Patrick wants you all to himself."
"Yeah, word around the hospital has it that he has been seriously off his game since you blew into town." Maxie took a sip of wine and ignored the glare her cousin shot her. "Apparently you two are the talk of the hospital."
Robin was confused. "Why are we the talk of the hospital?"
"Please Robin – you can pretend with everyone else but not me." Maxie winked at her boyfriend. "You and Patrick need to just drop all the pretenses and get together. You two obviously are attracted to each other and you haven't seen anyone since Roger died. It's been six years Robin – you are allowed to be with someone again."
"Patrick doesn't…"
Matt jumped in. "Yes, he does. Do you know that he hasn't had a single date since you came to town?"
"Really?" Maxie and Matt both noticed that a note of hope had managed to creep into Robin's voice.
Matt nodded. "Really. Patrick texted me wanting to know where you were going and who you were meeting with."
The hope disappeared. "Of course he did. He knew I was going to meet another doctor for a consult and he wants to make sure I am free to be on his surgical team at his beck and call."
"I don't think…"
They were interrupted by a pounding coming from the front door. "Matt!"
"Coming Patrick." Matt stood up, making his way from the kitchen through the living room to the front door.
Patrick came storming through the door before Matt even had it halfway open. "What the hell kind of text was that?" He pulled out his phone and read it his brother. "Robin is going to have dinner with a handsome doctor at his home! Who the hell is this doctor?"
Maxie bit her lip to keep from laughing while Robin's mouth dropped open. They both got up and walked over to the kitchen door so they could hear the brothers better.
Patrick began pacing the floor. "Answer me Matt – who the hell is this doctor and what is he doing with Robin?"
