Sorry that this chapter is kinda short. I prefer to write shorter chapters more frequently. A special thanks to all who reviewed! I wasn't going to continue this fic because I didn't think anyone would like the storyline but when I read that people were actually enjoying it, I thought what the hell! I'm so happy that you guys are liking the fic. Pricestein/Prepstein is terribly under-represented in FF.
This chapter takes place the night before the surgery. Dov just got home after requesting the day off from Oliver.
The night before the surgery, Dov swallowed his pride and called Nick.
"Collins."
"Hey Nick, it's Dov."
"Dov?" Nick said, surprised. "What do you need?"
"I know you've been close with Chloe and I was wondering if you know what time her surgery is scheduled for tomorrow," Dov asked.
Nick paused for a second. Friendship wasn't really Nick's thing. But over the past few months, he and Price had gotten surprisingly close, well close for Nick; he drove her to work, she would bring him coffee, and occasionally he'd steer drunks away from her at The Penny. Chloe was an open book, she talked about Dov all the time during their morning commutes to work. She would try to play it casual and act like the break-up didn't impact her, but Nick could see the glow that had faded from Chloe Price's sunshine. He wasn't angry at Dov, it wasn't really his place to be, but still he didn't like the idea of Dov messing with Chloe's emotions again.
"Why do you want to know?" He asked Dov.
Dov sighed. "I want to be there for her. Maybe talk her out of the surgery, if I can."
"You know it's not really my place, but Chloe has been doing pretty good without you," Nick said. "She's gotten to a better place. So I'm going to tell you this once, Epstein. If you really care about Chloe, then you better commit this time. Don't freeze her out again. I don't think she can take it."
Dov ran a hand over his face. The breakup hadn't been easy on him either. He missed Chloe terribly. He missed making dinner with her, seeing the way she would smile when he whispered in her ear and even listening to her crazy rants when she drank too much espresso in the morning. Dov did care about Chloe. There was no doubt about it. His heart ached, he loved her so much. But his trust was a hard thing to earn and an even harder thing to regain. Although, after everything they went through, he felt that Chloe deserved another chance.
"I just want what's best for Chloe. I love her." Dov replied simply.
That was all Nick needed to hear. "Okay. I'm supposed to pick her up at 7 before shift and drop her off at the hospital. So, I think the surgery is scheduled for 9."
"Let me do it." Dov replied quickly. "Let me drive her to the hospital."
"Are you sure?" Nick asked. "Cause Price asked me to drive her."
"Trust me. Like I said. I only want what's best for Chloe. I don't want her to rush into this. Please, Collins." Dov pleaded.
Nick reluctantly agreed on the promise that Dov would still take Chloe if she insisted on having the surgery.
After the phone call to Nick, Dov climbed into bed and grabbed his laptop. In the search bar, he typed blood clot removal, risks.
I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! I really love Chloe and Nick's relationship. Even though Nick acts like he's irritated with Chloe half the time, I think that he genuinely cares about her and that, since the breakup, he and Chloe grew a lot closer. I like to picture Nick, completely behind Chloe's back, preventing drunks from making passes at her. He was the only one who would be friends with Chloe after her and Dov's breakup. I just think that there is something so special about that. :)