I'm stuck in the hospital for two days, and Emmett decides I suck at resting when people are visiting, so I'm mostly left alone. He tells our family they'll see me once I'm doing better but stops in to see me here and there while he's working. At least, I'm in his hospital and not in Forks.

There's a knock on my door the morning of day two, and Edward walks in, wearing his lab coat over jeans and yet another flannel shirt. I like the lumberjack look the best and wonder if ninety-percent of his wardrobe consists of flannels.

Possibly.

"Good morning, sweetheart," he says, coming over and taking my wrist in his hand. "How do you feel?"

My right arm is in a sling, and I haven't moved it much because of how sore it gets. "Not bad. I'm ready to go home to my cat."

He smirks, chuckling softly. "I think we can arrange that today. I want to take a look at the sutures and give you a good once over."

You can give me a twice over, buddy. Without your clothes.

Fuck, I'm horny. I almost died a few days ago, but he's all that's in my mind. I'm obsessed with my doctor, but … if I die, at least, I got to look at someone pretty while doing it.

He unsnaps my gown, lowering it just enough to keep my breasts covered, and then dons gloves before uncovering the wounds. He says they look good and puts new dressings on while I enjoy his touch.

I'm sick in the head—not just the heart.

Instead of leaving after examining me, he pulls a chair over and sits beside me. "I was so worried when you went into A-Fib," he says, concern etched in his gaze as our eyes meet. "Try not to do that to me again, all right? I'm not losing you."

That's so not what your average doctor would say, and I idly wonder if he's maybe thinking of me how I think of him. Unlikely. I mean, he's a professional, and it's definitely against the rules, but I can't help but wonder.

"Can I ask you some questions?"

He nods, smiling softly. "Anything, sweetheart."

"How would coffee have gone if I weren't sick and you weren't my doctor?"

He sighs, scrubbing a hand along his bearded jaw. "Well, I'd have asked about your hobbies first."

"Baking," I laugh.

"I know that now." He chuckles.

"What else?" I'm playing a dangerous game.

"I'd have told you how beautiful you are, and if it went well, eventually, I'd have asked you to dinner. But …" He sighs. "I'm not technically allowed to do that—as a date. But I suppose nothing is stopping me from taking a friend to dinner. Or even cooking for her."

My lips curl. "You'd cook for me?"

He nods. "It's not my best skill, but I can hold my own in the kitchen. What would you want?"

"Hmm … maybe a pasta dish? But with Alfredo, not red sauce. I'm not a fan of tomatoes."

"And I know you like steak, so maybe steak Gorgonzola over fettuccine Alfredo?"

I salivate at the thought. "I would like that very much."

He grins, and I'm still blown away by how gorgeous he is when he does it. "Okay. How about Friday? I'll pick you up."

"Just friends having dinner?"

He nods. "Just a normal, friendly dinner—two people getting to know each other."

I bite my lip, wishing it were more but taking what I can get. "Sounds perfect to me."

This is going to hurt, but I'll take the pain if it gives me time with Dr. Lumberjack.


Thanks to May, Nole, Fran, Brier, and Meg for prereading and Sally for Beta'ing.

Holy crap, you guys! I'm shocked this hit 1,000 reviews and can't thank you all enough for reading.