The Fifth Surgeon by Faith Prize

The Fifth Surgeon by Faith Prize

Author:Faith Prize
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ylva Publishing
Published: 2021-06-17T17:28:12+00:00


Chapter 16

The Imperfect Male

Ashley swung by the physicians’ lounge on the way to her upcoming surgery. Dan was assisting her today, and she was in no hurry to see the usual hurt mixed with a glimmer of hope whenever he looked at her.

The lounge was almost empty at this hour—seven a.m. At this time, doctors were usually getting ready to or were already rounding on their patients. A rich aroma of coffee flooded her senses. Her mouth watered, and she swallowed enviously. Indulging in a second cup just before a four-hour surgery with nowhere to go wasn’t a sound idea. She reluctantly looked away from the coffee machine and saw Pari at a computer station talking to Jason. They must be discussing their first case for the day. Ashley approached them.

“Come on, Dr. Singh,” Jason pleaded. “Let me start the case. You let Nadia do so much more than me. It’s embarrassing. She’s a year behind me.”

Pari didn’t look away from the computer screen. “Keating knows what she’s doing. You don’t.”

Jason huffed. “She certainly thinks she does. That’s why she acts like a royal bitch all the time.”

The words scorched Ashley’s ears. “If I ever hear you say anything like that again, you’ll be out of this hospital for good,” she told Jason, unaccustomed rage pounding in her heart.

Jason turned to face her, startled. His expression told Ashley she had used the appropriate tone for the occasion.

“Dr. Rylan, I didn’t realize you were—”

“Never talk about a colleague like that again. Is that understood?”

Jason nodded, mortified.

Pari turned in her chair. “Jason, go prep the patient. I’ll assist and you can open. Go.”

Jason scrambled out of his chair and out the door.

Ashley narrowed her eyes at Pari. “You reward his behavior?”

Pari stared at her blankly. “What’s gotten into you?”

“Nothing,” Ashley snapped. She flopped down in the chair that Jason had vacated, crossing her arms across her chest. “I just hate it when people are mean.”

Pari snorted. “Then why are you defending the meanest of them all?”

“You think Nadezhda deserves it?” Ashley frowned. “I thought you liked her.”

“I like Keating just fine. But even on a good day, she comes off as bitchy at best.”

“She isn’t,” Ashley protested. “Just because she hides her feelings better than the rest of us doesn’t mean they aren’t there.”

Pari tilted her head to an inquisitive angle. “Why are you Team Keating all of a sudden?”

“I’m not.” Ashley scrambled to recover. “You told me to give her a chance, remember? I agree with you—she’s extraordinary.” Her cheeks got warm. “Extraordinary to work with.”

Pari stood up. “I have to go make sure we still have a case. Jason’s bedside manner leaves much to be desired.” But instead of leaving, she turned back to Ashley. “By the way, what was the name of the woman you met online?”

“Why?” Alarms went off in Ashley’s head.

Pari grinned ear to ear. “No reason. I’ll catch you later.”

* * *

Nadia’s heart pounded, but no matter how much anxiety she felt this morning, she was determined to tell Ashley everything.



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