Flirting with Dr Off-Limits

He sighed. From that moment on his friendship with Katy had been pretty much over. She’d been cool at other family functions since then. Aloof, even.

Alec had shoved down his feelings of disappointment that she was no longer the Katy who’d thought he was great. Hell, after the mess he’d made of some things in his life, he shouldn’t expect anyone to feel that way.

Then he’d walked into the coding patient’s room and seen her, wrinkled, messy, and nervous. Beautifully messy and nervous, yes, but so much like the Katy he’d once known he hadn’t been able to help but want that old friendship back.

And just like the old Katy, in the midst of all the chaos she’d still shown what a brainiac she was. That she was good at figuring out what to do in any circumstances, despite being brand new at the art and science of doctoring.

Maybe it was absurd, pathetic even, but he wanted to see again the Katy who used to like and admire him, who had tolerated and even enjoyed his teasing.

Alec remembered well the feel of her lips against his. But a woman like her no doubt had so many boyfriends that a little kiss five years ago would have been completely forgotten.

CHAPTER TWO

AS ALEC STRODE down the hall, he could see the residents and interns waiting for him at the end of it, but his gaze stuck fast on Katy.

She’d changed into street clothes and a lab coat, and had obviously found a minute to brush her hair, which was no longer in a tangle but instead covered her shoulders in lustrous waves. He remembered that thick hair of hers always falling into her eyes and face as they’d studied things together, and he’d gotten into the habit of tucking its softness behind her ears so she’d been able to see whatever he and Nick had been showing her.

Her hands waving around as she spoke—another thing that was such a part of who she was—Katy was talking intently to the young man next to her, a frown creasing her brows, which made Alec smile. If he had to guess, she was regaling the other new intern with details about some condition or patient she was wondering about, because that brain of hers never rested.

“Good morning, everyone. I’m Dr. Alec Armstrong, as most of you know.” He forced his attention from Katy to look at the young man she was speaking with. “You must be Michael Coffman, one of our new interns. We’re glad you’re here. Please tell us about yourself.”

“I’m going into general surgery, planning to specialize in urology.”

“Excellent. Our other intern here is Katy Pappas.” He smiled at her, but she just gave a small nod in return. “Tell us about your intended specialty.”

“I’m going into family practice medicine. I really enjoyed working with all kinds of people during med school.” She looked at the group around her and her expression warmed. “Older folks and little ones and everybody in between. Figuring out what their medical problems are, when sometimes it can be a bit of a mystery, fascinates me. Knowing I’m helping individuals and families alike. I’m going to love doing that kind of work.”

She spoke fast, her blue eyes now sparkling with the enthusiasm he remembered from their childhood whenever she had been tackling a puzzle or been deep into a science project, and his own smile grew.

“I’m glad you’ve discovered your calling. Figuring that out is sometimes the hardest part of medical school.” He found himself wanting to keep looking at her, wanting to hear her speak and see her smile, but he made himself turn to the rest of the group.

“So let’s continue our introductions. This is our fifth-year surgical resident, Elizabeth Stark, who performed some of the surgeries on the patients we’ll see this morning. You met our second-year surgical resident, Todd Eiterman, this morning on work rounds.”

Alec finished the spiel he always gave new interns, hoping they actually listened. “Beyond the nuts and bolts of diagnosis and surgery I want to teach you how to talk to people, to ask questions and listen carefully to the answers, which is the only way to truly learn their histories. Conclude what you think the working diagnosis might be then order tests based on those conclusions.”

“Excuse me, Dr. Armstrong, but last month Dr. Hillenbrand said the opposite, so I’m confused,” Todd, the second-year resident, said with a frown. “I thought we were to order tests then, based on those tests, come up with a working diagnosis.”

“Technology is an amazing thing, Todd. But it can’t replace hands-on doctoring, which is the single most important thing I want you to learn on my rotation.” Alec studied the expressions on the faces before him. Smug understanding from Elizabeth, who’d heard it more times from him than she wanted to, he was sure, and also liked to play suck-up to the doctor evaluating her. Skepticism from Todd. Bewilderment and confusion from Michael. And avid concentration and focus from Katy’s big blue eyes, which made him wish he could pin a gold star on her before rounds had even begun.

The thought sent his gaze to the lapels of her coat and the V of smooth, golden skin showing above her silky blouse, and he quickly shifted his attention to Todd. She was his student, damn it. And perhaps someday again his friend. But thinking of her as a very attractive woman? An absolute no-no.

“We’ll be seeing patients who had surgery the past couple of days,” he continued, keeping his eyes off Katy. “But first we’ll see Mrs. Patterson, on whom tests were run yesterday. I know you’ve made your work rounds, so a lot of what I’m going to say will be a repeat of what you already know.”

Alec led the way toward Helen Patterson’s room with the group of students following behind. Katy was closest to him, and her light, fresh scent seemed to waft to him, around him, pleasing his nostrils so much he picked up the pace to put another foot or so between them.

What kind of doctor was distracted by someone’s sex appeal while in the middle of work? Not the kind of doctor he demanded he be, that was for sure. Not the kind of doctor he’d been at one time, long ago when he’d been younger and stupid.

“Dr. Pappas, will you tell me about this patient from your work rounds this morning?”

“This is Mrs. Helen Patterson, and she has been in a rehabilitation nursing facility for one week, post-op after surgery for a broken hip,” Katy said. “She was admitted here yesterday for abdominal pain and referred to the surgery service. She had low blood pressure and her lactate was elevated.”

Katy licked her lips nervously, and Alec yanked his gaze away from them. He tried to simply listen and not notice the serious blue of her eyes as she spoke. “We ordered a CT scan of her belly, and there was no evidence of perforation in the bowel or appendicitis. We observed her overnight, gave her IV fluids and pain meds and she has spontaneously improved. We’ve determined that she has a mild case of ischemic colitis. She had a normal breakfast, and her physical exam is normal, so she can be released today.”

Her expression was both pleased and slightly anxious, and Alec hoped he wouldn’t have to remind her about the low potassium he’d read about in Mrs. Patterson’s chart, and that the repeat potassium was still slightly low. “And?”

“And her potassium was low this morning, but I gave orders that brought it up.”

“Except that those orders were all wrong, Dr. Pappas,” Elizabeth said. She had on her usual superior smirk that Alec had tried, with limited success, to get her to tone down when talking to less-experienced students. “You gave her forty mils to drink, which is way too much to give orally. How did you expect someone to drink that amount? I can only imagine how nasty it tasted to poor Mrs. Patterson. No surprise that she vomited it up and had to be given some intravenously to replace it.”

Katy’s smile froze, and all color seeped from her face, then surged back to fill her light olive skin with a deep rose flush. “What …? I … Oh. Oh, no! I didn’t order forty mil. I ordered four ml!”

“Really?” Elizabeth raised her eyebrows. “Nurses sometimes mishear an order, but it’s still your responsibility—”

To Alec’s shock, Katy turned and tore into the patient’s room, and he quickly followed. What in the world was she doing?

She slid to the side of the patient’s bed and reached for the woman’s hand. Katy’s expression was the absolute picture of remorse. “Helen, I didn’t know it was my fault you got sick to your stomach this morning. I feel terrible! I guess the nurse misheard me and gave you way too much to drink. That’s why you vomited. I’m so, so sorry.”

Alec was torn between being impressed that she instantly took responsibility for what technically wasn’t her mistake, and concern that the patient might get angry and let loose on her. He stood next to Katy, placed his hand on her back to let her know he was there to support her. “It’s unfortunate that orders get confused sometimes, Mrs. Patterson. You’re feeling okay now, though, aren’t you?”

“Yes, it was just an upset stomach. Don’t be angry with dear, lovely Dr. Pappas, now. She’s such a good doctor. Everyone makes mistakes once in a while.”

Dear, lovely Dr. Pappas? Alec smiled in relief. Obviously, the woman liked Katy and wasn’t going to create a stink about the error. He glanced at the residents standing at the end of the bed and almost laughed at the variety of expressions on their faces. Michael was wide-eyed, Todd scowling, and Elizabeth fuming. Having been raked over the proverbial coals often during their training, the two more experienced doctors had obviously been hoping for the same for Katy.

“I’m glad you’re feeling better.” He looked at Katy and, luckily, she understood that he wanted her to stop holding the woman’s hand and stand next to him in a more professional manner.

“Helen, as you can see, I have some interns and residents here with me this morning. Is it all right if they stay while we talk?”

“Of course, that’s fine.”

“Thank you.” He proceeded to ask her questions and explain tests that were run, while palpating her abdomen and listening to her heart and lungs. In the midst of it she held up her hand and interrupted.

“Wait a minute.” Helen frowned at him. “First, why don’t you warm up that stethoscope before you press it on my skin, like Dr. Pappas always does? That thing is cold!” She shifted her attention to Katy. “And why is he asking me the same things you asked me already, dear? Don’t you two talk to each other?”

Katy laughed a little, and glanced at him with a smile in her eyes that felt like old times, making him smile, too. “It’s just how it’s done when we’re being taught by the attending physician, Helen. I know it’s kind of annoying but Dr. Armstrong is an amazing surgeon. I promise you’re in good hands.”

How absurd that her words, which were just to reassure the patient, made him almost feel like puffing up his chest just like the teen Alec who’d always appreciated her faith in him. Helen nodded and waved her hand. “Fine. Carry on.”

“I appreciate the endorsement, Dr. Pappas.” Alec could hear warmth creeping into his voice as he spoke and concentrated on cooling it. On sounding professional and impartial.

Katherine Pappas was his best friend’s little sister and his own student. He had to make sure no one thought they saw any kind of favoritism in the way he interacted with her.

The term “bone-tired” took on a whole new meaning after all-night call with minimal sleep followed by a long day of rounding and scut work. Katy thought she’d worked long and hard in med school, but that had been a veritable party compared to this.

As she stepped through the front door into Nick’s living room, he emerged from the kitchen. “Katy-Did, you’re finally home! You look beat.”

“Now, there’s a surprise. I’m sure I look every bit as hot, sweaty, and wrinkled as I feel.”

“Living hot, sweaty, and wrinkled is an intern’s existence pretty much. Sometimes it’s a general surgeon’s existence, too.” Nick grinned. “I knew you’d be exhausted, so I’m fixing dinner. You don’t have to do a thing.”

“Aw, you’re the sweetest big brother anyone could ever have.” She gave him a quick hug, hoping she didn’t smell too bad. “What are we eating?”

“Steaks from the grill, baked potatoes, veggies. To celebrate your first day, and because you probably need iron and protein after practically twenty-four hours of work. How did it go, rounding with Alec?”

“He’s a good teacher, of course. I’m sure I’ll learn a lot from him.” She dropped into a chair in Nick’s living room because she thought her legs just might give out if she was on her feet another minute. “But you know how I feel about him personally.”

“Katy.” Her brother’s smile faded. “Alec is a good guy, and I regret that I ever told you what happened. Yes, he went through a hellion stage when there was too much partying and too many of the wrong kinds of women in his life, but that was a long time ago. You need to cut him some slack.”

“Why? He’s not the person I thought he was. I’m allowed to be bothered by that, aren’t I?”

“You thought he was cool and smart and cared about other people. You liked him because he treated you great. And that’s exactly who he is, along with older and wiser than he was back then. Hell, I’m still working on the older and wiser part.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to be unpleasant or anything. I just don’t want to be friends with him again, that’s all.”

“Well, that’s too bad. Just remember he’s still my friend. And a partner in my practice.” He frowned at her for a moment then sighed. “You never really knew that Alec’s dad was always putting him down, and I think that’s part of why he acted out some back then. But for a long time now he’s worked hard to gain respect. It’s important to him. While he never did get it from his dad, he has it in spades from everyone here.”

“I’m sure he’s a good doctor, so of course people respect him.”

“It’s more than that, but I’m not going to waste my breath trying to convince you.” He turned toward the kitchen. “I’m going to get the steaks on the grill and play with the dogs out in the yard. I’ll let you know when it’s ready.”

He disappeared, and she stayed slumped in the chair, closing her eyes. Which made ignoring the mess of stuff she’d left lying around the room, still packed and unorganized, much easier. She knew she should work on it right now since Nick was being so sweet about letting her live with him for a while, but she also knew he was happy to let her rest a moment.

Much as he’d teased her over the years, Nick had been good to her, too. All six of the Pappas kids were, in fact, close, which Katy was more than thankful for. As an only child, she knew Alec had never had a sibling that he fought with sometimes but who also always had his back, and she knew that had been a big part of why he’d been at their house so much. Her mother had welcomed him, and her dad had adored and mentored him.

Which was why learning of his unethical and distasteful behavior had cut Katy to her very core. Not only that, Alec’s parents had shoved what he’d done under a rug then wrapped it up with a nice tidy bow while someone else had paid the price.

Ah, who was she kidding? It hadn’t been just his mistake and the aftermath that remained stuck as a sharp barb in her soul. It was that he’d done it all practically right after she’d boldly kissed him and he’d pushed her away. Told her it wouldn’t be “appropriate.” Which obviously had just been another way of saying, I think of you as a little sister, not a woman, since “appropriate” clearly hadn’t entered his mind before the scandal.

Her chest burned in embarrassment and disgust but at the same time she couldn’t deny that the man was an impressive doctor and teacher. And, yes, even more ridiculously good looking than he’d been years ago. Today, in Mrs. Patterson’s room, as they’d smiled together at the woman’s comments, she had to admit it had felt nice. A little like old times, and thoughts of his past had momentarily faded from her brain until she’d sternly reminded herself.

She was smart enough to take advantage of his intelligence and experience and learn what she could from him, just as she had long ago. But as far as a friendship happening between them again? Never.

The doorbell rang and, still collapsed in the chair, she nearly groaned. The last thing she wanted to do was talk to anyone. Maybe if she ignored it, whoever it was would go away.

The bell rang again and with a resigned sigh she shoved herself from the chair and forced herself to open the door.

To her shock, Alec stood there, looking annoyingly handsome in jeans and a yellow polo shirt that showed off his broad shoulders. Sunglasses covered his eyes. The evening sun gleamed in his dark hair and his admittedly attractive lips were curved in a smile that no doubt had women flocking around him like seagulls. And yet again she looked like she’d been through the heavy-duty wash cycle and hung out to dry.

What was Alec doing here?

“Hello, Dr. Armstrong. What can I do for you?”

His dark eyebrows rose as he slipped off his sunglasses. “Oh, so formal. What happened to the old ‘Hi Alec, come on in’ you used to greet me with?”

How was she supposed to answer that? She wanted to say that had been back when she’d been young and naive and worn rose-colored glasses, but there was no point in going there. “I wasn’t sure if I should call you Alec, as you’re an attending and I’m a student.”

“It’s fine for you to call me Alec when we’re not in the hospital. Unless you particularly like guys in scrubs and want to call me ‘Doctor.’” The teasing grin he gave her was downright dazzling, and she turned away from its power, opening the door fully as she doubted he’d stopped by just to say hello then leave.

“Funny. Though perhaps you’re saying that because I know that you particularly like women in scrubs. Or, even more, in nothing at all.”

Crap, had she actually just said that? Her cheeks burned and she couldn’t figure out what part of the room to focus on, because she sure as heck wasn’t going to look at him now. She quickly walked over to the pile of stuff she’d pulled out of a box and left on the sofa yesterday.

“Katy Pappas, I’m shocked that you—”

“Sorry the place is a bit of a mess,” she interrupted, the deeply amused rumble of his voice making her blush all over again. She did not want to hear whatever he’d been about to say in response to her extremely ill-advised comment. She grabbed up her things and shoved them back in the box. “I haven’t had time to put away all my stuff yet.”

“Don’t worry, I saw the housekeeping police are busy a few blocks away. I think you’re safe until tomorrow.”

His voice still held laughter and she focused on the box. Not. Going. To look at him. “As you can see, I haven’t had a chance to change my clothes. Excuse me while—”

Excited woofs drowned out her words as Nick’s two yellow Labrador retrievers bounded through the house to greet Alec, slamming against Katy and nearly knocking her off her feet. “Whoa!” she yelped, her tired legs not quite balancing the way they should. Before she tumbled to the floor Alec lunged to grab her and hold her upright, flattening her tight against him.

Her hands slapped up against his muscular shoulders as the feel of his firm chest against her breasts, his strong arms around her sent her breathing haywire. Their eyes met, and the grin faded from his, replaced by what looked like a slightly confused frown.

The seconds ticked by and both stood motionless, oddly frozen, until Katy grabbed what wits she had left. She pushed against his shoulders and stepped back as his arms dropped to his sides, but their gazes remained locked. The tingling of her nerves and the imprint of his body that she could still feel against her own must be some sort of “muscle memory” thing, from the years she’d written in her journal about how much she wanted to be held close by Alec.

“I see you still have a little clumsiness problem.”

Her gaze moved from the oddly disturbing eye contact to his lips, which disturbed her in a different way. She looked down at the dogs for a distraction. “I don’t think being knocked into by these crazy pups of his makes me clumsy,” she said, hoping she didn’t sound as breathless as she felt. The dogs wagged their tails and rubbed against her for attention, leaving dog hair all over her black skirt. As if she wasn’t already enough of a mess. “Nick can’t have much company—they’ve acted like this every time someone comes to the door. If they hadn’t been outside, we would have been mauled the second you came in.”

“They’re still young and rambunctious.” He looked oddly serious, considering his teasing of just a moment ago. “And in case you don’t remember, your dogs pretty much all acted this way at your family’s house. I remember your mutt, Buddy, chewing up one of my shoes that I’d left at the door.”

She looked up at him as she scratched the dogs’ heads. “You had to put up with a lot at our house, didn’t you? Utter chaos, with six crazy kids and badly behaved dogs.”

“I think the term would be bedlam.” The smile was back on his face, and why she was pleased to see it again she wasn’t sure. “But I enjoyed every minute of the time I spent with Nick. And you. And the rest of your family, of course.”

“You two sitting out there, socializing, with your feet up?” Nick’s voice called from the kitchen. “Katy has the night off, but you don’t, Alec. I need a hand here.”

“Coming in a sec. Just realized I left the wine I brought in the car.” His index finger reached out to give her nose a gentle flick, a soft stroke from between her brows to its tip as he’d done more times than she could possibly count, but the expression in his eyes seemed different than in the past. Hotter, more intimate, somehow, and her heart stupidly sped up in response.

Thankfully, he turned and went back out the door, and Katy sucked in a breath. She would not allow her old, youthful crush to muscle its way in and crowd out her older, smarter self. No way, no how.

She moved toward the kitchen, resolutely passing by the hallway to her bedroom with barely a longing glance. She hadn’t planned to do anything more than wash her hands for dinner and refused to give in to her sudden urge to clean up a little and change her clothes. Maybe it would even be a good thing, she thought as she shook her head at herself, if Alec noticed she didn’t exactly smell perfume fresh.

“Why didn’t you tell me you’d invited Alec for dinner?” she asked Nick in a whisper, even though she hadn’t heard the man come back into the house.

“Because he’s my best friend, and I didn’t realize until tonight that you still felt such animosity toward him.” Her brother glanced at her before he turned his attention back to the dinner. “Which I frankly hope you’ll get over.”

“No animosity. As I told you, I just don’t want to be friends with him anymore.” And her darned shortness of breath and flippity heart and awareness of his hunkiness quotient was far different from feelings of friendship anyway, dang it. Which made it even more important that they not be together anywhere but at work until her smart brain prevailed over her not-so-smart one. “But obviously, since he’s my instructor for the month, I’m perfectly fine with spending work time with him. I just would’ve appreciated a heads-up.”

“Okay. Hey, Katy-Did.” Nick turned to her, the evil big-brother smile on his face she was more than used to. “Alec’s coming over for dinner.”

She rolled her eyes. “Thanks for telling me. If I’d known it wasn’t just the two of us, I wouldn’t have dressed up in my nicest clothes.”

As Nick chuckled in response, Alec’s voice filled the kitchen, followed by his tall, broad form. “You look good in whatever you’re wearing, Katy.”

She looked up at his eyes that were all golden and warm again, accompanied by a beautiful smile that seemed absurdly sincere, since she knew she couldn’t look much more of a wreck if she tried. Why did the darned man have to have the kind of charm that made it all too easy to overlook his not-charming characteristics?