Dr. Heartless, a short short story Read Online Free

ruefully.  “Dr. Mason, our soft-hearted resident.  Surprised that Dr. Heartless actually has feelings?”
    She stared at him openmouthed.  “You know what we — what they all call you?”
    He shrugged and his smile widened.
    For Caroline, it was like the sun appearing from behind a cloud.  If she’d thought before that he was the most handsome man she’d ever seen, oh baby, look at him now.  Her pulse raced and she longed for nothing more than to put her arms around him and tell him everything was going to be fine.
    “Well?” he said, his smile fading into a frown.
    “Well what?”
    “Are you surprised?”
    She considered his question, then shook her head.  “That you have feelings?  No, not at all.”  As she said the words, she realized just how true they were.  Now she knew she hadn’t imagined the glimmer of compassion she’d seen in his eyes.
    His mouth quirked up again and his gaze traced her features like a caress.  Her heart melted and other parts of her woke to urgent, breathless life.
    “Can I bribe you to keep my secret?” he asked.  “Maybe with -- wait.”  He caught himself. “You are rotating off my service today aren’t you?”
    Caroline’s heart jumped into her throat.  “Yes I am.  Why?”  She hoped she knew the answer, but once again she found herself cringing inside as she waited to hear what he was going to say.
    “Because it’s not a good idea for senior staff and residents to date.”
    “Date?”  She felt a quiver of anticipation run through her.  “I thought you mentioned a bribe to keep your secret.”
    “Ah yes,” he said, his eyes twinkling.  “What about dinner tonight.”
    She laughed with sheer joy.  “What about dinner once a week for a month,” she countered mischievously.  “And then I’ll decide.”
    His mouth widened into a grin.  “Now you sound like the heartless one.”
    She shook her head, thinking of his earlier words.  “Nope, I’m not heartless.  Just determined.”
     
    The End