ATHENA

"I''m sorry," Isabelle says slowly, blinking like she''s trying to process what I just told her. "Let me get this straight, you fell asleep after we left the party, and Alex carried you to his bed? Then he made you coffee and cinnamon buns?"

I nod, curling my hands tighter around the coffee cup I''ve barely sipped from.

She stares at me. "Was the coffee poisoned? Did you get food poisoning from the buns? Any hallucinations? Sudden urge to forgive the man who broke your heart and set your world on fire?"

Iugh.

"No hallucinations just yet. But who knows, maybe it takes a week."

"Why didn''t you say no." She asks, her face still in shock.

"I did. He insisted." I respond.

"Don''t let him fool you twice, Athena. That man doesn''t deserve you."

Iugh again.

Isabelle gives me a look. "I''m serious, Athena. Don''t let your guard down just because he smiled or made coffee. That man is a walking red g wrapped in a fitted suit and looks to die for."

"Don''t be dramatic." I mutter under my breath. "I know who he is better than anyone."

"I''m not being dramatic, I''m being realistic. What did he do after breakfast? Offer you a foot massage and apologize for emotionally scarring you?"

"Nope. I went about my way." I respond. Holding back the fact that I let him drive me after he insisted.

Why am I allowing him to do things for me?

Isabelle narrows her eyes at me like she can read every thought I''m trying to shove down.

"You let him drive you home too, didn''t you?" she echoes slowly. "Athena..."

"I didn''t ask him," I mutter, taking a sip of my now-lukewarm coffee. "He insisted. I was too tired to go back and forth with his stubborn self."

"Oh, how considerate of you," she deadpans. "Helping your ex maintain his fake good guy image. So noble."

"You know it''s not like that." I defend myself.

"Uh huh. Obviously, that speech got to you, didn''t it? I hate Alex, but damn, he did have my jaw on the floor after those words. But that doesn''t change the fact that you should stay away from that man. Focus on Zayan. He loves and cherishes you."

Before I can respond, Zayan''s voice cuts in with yful tease, and panick grabs my chest as I face Izzy.

I surely hope he didn''t hear that.

"HIdies." He smiles as he walks over, casually cing a kiss on my cheek.

Isabelle makes a noise between a groan and a scoff. "I''m leaving before I start choking on the romance fumes."

"We''re not-" I start to say, but she''s already waving us off and heading out of the cafe with a muttered excuse about reviewing patient files.

Zayan watches her go, then nces at me with a smile that''s just slightly mischievous.

"What were you talking about that has her running?"

"Nothing serious. Just girl stuff." I give him a smile, and he nods.

cing a kiss inside my palm.

"I''ve missed you." He says, and my heart stops.

"Zayan-"

"I know, don''t cross the line, dadadadda." He falls back in the chair with augh. How''s ER going?"

"Hectic. This is the first time I''ve caught a break in 48 hours. But noints, I love saving lives."

"You''re an angel. I''m just d that psycho is out of your hair and you can now live your life."

"Thank you for visiting the victims'' families with me. You''re the best. I definitely owe you dinner."

"Athena Dawson? Are you asking me out on a date?" He teases, making meugh.

I roll my eyes, grinning. "It''s not a date. It''s dinner. As a thank you."

Zayan leans in, his voice low as if he wants to tell me a secret.

"Can''t a thank you dinner turn into a date if the vibes are right?"

"Depends on the definition of vibes."

He raises a brow. "You tell me."

I open my mouth to reply, but nothinges out. My brain is scrambled. His smile

is warm, familiar. He makes me feel safe. But why am I always holding back?fn1 Official source is Find_Novel(./fn1

"If you y your cards right, it just might be a date."

His eyes light up, and my heart swells. I can see why he''s everyone''s favorite.

"My hopes are skyrocketing right now. Don''t let me crash." He holds his heart dramatically.

I''m about to shoot him a re when our phones ring at the same time.

We share a look as we swipe right to answer.

The moment I press the phone to my ear, I hearn''s voice.

"Dr. Dawson. I know you''re resting, but we have an emergency meeting right now.

Everyone needs to be present."

Zayan and I exchange startled nces.

"Emergency meeting?" We ask at the same time.

We both get up in sync, grabbing our bags and coffees forgotten on the table.

By the time we reach the 20th floor, several doctors and nurses are already gathered in therge ss conference room.

Murmurs buzz like static in the air. Some look worried. Others are confused.

I sure do fall on the fence of worry and confusion.

Zayan and I take our seats when the doors open, and the man we only hear about steps into the room.

Dr. Elias Quinn.

The man behind Quinns Medical Center. A legend. A ghost. A name more than a face.

He never shows up for staff meetings. He barely even walks the hospital halls. After his son took the position of director, he is rarely seen.

So this must be extremely serious.

I''ve only seen his face inn''s photos, but those eyes are not something I can forget.

He is standing with his hands behind his back, his eyes scanning every single person who walks in like he''s memorizing us. Then his eyes fall on me, and my heartbeat elerates.

"Thank you foring on such short notice," he says, his voice crisp but calm. "I understand most of you are either in the middle of shifts or justing off them. This couldn''t wait."

My fingers grip the back of a chair. I feel Zayan shift beside me.

“There''s been a breach," Dr. Quinn continues. "Patient records were essedst night. Uwfully."