The Cold Surgeon's Contract Bride novel Chapter 44

My guess was right. Zoey had definitely seen my caller ID.

And she had seen the contact name I used for Ferris.

She simply couldn't hide her thoughts, unable to resist poking around out of curiosity.

"I'm sorry, Selena. I... I shouldn't have asked," Zoey said, looking flustered and nervous. "I just..."

Seeing her flushed face and listening to her stuttering apology, I couldn't help but feel a little bad for her. "He's not," I replied.

Zoey looked at me blankly. I met her gaze and stated calmly, "He's not my boyfriend."

I wasn't lying. Strictly speaking, Ferris was my legally wedded husband and the partner on my prenuptial agreement.

He didn't fit the definition of a boyfriend.

I thought that explanation would be enough to appease her, but a second later, she asked curiously, "With such a sweet nickname, he definitely can't be just a normal friend, right?"

A sudden headache crept up on me. I had to invent a quick excuse. "I lost a bet at a dinner party a while ago and had to change it. I just forgot to change it back."

As soon as the words left my mouth, the relief on her face was practically palpable. She immediately reverted to her sweet, bubbly self. "I'm so sorry, Selena. I talk too much. Please don't hold it against me."

"Not at all. I should be thanking you for getting my things back."

A hint of shyness washed over Zoey's face. "It was nothing."

Her expressions were incredibly vivid. Whether it was nervousness, concern, or her current obvious joy, it was all written clearly on her face. Paired with her shallow dimples, it was very hard to stay mad at her.

Just as I was trying to find an excuse to leave, Zelda's loud voice suddenly boomed in my ear. "Wow, if it isn't Dr. Hayes? Looking for Dr. Lennox so early?"

Mentioning Leon reminded me of the other missed calls on my phone. Then I heard Zelda add, "Dr. Lennox is doing rounds in the inpatient department this morning."

Meeting Zelda's gossipy stare, I felt completely awkward.

"Zelda, she's here looking for me," Zoey tugged at Zelda's arm, covering for me.

Zelda looked enlightened. "Oh, sorry about that, Dr. Hayes. My big mouth."

I didn't take it to heart. I nodded an acknowledgment and turned to leave.

I was slightly surprised. When I stepped out into the hallway, I spotted Leon in his white coat, standing off to the side.

He was a bit broader than Ferris, but his features were strikingly handsome—fair skin, a straight nose, deep-set eyes, and a sharp jawline when he wasn't smiling.

Paired with his gentle, scholarly aura, he easily fit the definition of charming.

Plus, everyone loved him.

"Dr. Hayes." Leon saw me and closed the distance in a few quick strides. "Sorry, I was busy this morning and missed your call."

He had actually come all the way down here for that.

"I'm the one who should be apologizing," I said, utterly ashamed as I recalled last night. "I owe you one, Dr. Lennox. Dinner is on me next time."

Leon paused slightly, flashing a soft smile as he glanced at me. "We're friends. No need to be so polite."

He was far too generous; he hadn't held my mess against me at all.

I was just about to apologize again when he joked lightly, "But if you absolutely insist on buying me a meal, there's no time like the present."