The Forbidden Throb (Emma and Daniel) novel Chapter 65

ter 65

Daniel’s POV:

My hands were still steady as I stripped off my surgical gloves, the adrenaline from the emergency procedure beginning to ebb

Four hours of meticulous work -a complex mitral valve repair on a fifty-two-year-old woman who’d arrested in the ER.

The kind of case that demanded absolute precision, where a millimeter’s difference could mean the difference between recovery and permanent damage.

“Dr. Prescott.”

I turned to find Luke Richardson leaning against the scrub room doorway, still in his surgical cap, a wry smile playing at his lips.

We’d known each other since kindergarten at Phillips Academy, our families moving in the same Boston circles. If anyone could read my moods, it was Luke.

“That was impressive work in there,” he said, pushing off the doorframe. “Four hours straight. You must be exhausted.”

“I’m fine.” I moved to the sink, methodically washing my hands. “The patient’s vitals stabilized. That’s what matters.”

“Always the stoic one.” Luke’s tone shifted, becoming more conspiratorial. “Speaking of which, I’ve had approximately six nurses and two

residents cornering me in the last week, asking for your contact information.”

My hands stilled briefly under the running water. “And?”

“And I told them you have a girlfriend.” He crossed his arms, looking pleased with himself. “Bought you some time, at least. Though honestly, that excuse won’t hold up much longer. Unless you actually get yourself a girlfriend, which-” He laughed. “We both know the

chances of that.”

I dried my hands carefully, considering. “Just tell them I’m married.”

Luke scoffed. “Oh, that’s brilliant. Really creative, Daniel. Didn’t you try that one about three years ago? And it fell apart in, what, two

weeks.”

I folded the paper towel with deliberate precision, meeting his eyes in the mirror’s reflection. “Who said it’s an excuse?”

Luke’s smirk froze. “What?”

“Exactly what it sounds like.”

The silence that followed was profound. Luke’s expression shifted from amused skepticism to complete bewilderment. “Wait. You mean

1/4

Chapter 65

you’re actually

Married Ye

Daniel Luke’s voice dropped to that particular tone he used when he thought i was being deliberately obtuse

That’s not I mean, that’s completely unbelievable. You don’t just-

He stopped mid sentence, his expression shifting from incredulous to calculating.

His eyes narrowed as something clicked in his mind.

“Wait. Wait a second. He stepped closer, scrutinizing my face with the intensity he usually reserved for complex diagnoses. So those rumors about you walking through the hospital holding hands with a woman, both wearing wedding rings…”

His voice trailed off, realization dawning across his features. “That wasn’t just gossip, was it?”

“I explained,” I said mildly, rolling down my sleeves. “No one believed me.”

“Because you don’t date!” Luke’s voice rose slightly before he caught himself, glancing at the hallway.

“I will now.” I adjusted my cuffs with deliberate care. “In fact, I’ve submitted a request to reduce my surgical schedule. You’ll need to pick up the slack.”

Luke’s jaw went slack. “You- what?”

He pressed his palm against his forehead dramatically. “I’m sorry, have you been replaced by a pod person? Because the Daniel Prescott I know would rather give up breathing than reduce his caseload.”

“Priorities change.” I fastened my watch, the weight of both the platinum band and the wedding ring settling familiarly on my wrist. “I have other commitments now.”

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