You Wanted Space! We’re Done, Dr. Whitmore Chapter 04

You Wanted Space! We’re Done, Dr. Whitmore Chapter 04

“Book Evelyn a room at Grandview.”

I held the door open. For him.

Then I turned back to the bedroom. Flipped open my suitcase. Started yanking clothes off the hangers.

Adrian didn’t move.

He didn’t like this reaction.

He snatched my wrist.

“She’s an adult. She can book her own room. What are you packing for? Where the hell are you going?”

I yanked my arm free.

Shot back,

“Don’t you have your own things to focus on? Why are you always tracking my schedule?”

Adrian froze.

The words hit him like a slap. He recognized them.

Silence thickened between us.

Then his voice lowered.

“The medical conference trip. Not telling you ahead of time. That was on me.”

“I’ll keep you posted from now on.”

“I have to go to the school tomorrow. Evelyn’s fight with her roommate escalated. Her academic advisor wants to meet the parents. Hers couldn’t make it, so I’m going.”

“Reschedule your procedure for the day after. I’ll be there.”

I just listened.

Excuses. That’s all they were.

In Adrian’s priorities, I didn’t even make the list.

“No.”

“You being there. Not being there. Same thing.”

Adrian’s jaw tightened. He thought I just didn’t understand how much he could help.

He laid it out slowly. Like I was a child who needed things spelled out.

“I can connect you with specialists. Review your results. At the very least—I can wait in line for you. Handle the paperwork.”

I opened my mouth to shut him down.

His phone buzzed.

He answered.

Evelyn’s voice flooded through the speaker, high and tear-wet.

“Dr. Whitmore—I think someone’s trying to break in outside. I’m scared.”

Adrian’s face changed.

He was already turning, moving toward the door.

I called out.

“Wait.”

He stopped.

Looked back at me. Impatience scrawled across his face.

“Claire. Are you saying—even if someone’s in danger, I need to clear it with you first? Get your permission before I go?”

“Now’s not the time for your drama.”

“She could be in trouble.”

“Can you lay off her for once?”

He paused.

Reconsidered.

Then he exhaled.

“I’ll go with you to the procedure. But right now—you need to get your priorities straight.”

He completely missed what I was going to say.

I was just going to tell him. I didn’t need him for the surgery.

He didn’t even let me get a word in.

The door closed behind him.

Priorities.

Always.

A simple phone call. She was scared. And he was gone.