Chapter 4: Heartbreak, Hair, and Hope

I imagined the rumors—tragic doctor, heartbroken, can’t handle the pressure. I snorted. People always find a story to tell. Still, it stung.

Just as I got lost in melodrama, a familiar voice snapped me out of it. My heart jumped.

“Autumn Callahan.”

“Ben?”

I called his name before I even saw him. Ben, in uniform, looked heroic, his eyes crinkling into little crescents. My heart leapt.

He stood by his Tahoe, leaning casually, hands in his pockets. The afternoon sun caught the badge on his chest. He looked like he’d stepped out of a magazine spread—if magazine models wore police blues and had kind eyes. I felt like I was in a movie.

“Discharged? Let’s go.”

“What, you taking me in for questioning?”

I lowered my head, silently judging his lack of sympathy. A soft laugh came from above, and he ruffled my hair. I tried to pout, but it made him grin wider.

His fingers were gentle, the gesture oddly intimate. I tried to glare, but it only made him smile wider. My cheeks burned.

“What are you thinking? Cops aren’t that heartless. I’m giving you a ride home—rush hour’s a nightmare for cabs.”

He opened the passenger door, motioning for me to get in. I hesitated, then climbed inside, feeling a little thrill. It was weirdly romantic.

I checked my watch—just after five. Rush hour, indeed.

“You’re off duty?”

If there’s a free ride, why not take it? Sitting in his passenger seat for the second time, I suddenly felt like a boyfriend was picking up his girlfriend. My heart fluttered.

I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye, heart fluttering. The city outside felt a little less lonely. I tried to look casual.

I wanted to act cute, so I tugged at the seatbelt and said in my sweetest voice, “Officer Maddox, I can’t get the seatbelt...”

Ben’s shoulders stiffened. He looked at me, then quickly away. I could see a blush creeping up his neck.

He cleared his throat, fumbling for the buckle. His ears turned pink again, and I bit back a laugh. He was so easy to fluster.

He said, “Dr. Callahan, did you cut your nerves along with your neck?”

Ha, did you kill all your romantic brain cells on patrol? I snorted, but secretly loved how awkward he was.

I stuck my tongue out at him, but he just shook his head, grinning. The car filled with comfortable silence, city lights blurring past. I could get used to this.

We were quiet all the way home. Not wanting to let him go, I tried to find an excuse for our next meeting. My mind raced for ideas.

I watched the city slide by, thinking up a dozen ways to bump into him again. My fingers drummed on my bag, nerves buzzing with possibility.

So, I very ‘accidentally’ pulled something from my bag and tossed it onto his car seat. My heart thumped, hoping he’d notice.

I made a show of searching for my keys, then "accidentally" dropped the plastic femur model from my anatomy kit onto his seat. Smooth, right? I tried to look innocent.

“See you next time, Officer Maddox.” I shot him a smile, trying to play it cool.

“Hey...” Just as I turned, Ben called me. Was he about to say something sweet? My heart skipped.

My heart leapt. I turned, ready for a confession—or at least a cheesy line. I tried not to look too eager.

“Hm?”

“Your... uh...” He held up the femur, looking confused and embarrassed all at once. I wanted to melt.

He looked embarrassed, until I saw what he was holding. My face went up in flames.

Who the heck put a plastic femur model in my bag! I wanted to disappear. Of all the things to leave behind...

My face went red. I snatched it back, mumbling something about "medical stuff." Could I die of embarrassment on the spot? I considered it.

“No, that’s not... It probably belongs to my coworker...” I stammered, wishing I could vanish.

“Well, goodbye then, Dr. Callahan.”

Ben was clearly holding back laughter, while I wanted to crawl under a rock. I didn’t even say goodbye—just bolted inside, dying of embarrassment.

I heard his laughter as I slammed the door behind me. I pressed my back to the wood, cheeks burning, but I couldn’t stop smiling. Mortified, but happy.

Before I got a summons, I ran into Ben at the hospital again. Fate, or just my luck?

I’d barely gotten over my embarrassment when fate threw us together once more. The city really is too small sometimes. My heart did a nervous jig.

On my way to do rounds, the nurse next to me nudged my arm. She waggled her eyebrows, clearly up to something.

She leaned in, eyes wide with gossip. “Dr. Callahan, look—isn’t that the hot cop who saved you?” My stomach dropped and soared at the same time.

“Huh?” I followed her gaze, already bracing myself.

Following her gaze, I saw a guy in jeans and a ball cap—still as handsome as ever. Who else could it be but Ben? My heart did a happy little flip.

He stood by the elevators, hands in his pockets, looking lost. My heart did a little flip. I waved, hoping he’d see me. Please, please, please.

My heart skipped, dopamine spiking. I waved, a little too eagerly.

I felt like a teenager, giddy and stupid. The nurse giggled beside me, whispering behind her hand. I grinned like an idiot.

Suddenly, a girl walked over and took his arm—she was from OB/GYN. My heart plummeted.

She looked familiar—one of the residents from the women’s health floor. She linked arms with Ben, laughing at something he said. My heart dropped into my shoes. Ouch.

“Looks like another good one’s off the market.”

The nurse’s disappointed voice echoed in my ear, but I didn’t hear anything else. My eyes stuck to the smiling couple. I felt numb.

The world went fuzzy around the edges. I tried to swallow, but my throat was tight. I forced a smile, pretending it didn’t matter. My chest ached.

I sobbed, "Men are all jerks!" The words burst out before I could stop them, ugly and raw.

Luckily, I hadn’t put on makeup, so I could cry as much as I wanted. The wind on the hospital rooftop was sharp, and my heart ached from lost love. I let the cold air sting my cheeks.

I sat on the cold concrete, knees pulled to my chest, letting the wind whip my hair around. Tears stung my eyes, but I didn’t care. The city stretched out below, uncaring. I felt small.

Marcus found me in the dark, staring off into space. He didn’t say anything at first, just sat beside me.

He sat beside me, offering a bottle of water. His presence was steady, a quiet anchor in the storm. I took it, grateful for something to hold onto.

“What’s wrong, junior? Did you really get disfigured?” His tone was teasing, but his eyes were kind.

“Marcus! I’m heartbroken!” I wailed, more dramatic than I meant to be.