FROM FLING TO REDEMPTION TO FOREVER

Once off the plane, Hayley patiently awaited her bags and then proceeded to pick up her rental car. Although the midsize car she initially reserved wasn't available, the young attendant kindly upgraded her to a Sapphire Blue Mustang. A spontaneous laugh escaped her lips as she casually tossed her suitcase and bag into the trunk. The weekend, she mused, might just unfold unexpectedly enjoyable moments. The preceding week had been a whirlwind of activity. A call from her father earlier in the week served as a reminder of his upcoming sixtyeth birthday and the news that the hospital had planned a celebration for him. Initially, Hayley had almost questioned why he was informing her about it at all before he dropped a bombshell—he wanted her to organize the party. Despite her initial blunt refusal, her father confidently assured her that the task wouldn't prove overwhelming. Reluctantly, she acquiesced to take charge, spurred on by her father's scoff, challenging her capabilities to raise funds even at the gala. She drove straight to the hospital, parking in the visitor section. The newly designed hospital appeared inviting, having replaced the older one two blocks away. Its grey outer walls, adorned with numerous windows, radiated like sunbeams around the nucleus. As she stepped through the sliding doors, warm heated air brushed away the cold autumn chill. Before heading to the elevator, she slipped into a restroom, adjusting her ponytail. The band snapped, prompting a futile search in her purse for a replacement. Opting to run her fingers through her hair, she tidied up as best as she could, adding a touch of makeup. Squaring her shoulders, exhaling, she mumbled, "Please give me patience and don't piss Dad off," before leaving the restroom. Hitting the elevator button, the door slid open just in time—an older couple exited, and she smiled at them before entering. Leaning against the wall was a tall, attractive man in medical scrubs, catching her gaze a moment too long. She pressed the sixth-floor button, realizing he would disembark on the same floor. Closing her eyes, she sighed, berating herself for acting like a teenage girl. When she opened her eyes, she smiled at him, attempting to maintain eye contact. "Are you a doctor here?" "I am," he replied with a sexy smile, offering no further information. She tried again, "Is your office on the sixth floor?" "It is," he confirmed, and she noted a possible accent. Checking his badge as the elevator stopped, she read "Dr. Miller." Stepping out, she realized she didn't know where to go. Dr. Miller, noticing her confusion, walked into her and steadied her with a grip on her elbow. "I'm so sorry. Are you alright?" he asked, revealing an Australian accent. "It's my fault. I'm not sure where Dr. Covey's office is," she admitted. Two young nurses passed by, one winking at Dr. Miller. "Hello, Lorenzo," she said, the other nurse elbowing her. "Oops. Hello, Dr. Miller." They disappeared into the nurses' room. Hayley, recalling her dad's phone call earlier that week, after her father had rang her up, only for a stranger to answer the call, extended her hand. "I'm Hayley. Dr. Covey's daughter. We spoke earlier this week on the phone." Lorenzo reached for her hand, his warm, strong fingers enclosing around hers, and he smiled at her again. "I remember. You're much more beautiful in person." No wonder the nurses were so friendly. He was a ladies' man. "I can take you to your dad. I was just about to see him myself." "That'd be great. If he was a flirt, she could flirt too. Lead the way." He pulled his phone out of his chest pocket and checked his messages. "I just need to call downstairs to see if my x-rays are done." He headed past the nurses' station and down the hall. Hayley followed, admiring his lean, muscular shoulders that dipped into a firm derriere, looking fantastic in hospital pants. She felt her cheeks grow warm. "There's nothing wrong with appreciating a fit body. Get over it, girl." "Thanks. Have someone send them up to the sixth-floor review room. I need them quick." Lorenzo tucked his phone back in his pocket. "Sorry about that. So how long are you in town to see your dad?" "Just the weekend. He wants to do a fancy do for his sixtyeth. He's asked me to plan it." "I'm sure you'll make it amazing." He scratched the stubble on his chin. "I have to admit I googled you after we spoke on the phone. You're quite the successful donor-fundraiser... party planner...thing." He shrugged and made a confused face. "I don't know what your official title is." "Neither does my father," she teased, "but at least he knows what I do or he wouldn't have called." She noticed the wing they'd been walking down now had expensive wooden doors. The first office had her dad's name on the plaque, and across the hall was Lorenzo's name. "You must be pretty special to have an office right here." What she wanted to say was 'By my dad,' but she held back. Her opinion of her father was not shared with fellow doctors. He was the man. The Dr. Fred Covey. Life saver super-hero. "The chief gets the next best office." Lorenzo dropped his head a bit and grinned like a little boy. "Sorry, just trying to impress you." Hayley blinked, surprised at his honesty. "I'm impressed. A little." She pretended to shrug. "You're pretty young to be chief. I'd ask who you had to sleep with to get the job, but since my dad's in charge, I don't really want to know." Lorenzo's head tilted back, and he burst out laughing. The door to her father's office swung open, probably from the sound in the hallway. "Hayley!"