CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED and THIRTY-FIVE
(part six)

Tuesday afternoon — 5:15 P.M.

“Get out of my way,” Tanesha said.

Dressed in surgical scrubs, Tanesha tried to get around Dr. Cam Morgan. Every time she moved, he stepped in front of her. They had started arguing outside the surgical suites, continued arguing in the elevator and were now standing in the hallway in front of St. Joseph’s NICU.

“You have to talk to me,” Cam said.

“I do not,” Tanesha said.

“Please,” Cam said. “Last night was…”

“A mistake,” Tanesha crossed her arms over her heart. “One that won’t happen again.”

“Last night was amazing,” Cam said. “The symphony was unbelievable and you…”

“I was high on the music, Dr. Morgan,” Tanesha said. “You took advantage of me.”

“I distinctly remember you taking advantage of me,” Cam chuckled. “In the car. At my apartment, in the shower, this morning and…”

Tanesha gave him a strong look and tried to get around him.

“You can’t deny this,” Cam said.

“I can too,” Tanesha said. Leaning back on her right leg and crossing her arms again, she added, “You’ll deny it soon enough when your wife gets here.”

Cam startled then furrowed his brow.

“What about the five children?” Tanesha asked. “What are you going to tell them?”

Cam grabbed her arm and dragged her down the hallway to a family bathroom. Tanesha kept talking.

“You’ll deny me soon enough,” she said. “I don’t know this woman. What date? Music. I’ve never seen her before. Deny, deny, deny, deny, deny.”

“Please stop talking,” he stuffed her into the bathroom. He locked the door then stood in front of it.

“I will not,” Tanesha said. “You kidnapped me. I have some bad ass friends who rescue hostages. Maybe I should call them.”

“We cannot have this conversation out there,” Cam said.

“Fine,” Tanesha said. “You were telling me about your wife and children. They’re…”

“A cover,” Cam said.

“A what?” Tanesha asked. “That has got to be the lamest thing I’ve ever…”

“Plus, you’re the one who has a boyfriend,” Cam’s voice raised in anger.

“I have a friend with benefits,” Tanesha said. “Tres knows all about this. We don’t keep secrets.”

“Please,” Cam backed off his anger and tried a new tack. “My life is complicated. I was placed here. The woman and her children are listed as my wife and kids. They aren’t. Trust me. We’ll get a very public and very messy divorce in a few months.”

“What are they a cover for?” Tanesha asked.

“I can’t tell you,” Cam said.

Tanesha scowled at him.

“I can’t,” Cam said. “I never expected to feel this way. I have never felt this way about anyone. Ever.”

Tanesha’s eyes moved across his face.

“I know it sounds crazy,” Cam said. “It sounds crazy to me! But…”

He sighed.

“I have a mate who lives here part of the year,” Cam said. “His children live here. He said it was a great place to live. I applied to move here and was accepted. By some miracle, I even found a job. Then wham. My first day, I run right into John Kelly and meet you.”

“John Drayson?” Tanesha asked.

“Yeah, him,” Cam said. “Listen, I… can’t stop thinking about you. I want to be with you every moment of every day. I’ve memorized your schedule so I can be in the hall when you are. I lie awake at night thinking about you. Good Lord, I feel like I’m twelve years old.”

Tanesha flushed.

“You don’t have to believe me,” Cam said. “Not on anything. But give me a chance. I had an amazing time last night. Did you?”

Tanesha nodded.

“Will you go out with me again?” Cam asked. “Just a date – dinner or whatever.”

“All right,” Tanesha said. “But that cover story is lame-o.”

“Good,” Cam smiled. “That’s really good.”

“I need to go,” Tanesha said. “I’m missing my Rachel time.”

Cam stepped away from the door. He touched her arm as she passed. She turned to look at him and their eyes held. His lips brushed hers.

She opened the door.

“HEY!” Tanesha said. “Who the hell are you? Get away from my Rachel!”

Denver Cereal continues on Monday…

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