Chapter 77

Ryan had bought a bouquet of flowers early, trying to win some points with Bella. He had no shifts that afternoon but still hung around the hospital, just waiting for her. "Dr. Duval, what are you doing? Still not off work?" his assistant asked the moment she stepped into his office and saw him pacing with the flowers in hand, clearly distracted. Ryan quickly set the flowers down when he noticed her. "Nothing... uh, has Dr. Lewis left yet?" "Oh, her? She just clocked off." Hearing that, Ryan grabbed the flowers and rushed out. "Bella! Bella, wait up!" he called out, panting as he reached the parking lot. Just as Bella was about to open her car door, Ryan caught her hand. "What are you doing?" Bella snapped, shaking him off with a scowl. "I— I wanted to treat you to dinner, you know, to thank you for covering that surgery yesterday," Ryan stammered. He might act carefree most of the time, but when it came to Bella, that swagger disappeared. "No need. I was just doing my job. If you real