His gaze burned into hers as he stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her. “I know. But since your sexy, annoying ass sat on my barstool, I can’t stop these feelings that I’m having for the first time. Being with you was unlike anything I’ve ever felt. You challenge me in ways no one ever has. You make me want to work harder, strive to be better—for you. Before you showed up, I was completely happy with my bachelor life. Now, I want to leave it behind. I want something more. You’ve changed me, Erika.”

It had been that way for her, too, and being in his arms now was creating a whirlwind of confusing, conflicting emotions she wasn’t equipped to deal with.

She didn’t do feelings. She knew odds and procedures. She knew how to make a heart keep beating, but not how to trust her own.

“I’ve been going crazy without you. Food has no taste anymore. I can’t sleep. Tank’s on the verge of firing me and I don’t blame him—I’m annoying myself. I’m trying to be patient and I’m trying to understand the lack of contact. I don’t want to complicate your life...”

Too late.

He backed away abruptly. “That’s what I am—just a complication?”

She’d said the words out loud? Or had he read the thought on her face? “No, of course not.” Not just that, at least. “But actually yes. Not just a complication, but a complication for sure. I don’t know how to be a top surgeon and a girlfriend, okay? I’ve never had to be both. And I’m sorry I’m sucking at it, but if I have to choose which one to be good at, I have to go with my career.”

He looked as though she’d delivered a blow to the gut.

How could she ease the truth? Words had never been her friend and the only ones coming to mind now wouldn’t make either of them feel better. She was quiet for a long minute, sending the elevator back to the maintenance room when it hit the emergency floor again.

She waited.

Say something, Reed. Anything.

She couldn’t trust herself to say any more. But if he had any answers, any solutions on how to make this work, she’d be more than happy to hear them.

Nothing.

He stood there, silent, storm clouds passing across his blue eyes. It was torture to see him this way, but she had nothing to give him.

She sighed. “Reed, this is my life. My career matters to me.”

“And I don’t.”