Authors: DeLaine Roberts
“Hello Dr. Brooks, I am really grateful that you extended the invite for today. Please let me know when you have a few minutes so that we can discuss the case.”
I realized that we were now alone in the lounge. Dr. Brooks stood and took my extended hand, this time our handshake was brief, but he was smiling very warmly, and again, I felt the tingling sensation that I did the first time we met. He must have felt it too, pulling his hand back quickly.
“Alexandra, once the patient is fully asleep, we can go over the steps of your equipment again, just to make sure I have the intended steps in order. Once I am scrubbed in sterile, I assume that you will operate the equipment?” His eyes became so stern; I felt a hole begin to burn into my own.
“Yes sir, I will follow your lead.” Dr. Brooks took me to the first patient's room and introduced me to her and the family as a colleague? I observed him as he discussed her procedure, prognosis and answered questions. I was amazed at his bed-side manner and the way he was so endearing to her, her husband and their family. His professionalism impressed me, but his ability to put them at ease was so appreciating to watch. I wished that kind of attitude and care for every patient that has to undergo surgery and treatment for breast cancer.
As we made our way to the operating room, I got a chance to drink in his beautiful physique, so muscular and toned, the scrub pants just sitting on his hips. He walks with quite a strut, filled with confidence all the way down to his tennis shoes. Following him to the room, we join all the masked strangers that seem to glide around the room, like a choreographed dance, so very much in sync. I noticed a few gazes my way and then back to Dr. Brooks, but no one on the team spoke of my attending the procedure. After a few moments, there was room for me to bring in my equipment and get set up. The nurse came over and retrieved my information for the patient record and asked me a few questions about my equipment. It’s euphoric to bring new technology to the market and very fulfilling to know that you are providing shorter procedures for the patients and improving the process.
As the surgery was now in full swing, Dr. Brooks was asking me questions about where I grew up and my college years. I told him about my studies at Northwestern and how a recruiter for PMC that brought me to Dallas. I was trying to decipher whether it was a deposition or if he was really all that curious about me on a personal level. I knew I was certainly curious about him and wanted to get to know the handsome stranger that could be the handsome devil in disguise.
“Where did you do your medical school training?” trying to find out more about him.
“Alexandra, I did all of my training through the military, so I was in many different locations.”
“Did you have a favorite?”
“Yes, yes I did. My favorite time was when I was stationed in Europe, specifically, Austria. It is a beautiful place, less tourism. The fall season is breathtaking and I really enjoyed snow-skiing during the winter while I was stationed at that post, a truly fabulous, scenic countryside.” I could see his eyes dancing above his surgical mask, when he looked over at me.
“Do you ski, Alexandra, or like sports and outdoors?” His question suggests that he might have an interest in me as well.
“Yes, I do like to ski and I am a sports fanatic. I like to play basketball, for exercise I like running and Pilates. I am a huge Bears and Cubs fan, sorry if you all are Cowboys fans!” trying not to get run out of the room.
“Well, we have the Bears in common, I too love the Bears!” as he winked at me. I couldn’t decide if Grayson Brooks was just agreeing with me or he really did like the Bears, which is interesting...maybe he has lived in Chicago? I desired to know more, but we were finishing the procedure and I had to move my equipment.
As we exited the procedure room, we discussed how easy the surgery went and the 30 minutes he saved just by using my equipment, which had him beaming with excitement. Since he was still in a mask, I could only see his sapphire blue eyes, but that was enough for me, they were gleaming.
“Alexandra, on a busy OR day, I usually have 4-5 cases. Your equipment could give my team about 2 hours back of our day for another procedure or for some play time on the basketball court maybe?”
“I am pleased that you are happy with the outcome of our demonstration, this is obviously the conclusion that I had hoped you would come to.” Of course, what I really wanted to say was,
if you weren’t such a stubborn-ass, you would know that by now. And would have had several days to hit the court already, you hard-headed jerk!
“I have to get to a meeting with the hospital foundation committee about upcoming fundraising, but I would like to discuss your equipment options more. Would you be available to meet me for dinner tonight, say 6:30?”
“Absolutely, I have an appointment that should wrap up by 5:00,” trying to contain my excitement, but I'm sure that he could see my breath quicken.
“I will text you the reservation info later” turning, he rubbed my shoulder and walked off before I could say anything else. But I was quite certain that I had just made serious headway with Dr. Brooks. Tonight I would have to be careful, because after all, I need and want his business first, but after that I am going to learn as much as I can about Dr. Grayson Brooks.
Certain that Drew was pacing the floor of whatever state he was in today, I wanted to share my excitement. I knew he would be awaiting news about how the procedure went down. I anticipated a million questions on how I managed to wrestle Dr. Brooks into an equipment demo. “Hi Drew, are you patiently waiting to hear how bad it was?” Okay, so I am teasing him, but he’ll get over it.
“Alex, don’t jack with me. I’m not in the mood,” but I knew he was playing, “please tell me it went great,” I could hear the anxiety in his voice “and then I need to understand how you managed to get Dr. Brooks to say yes to a trial. What tricks did you use?”
“First of all, I didn’t use any tricks. You told me to be myself and I was, but he turned me down. After he thought about it, he reached out and left me a message indicating that he would be willing to give it a try. Secondly, the case went wonderful, and I have a follow up dinner with him tonight.” Pausing slightly to hear him finally take a breath, “Before you go all bossy on me, I got this for now, let’s not push him. He’s on board with hearing purchasing options and realizes the initiative, so I have him where I need him to be, after just one case. I will know more about the budget cycle after dinner tonight.” I informed Drew that I had another appointment and needed time to prep for the dinner meeting with Dr. Brooks.
I couldn’t wait to talk to Cooper and ask for his stylist expertise, but he wasn’t picking up. Wrapping up my final appointment, I had missed Dr. Brooks’ text:
Dinner reservations 6:30 at Sambuca’s in my name, are you still able to make it
?
I responded:
“Certainly, see you there.”
What are the odds? Of all the restaurants in Dallas, he picks a place in my neighborhood and one that Cooper and I just discovered. Am I being stalked?
Returning home, I have just enough time to get ready for my dinner, but what a challenge, what to wear. I pull out my favorite dinner dress, but it’s mostly brown and really doesn’t enhance my non-existent boobs! I need Cooper, where the heck is he? Trying to wrangle my hair unsuccessfully, I finally decide just to pull it back when I hear “Oh, no you don’t, let that hair down, girl.”
“Cooper, where have you been, I need you! I have a dinner meeting with Dr. Brooks and I am begging! You gotta do me a favor and please style me!”
“Hey girl, I’ve got your back and you are going to look
drilling-hot
tonight” and suddenly, he pulls together a sexy outfit in about 2.2 seconds.
“Coop, what is drilling-hot?” I am stunned at his new terminology all of a sudden.
“Well, I could revise it and say f-able, but you don’t like that word, so I came up with
drilling-hot
”
NOTE TO SELF: Pick up some style catalogs so that I can pull together outfits, because Cooper may not always be around to bail me out of fashion prison!
Arriving at the restaurant, I leave my Jeep with the valet. I mentioned to the hostess that I was meeting Dr. Brooks and she led me to a table where a petite, blonde, very attractive young woman was sitting. I notice she is wearing a beautifully, large wedding ring!
Shit, he’s married! Even more perfect, I get to have dinner with the WIFE!!
A sudden blush devours my whole body; I can feel the heat burn. The blonde is giving me a questioning look. Trying to find my voice, “Hello, I am Alex Morrison, I am meeting Dr. Brooks.”
“Oh, hi Alex, it’s very nice to meet you. I am Zoe. Grayson is running late and should be here shortly.”
As we women begin to immediately size each other up,
because that is what women do to each other
, I realize she is really pretty, with long, blonde hair and speaks with a soft, southern accent. She looks to be just a few years older than me. I could see how she and Dr. Brooks make an attractive-looking couple.
“I was out of the office last week attending a conference and updating my continuing education credits for my nursing license. I am sorry that I didn’t get a chance to meet you on Friday. I understand that the procedures went really well today and everyone was very happy with your product.” Oh dear, just lovely, not only is she married to him, she works with him. So she is his nurse as well. That’s really not uncommon, especially when just starting a practice.
“Yes, I am sorry that I missed meeting Dr. Brooks’ entire team. Today, the cases went well, actually, really well, and the operating room team seemed to be pleased.”
We were about to dive into painful small talk, when Dr. Brooks finally appeared.
“Good evening ladies, I am so very sorry for keeping you both. My meeting with the foundation ran later than I had intended, but encouraging. I am assuming you both met and have been getting to know each other?”
Why would I want to get to know his wife? Is he a twisted-bedroom kind of guy
? My alter ego gets in control and reminds me to get my mind out of the bedroom, but how can I with this sexy man sitting so close to me!
“Alex, I don’t like to drag business out, so I will get right to it. I felt that the case went well today and I can easily see how my patients and practice could benefit, as well as the OR Team's time. The problem is always funding. With that being said, the hospital is limited on budget right now. They can’t make any large purchases, which is why I have gone to the hospital foundation committee to see what options we may have in their favor. As luck would have it, they don’t have excessive funds left over at the moment. However, their fundraising gala will be in September, so we aren’t a long way off. We just need to plan quickly and be accessible to them.
Just so you know, you will be competing with other product requests by physicians that may carry more clout than I. So you will need to surround them with attention and bring in your best proposal. It would be to your benefit to join the committee and assist with some of the fundraising. Are you okay with the plan in motion?”
“Absolutely, Dr. Brooks, I would be happy to. I couldn’t ask for more. As you put a plan together, I have a back up already going to the drawing board. Our organization is small, a start-up. But we do need beta facilities to help us with product feedback and provide referrals. We are also looking for a Medical Director who can perform a lecture series as leader of our faculty. For their activity and extra time, we often are able to get them teaching packages with a reduced or no-cost option. However, let me be completely honest, this does require a great deal of time on your part and a relationship with our organization that goes both ways. If you are open to discussing what I am proposing, I will call my boss right now and get that ball rolling
?” Of course, I would love to spend more time with Dr. Delicious, but not if he is married to the Texas Cutie!
As he indicates, I call Drew and ask for a meeting to be set up ASAP with Phillip, our CEO and the board. He is to notify me when it is all set up.
Dr. Brooks signals the server to take our orders. Before I can really dive into some small talk, Zoe asks me if I am married. Wow, she doesn’t wait long. She wants to know if I am going to be chasing her husband since we are going to be spending so much time together.
“No, I am not married. Between working and finishing my MBA, I have not had the time or luck in the love department. I am lucky in friendship, however, as my life-long friend, Cooper Roberts, decided to make the relocation from Chicago to Dallas with me and we are roommates.” Before I could finish, I saw the two of them glance at each other, so I decided to go for it.
“So how long have you two been married?” And with a jolt, Dr. Brooks drops his glass hard on the table and clears his throat as if he is choking. Zoe comes to his rescue in between her giggling.
“Oh, too funny,
WE
are NOT married. Not to each other anyway. Grayson is my older brother and he is not married! I just married recently and have lived in the Dallas area since going to school here. That is why Grayson decided to start his practice here when he left the military, but I am his nurse for the time being.”
I could feel the redness burn my face again or was it the wine? No, it was both embarrassment and satisfaction in knowing that he wasn’t married!