Stubborn Heart Read Online Free PDF Page B

annoying than you are now,” Mark said with a huff.
    “What?” Carla shrugged, eyes wide. “I tell you a hot man has been looking for you, and I’m being annoying? I would think you’d be grateful for the information.”
    “Well, thank you!” Mark said with an exaggerated exhale.
    “See, I’m not hearing any sincerity there. Here I am, trying to look after your rapidly aging ass, and all I get is grief.”
    “I don’t need you to look after my rapidly aging ass!” Mark fussed. “What I need you to do is help me turn my patient, and then get out of my room.”
     
     
    T HE morning went by quickly, and at eleven thirty Mark walked down to the cafeteria to grab some lunch. It was early enough that the pizza was still fresh, so he grabbed a slice of the pepperoni. Looking around the cafeteria, he decided to take his food back up to the unit to eat. He carried his lunch into the conference room and saw Trevor sitting at a table, writing notes on a chart. “Hey, you!” Mark said, dropping down into a chair at the same table.
    “Hi, Mark,” Trevor answered. He smiled as he looked up. “I haven’t seen you in a while.”
    “I had a few days off,” Mark explained as he unwrapped his pizza and took a bite. They chatted for a few minutes; Mark told Trevor about the movies he had seen. He nibbled at his pizza as they talked. It seemed like no time at all had passed when Carla stuck her head in the door.
    “I hate to bother you while you are eating, but Mr. Jones had a Code Brown and there’s no one else to help me right now. I’ll get everything ready and meet you in five.” She backed out of the room and headed off.
    “You just sat down, and you haven’t even had time to eat,” Trevor complained. “Is it something I can help her with? What is a Code Brown?”
    “Aww! That is so very sweet of you to offer,” Mark said with a chuckle. “But I think I had better take care of this one myself. Oh, and for the record, a Code Brown is a bowel movement. It usually means a big, nasty one.”
    “Oh,” Trevor replied, looking a little sheepish. “I guess I’m glad I know what that means now.”
    “See you later,” Mark said with a laugh and a wink. He tossed the remainder of the pizza in the trash can as he left to go and help Carla.
     
     
    “A NY more Code Browns?” Trevor asked as he leaned over the counter, peering down where Mark was busily writing notes on a patient’s chart. Mark smiled and looked up at him.
    Trevor liked that first second when Mark’s gaze met his own. His eyes seemed to sparkle like big blue pools of water.
    “Nope. Squeaky clean afternoon.” Mark grinned. He watched Trevor briefly and then resumed writing on the record. After a few seconds, he paused. He could see Trevor still leaning against the counter. He could feel him watching him. He finally glanced up again. “Do you need something?” he asked with a smile.
    “No, I’m just standing here, thinking,” Trevor replied, a hint of nervousness in his voice.
    Mark eyed him quizzically for a moment and then shifted his gaze back down to the record he was writing on.
    Trevor snorted softly through his nose and looked away. Just ask him, stupid!
    “Is something up?” Mark asked, setting down his pen to give Trevor his full attention. This time there was concern in his voice as he regarded Trevor.
    “Do you want to go and get something to eat after work?” Trevor exhaled and relaxed somewhat now that the question had been asked. He still shifted his weight from one foot to the other.
    Mark smiled and looked a little disappointed. “I can’t,” he replied. “I have to cover part of the shift for another nurse. I won’t get off work until almost midnight.”
    “What about tomorrow night?” Trevor asked.
    “Not a chance,” Mark said, shaking his head.
    Trevor’s eyes widened; he was obviously taken aback by Mark’s reply.
    “Seriously, I will be one sleep-deprived zombie tomorrow,” Mark said humorously, trying