Pride, Prejudice, Action!

Chapter 14

The silence in the car was so awkward as they drove half an hour to the nearest hospital. Rose wasn’t sure what to say after the revelation that there was something going on between Ethan and Victoria. Although, it kept her mind off the pain a little as she clutched an ice pack to her now swollen wrist. She knew she had no right to have an opinion on the matter. It was none of her business. 

But that didn’t stop her from feeling really disappointed in Ethan. First—he’d lied to her. He told her there was nothing going on, and second; why Victoria? He could have anyone. Why settle for a nasty, selfish bitch who disrespected anyone she thought beneath her? Rose supposed it was all about lust. They were both extremely gorgeous people, probably drawn to each other like fleas to a dog.

Not that she would know. Men like Ethan were never interested in girls like her. Looks like Kenny had been dead wrong. She couldn’t believe she let herself think for even one second Ethan could like her in a romantic sort of way. What an idiot! Then there was everything Daniel had said to her the night before. She thought, surely he wouldn’t be warning her if he didn’t think there was something there. But maybe it was just Rose he had been watching the other night, probably thinking ‘you silly fool, he’s not interested in you’.

The next week they would all leave for the location filming and in another four weeks, it would be all over. Then she and Tilly would be off to France for a few days to eat crepes under the Eiffel Tower. It was going to be so hard to say goodbye to everyone, though she might even see Ethan around, considering her best friend was dating his brother. Although, a clean break did sound preferable to seeing him all the time. He was messing with her head and she didn’t like that.

She would have fun with Tilly and travel some more. Then, when this was all over and she went back home to New Zealand, it would be back to her old life. She’d probably stay with her parents on the farm until she figured out whether she wanted to go back to her old hospital or not—they were always short staffed in Auckland, so a job should be the least of her worries. It would almost be like none of it had ever happened. 

“Come on, let’s get that looked at,” Ethan said, concern in his eyes.

She just nodded and let him lead the way. Luckily, they didn’t have to wait long until Rose was shown to a cubicle. She looked around, feeling instantly at ease. It was weird how much she actually missed it. The smell, the noise, the adrenaline. It soured her mood even more.

“The Doctor will be with you in a minute, dear,” the nurse said, closing the curtain behind her, leaving them alone.

“I’m really sorry about Victoria,” he said, looking contrite.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s not your fault she’s a horrible person,” Rose replied, adjusting the ice pack and flinching from pain. 

He watched her with concern. She could see he felt guilty, but she was angry with him and didn’t want to let him off the hook so easily.

“If I had some self-control, this would never have happened,” he mumbled. 

“You could have anyone. Why her?” she asked, not even attempting to keep the disappointment in her voice.

He just shrugged. “She’s a good—“

“Ethan, if you finish that sentence, I swear I’ll never speak to you again!”

“Sorry.” He had the decency to look embarrassed.

“Knock, knock.” Someone new poked his head through the curtain. “Rose Fletcher?”

She nodded in reply. He opened the curtain more and took a couple of steps forward, then he noticed Ethan in the corner and froze. They exchanged disgusted looks before Ethan stood abruptly and said, “I’m going to get a coffee. Do you want anything, Rose?”

She shook her head and watched him push through the curtain without looking back. She then turned her attention back to the doctor, the very handsome doctor.

“Let’s look at that arm, shall we?”

After confirming that her wrist was in-fact broken through an X-ray, Dr Woodham expertly applied a cast as Rose told him about her years as an ED nurse back home. During that time, she saw neither hide nor hair of Ethan. Then, just as the Doc was finishing up, he asked her about Ethan.

“So how do you know Ethan Dashwood?”

“Perhaps the better question is, how do you know him and why do you two look like you hate each other?” Rose quipped. 

He laughed. “Touché! Our families run in the same circles. There’s been a rivalry there since we were young chaps at Eton.”

It shouldn’t have surprised her that Ethan went to Eton, but he didn’t seem the type who would have enjoyed a place like that. 

“Your turn,” he said when Rose didn’t respond. 

“Oh, I’m doing my OE and a friend got me an assistant job on the set of his latest movie. The horrible leading lady on set tripped me and he felt bad and drove me here. He seems to have disappeared on me though, hopefully he hasn’t left.”

“Well, that all sounds fascinating. But can I ask; why are you working as an assistant and not a nurse?”

“It’s a long story, kind of,” she replied. 

“Perhaps you could tell me some time over a drink?”

Rose blushed like crazy. He wasn’t as hot as Ethan, but he wasn’t ugly either. She didn’t normally go for Doctors, they often had ego issues. But Dr Woodham was making her insides do delicious things whenever he smiled at her. It was probably a terrible idea, but before she could stop herself, her number had been saved on his phone.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure, Rose, but unfortunately, I have other patients to see. You know how it is,” he said, then smiled that delicious smile of his. 

“Of course. I’ll let you get back to it. Thank you so much for doing a wonderful job on my arm and I look forward to hearing from you.”

“If every patient was like you, my days would be a breeze. I’ll be in touch, nurse Rose, with the charming accent.” He winked as he backed away, then disappeared behind the curtain. 

Well, who would’ve thought breaking a wrist would have such a happy ending. Perhaps she should thank Victoria—perhaps not. The nurse came by and discharged her, then led her back out into the waiting room. It didn’t take her long to notice Ethan in the corner, surrounded by a group of giggling teenage girls, all asking for selfies.

It was actually the first time she had seen people fawning all over him. The night they had been at the pub was packed with mostly the Pride and Prejudice cast and crew, with the odd drunk old man who couldn’t care less who Ethan Dashwood was.

He looked uncomfortable, but he smiled and posed like a pro. Until he saw Rose standing a couple of meters away, her cast in a sling. He apologized and rushed to her side.

“Hey, you okay?” He asked.

“Oh, so now you’re interested?” She wasn’t super annoyed, but still.

“Sorry about that. I thought about coming back, but I didn’t want to make a scene. Which would have happened if I stayed.”

“He told me you were old rivals.”

“Something like that,” he muttered. “We should get you home,” he continued, obviously keen to change the subject. 

It was probably best she didn’t mention that she gave Woodham her number. Not that it was any of his business. He was with Victoria, but it would be better to keep the peace. Rose usually tried to avoid drama at all costs, and this was no exception. 

“Tilly will be getting worried, and I have so much to tell her.” Ethan raised an eyebrow in concern. “Relax, it won’t be all about you.”

“You can imagine my relief,” he said, giving her a deadpan expression. 

She just smiled as they walked back to his car. Nothing could ruin her mood at that moment. A few nights ago she wasn’t good enough for a rich actor, today a sexy Doctor asked her on a date. Take that Daniel Dashwood!