In A Whisper (Set Me Free, # 2)

Chapter One

NICOLA

New York, Present Day

After almost ten years of non-stop studying, I was two minutes away from screwing up my medical career and letting it go down the drain.

I looked at my watch and cursed aloud. There was no way in hell I would make it to Dr. Bright's office in time for my scheduled appointment. After what I had heard about the man, I was sure he would show me the door before I even got a chance to say 'hello'.

Holding my umbrella in one hand, I pressed my CV tight to my chest and picked up my pace; losing the papers would be a perfect ending to my already fucked-up day.

I woke up at five in the morning, which was the earliest I had ever woken up in my entire life, except a few times when starting the day that early didn't have anything to do with leaving the bed, or getting dressed. I wished today was just that kind of a day – lazy, sunny and with no work, but no – there was something very important that I needed to do before I could go back home and get under the sheets to enjoy my boyfriend's foreplay talents.

After I got out of bed, feeling a little jealous about Jared's sleep that didn't need to be ruined by worry about the upcoming day, I brushed my teeth and washed my face, then I put on my running clothes and went outside. Just to get back a few minutes later, after I realized that running in the pouring rain wouldn't do me any good. Needless to say, my mood left much to be desired. I was stressed and scared as shit because today was the day I had been waiting to come for weeks – I was going to start my work as one of New York's best surgeons' assistant.

A twelve-month surgery residency was like the best of my dreams coming true. Being a certified surgery assistant, I wanted to improve my knowledge and skills in the field, and working side by side with Dr. Bright was just the perfect way to achieve it. Also, I had never met him in person, I had heard a lot about him, or to be exact – about his medical experience and numerous successful operations he had under his belt. I truly hoped I would be good enough to meet his high expectations.

I had been pacing my living room for almost an hour when I felt Jared's arms wrap around me. He tried to talk me into going back to bed and staying there for another hour or so, but I was too stressed to think about anything but the upcoming appointment. So, I made breakfast, swallowed the contents of my enormous cup of coffee, changed into a black pencil skirt, the matching jacket and a creamy silk blouse and left the apartment, hoping the rest of the day would be better than my morning.

And now, standing at the desk of Dr. Bright's secretary, waiting for her to finish her phone conversation, I felt like I was about to faint. I was a nervous wreck.

It didn't look like she was going to pay attention to my presence any time soon; the woman looked just as pissed as she sounded, trying to reschedule one of the doctor's appointments for the next day. Apparently, the patient was not cooperating.

I went to a small couch opposite from her desk and took a seat.

"Crap," I cursed under my breath, watching the drops of water dripping from my umbrella and turning into a dark, wet spot on the carpet. I was glad to know the thing was big enough to cover me from the damn rain, but now it was about to turn the waiting room into a pool. Which, I was sure, would not help explain my late arrival.

The clock on the wall showed 9:20 AM; I was ten minutes late for my appointment. I looked at the closed door to Dr. Bright's office and considered going in there without waiting for his secretary to announce me.

As if reading my mind, the woman said, "He's not here yet. You will have to wait."

I let out a sigh of relief. I was not late after all. He was.