Chapter 852

It was evening when Lena had just finished her shift, only to find the nurses buzzing about something. Curious, she asked, “Alright, what’s all the excitement about?”

“Dr. Lane, there’s a ridiculously handsome man waiting outside!” one nurse gushed.

Just like guys get a rush from seeing a gorgeous woman, girls feel the same buzz when a total dreamboat walks in.

Lena couldn’t help but tease, “Well, no matter how hot he is, if you don’t make a move, he’s still someone else’s.”

Despite her usually no-nonsense demeanor at work, Lena loved joining in the fun when the day was done. A little playful banter was the perfect way to unwind after a marathon of patients.

“So, are we making a move?” one nurse joked as the group headed toward the hospital’s entrance, giggling.

But when Lena stepped outside, she froze. There, bathed in the golden glow of sunset, stood Aaron.

Dressed in a black coat over a sharp suit and crisp white shirt, he looked like he’d walked off the cover of GQ. The fading sunlight highlighted his sharp features, making him look even more refined and—yeah, she had to admit it—insanely attractive.

‘Oh. So that’s who they’re drooling over,’ Lena thought.

Lena had seen her share of gorgeous guys—Jace, Hayden, Nate—but somehow, Aaron still managed to have that effect. Her memory flashed back to school, when classmates would trip over themselves to meet him. Some even pretended to be her friend just to get closer to him.

Aaron, of course, remained oblivious to the chaos he caused.

“Uncle Aaron!” she called, grinning as she walked over. “Standing out here looking like this—isn’t that a bit much?”

The nurses stopped dead, staring like Lena had just announced she owned a yacht.

“Wait, this is Dr. Lane’s guy?” one of them whispered, eyes wide.

“Figures. The best ones are always taken,” another teased, throwing Lena a wink.

‘Oh, great. Here we go again.’

Misunderstandings about her and Aaron weren’t new. Back in school, even teachers had mistaken them for a couple. One incident got so ridiculous that her parents were called in for a “disciplinary meeting.” When the truth about their relationship came out, the teacher apologized profusely and even scolded Lena for not clarifying sooner. That memory alone was enough to make her cringe.

“Am I embarrassing you?” Aaron asked casually, his tone as smooth as ever.

Lena rolled her eyes, falling into her usual banter. “Someone like you? Embarrassing? You’d ruin the bar for the rest of us.”

She’d stopped being awkward around him ages ago. Once she’d decided to stop caring about other people’s assumptions, it was easier to just… be herself.

A few nurses lingered nearby, shamelessly eavesdropping. One of the bolder ones called out, “Dr. Lane, you owe us Starbucks tomorrow!”

“Got it,” Lena replied, knowing full well she had no choice. Anything to keep them from saying something even more mortifying.

“Have fun on your date!” another added with a cheeky grin.

‘Kill me now.’ Lena’s cheeks burned as she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

Before she could come up with a snappy comeback, Aaron stepped in, his tone calm but firm. “Let’s go. We’ll move your stuff first, then figure out what else you need.”

He sounded like he was talking to a kid.

Lena nodded, falling into step beside him. As they headed toward the car, she side-eyed him. “My parents—they’re not seriously waiting at your place, are they?”

Aaron gave her a knowing look. “If I said no, would you decide not to move?”