Chapter 1

Linus Montgomery glanced at the chart he held. He was new to this hospital, starting his residency in the cardiology program just a few weeks ago. He made a notation and handed it to the nurse, Ella. He smiled at her. “I’ll be in to check on him within the half hour.”

“Thanks, doctor.”

Linus stepped around the nurses’ station and, as he turned to go down the corridor, he spotted Geoffrey Spenser, also a doctor, leaning against the wall talking to one of the nurses. This particular nurse was a big flirt, and Linus knew Geoff was totally into him. The nurse, Micah Florentine, was currently batting his lashes at Geoff and had his hand just under the collar of Geoff’s lab coat.

“Yeah, they’re at it again,” Ella said, catching his glance. “Dr. Spencer actually let Micah do his hair.”

Linus lifted his brows. “He does hair, too?”

Ella, a slightly plump but pretty bleached blonde, rolled her eyes. “Is there anything he can’t do? I’m pretty sure they’re doing it.”

Ignoring the stab of jealousy—or was that pain—Linus nodded. “Certainly looks that way. Ah, well. None of my business.” He glanced at his watch. “And I’m due a lunch break. I’ll check on that patient when I’m back, Ella.”

Linus made his way out of the area and to the elevators that would take him to the basement cafeteria. Just as the doors were about to slide closed, a white coat covered arm shot out and stuck itself between them. The doors abruptly halted and were forced open.

Squelching his annoyance, Linus waited for the intruder to step into the elevator. His gaze shifted away as Geoff appeared with a slightly crooked grin.

“Sorry, tried to catch it before it got that far.”

“You’re lucky you didn’t lose an arm,” Linus replied, hearing the primness in his own voice.

Geoff grinned. “Well, even if I had, at least there was a doctor here. Lionel, right?”

Biting back a sigh, Linus shook his head. “No. Linus. Like from the comic strip.”

“You’re kidding?” Geoff chuckled. “Too funny.”

Linus didn’t find his name particularly funny, but he was used to the cracks by now. He waited for the one he was sure was coming.

“So, do you really believe in the Great Pumpkin?”

Linus rolled his eyes. “Yeah, like I haven’t heard that one three-hundred times.”

“I suppose you have. Still, it’s cute.”

“Right.”

“Geoff Spencer,” he said, offering his hand.

Linus didn’t move his hands from where they rested by his sides. “I know who you are.”

Geoff dropped his hand. “Yeah? You don’t sound impressed.”

The elevator doors slid open with a sort of rocking motion. Linus stepped off, followed by Geoff.

“Break, huh?” Geoff asked.

“Looks that way.”

“Me, too. You aren’t very friendly. Anyone ever tell you that?”

Linus shrugged and picked up a tray. “A time or two.”

“You should work on that bedside manner.” Geoff reached past Linus for a tray, brushing against him as he did so. “Aramis, right?”

Linus frowned. “Huh?”

“Your cologne. It’s Aramis. Isn’t it?”

“I don’t know,” Linus admitted. “It was a gift from my sister. Don’t really look at it. Anyway, it’s not cologne, it’s soap.” He stopped in front of the prepackaged chopped salad. He noticed Geoff was still following him. “I thought you’d take your break with Florentine.”

“Micah? He’s off work, just ended his shift,” Geoff said. “Why? You jealous?”

“Of what?” Linus grabbed the salad and placed it on his tray. Geoff bypassed that and went to the chicken station and selected a thin chicken breast. Linus filled a cup with iced tea and then headed for the cashier. After he paid, he selected a table in the corner. He was only slightly surprised when Geoff showed up and plopped himself down.

“What?” Geoff asked with a grin. “You’re my pet project. See what makes you tick.”

“Huh? Why?”

Geoff shrugged. “You’re new here. Curiosity killed the cat.”

“Hopefully the cat has nine lives then.”

“You’re kind of funny,” Geoff said with a chuckle. “Where’d you come from, Linus?”

If it were anyone other than Geoff Spencer, his secret crush, Linus would have thought the guy was genuinely interested in him. Linus wouldn’t win any beauty contests or anything, but he generally got interest from other gay men. Geoff, on the other hand, was extremely good-looking with his salon hair and bright green eyes. And dimples for God’s sake.

“Earth to Linus. You in there or what?” Geoff waved his hand in front of Linus’s face.

“Get your hand out of my face,” Linus snapped. “And yes, I’m here. I came from Murrits, Oregon.”

“Never heard of it,”

“You wouldn’t. Tiny little town. I grew up there. Went to medical school in Portland. Did my residency there and then practiced in Murrits for a year or so. Wanted to do cardiology, so I applied to be a resident at this hospital. Now I’m here.”

Geoff sipped from his coffee. “You still got family in Murrits? Neighbors named Charlie Brown?”

“Ha ha. My sister, Lucy, still lives there.”

Geoff stared at him. “Really? Your sister’s named Lucy?”

Linus rolled his eyes. “No, I’m kidding. My sister’s name is Marion. But she does live in Murrits.”

“You really are a funny guy. A little standoffish, but funny.”

Linus finished his salad and pushed it away. “Nice hair by the way.” He flicked a glance at Geoff’s almost platinum blond hair. “Your boyfriend do that?”

Geoff grinned. “You refer to Micah?”

“You got any other boyfriends?”

“Well, he’s not exactly my boyfriend. Yet anyway. I’m working on that. But yeah, he did my hair. He’s got amazing talent.”

“Didn’t he just go to beauty school like anyone else?”

“Not everyone comes out with the same techniques.”

Linus shook his head and snorted. “Oh, so it’s his techniques you’re interested in. Gotcha.”

Geoff merely chuckled.