Chapter Three

The day had started on a sour note for Jason Miller, but he didn’t realize just how sour it would get until he accidentally spilled cake all over Dr. Vincent Maloney. The incident replayed in his mind like a bad dream, leaving a trail of embarrassment that lingered long after the frosting had been cleaned off. Vincent’s piercing, cold glare had cut through Jason like a blade, and his clipped reprimand still echoed in his ears.

Jason had gone back to the ER afterward, throwing himself into the rush of patients and endless paperworks in a futile attempt to forget about it. But no amount of adrenaline or distraction could erase the image of Vincent’s rigid frame, his jaw set in irritation, or the unmistakable hatred in his voice.

To Vincent Maloney, Jason felt like nothing more than a nuisance, someone barely worth acknowledging except, of course, when he was scolding him. Jason hated how much that stung, though he would never admit it to anyone but himself.

By the end of the shift, Jason was yet to make any sense of Vincent. Their interactions remained stilled, cold, and distant. Whenever their paths crossed in the hallway or near the nurse’s station, Vincent barely glanced his way, or worse, threw him a look of thinly veiled frustration. And yet, for reasons Jason couldn’t quite explain, he couldn’t stop thinking about the man.

While Jason was busy wiping down an exam room, Bella approached him with her signature look of concern. “You okay, Jason? she asked, leaning against the counter.

He forced a smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just... tired.

Bella tilted her head, unconvinced. “And Vincent? How’s that going?”

Jason huffed, shaking his head. “Same as always. He’s a walking migraine.

The words were meant to sound lighthearted, but there was an edge to Jason’s tone that even he couldn’t ignore. Vincent’s coldness was starting to get to him, and he hated that it bothered him as much as it did.

Bella’s eyebrows shot up. “You let him get to you way too much, she said, her tone gentle but firm. “You know he’s just... grumpy. And probably overworked.

Jason let out a dry laugh. “Overworked? sure. But grumpy doesn’t even begin to cover it. He’s like a human statue, frozen, solid and probably allergic to happiness.

Bella laughed, but her gaze softened. “Maybe he just needs a reason to loosen up. Don’t take it personally, okay?

Jason wanted to brush off her words, but he couldn’t shake the thought. He had encountered plenty of men like Vincent before, emotionally unavailable, guarded, and impossible to read. Yet there was something different about Vincent, something that kept Jason’s curiosity hooked. It was in the way Vincent’s jaw clenched when Jason was near or the fleeting looks he gave when he thought no one was watching.

Before Jason could say anything else, the intercom buzzed to life, breaking the moment. “Miller, report to the ER triage. We’ve got a code red coming.

Jason shot Bella an apologetic look. "Duty calls."

She patted his shoulder with a reassuring smile. “You’ll survive.”

The chaotic hours that followed offered little time for Jason to dwell on Vincent or so he thought. No matter how much he tried to focus on the patients or his tasks, Vincent’s presence lingered in his mind like a stubborn shadow.

Over the next few days, Jason threw himself into his work, hoping the constant motion would dull the tension. But Vincent remained as aloof and closed off as ever, his clipped tone and pointed glances keeping Jason on edge.

Late tuesday evening, while Jason was updating charts at the nurse’s station, he spotted Vincent out of the corner of his eye. The doctor stood a few feet away, flipping through a patient’s chart with his usual air of authority. His lab coat was clean despite the long hours, and his dark hair remained perfectly in place. Jason tried not to stare, but there was something about Vincent’s presence that made it impossible to look away.

To Jason’s dismay, Vincent noticed him almost immediately. Their eyes met briefly, and Jason’s pulse quickened. He quickly moved his head, pretending to focus on the papers in front of him.

“Miller.”

The sharp tone of Vincent’s voice made Jason freeze. He looked up, forcing a casual smile. “Yeah?”

“The lab results for room 28,” Vincent said, his tone as clipped as ever. “You said you’d follow up.”

Jason straightened, meeting Vincent’s gaze. “I was about to check on that.”

“Make sure you do,” Vincent replied curtly.

Jason nodded, expecting Vincent to leave, but the doctor surprised him by stepping closer. The tension in the air was palpable, and Jason could feel his heart racing as Vincent lowered his voice slightly.

“Look,” Vincent began, his tone uncharacteristically hesitant. “I know I come off like an asshole sometimes.”

Jason blinked, caught off guard. “Sometimes?”

Vincent shot him a warning glare, but there was no real hate behind it. “You know what I mean.”

Jason tilted his head, studying Vincent with newfound curiosity. “Why are you always like this, Dr Maloney? What’s your deal?

For a moment, Vincent didn’t answer. He seemed to consider the question, his icy blue eyes narrowing in thought. When he finally spoke, his voice was softer than Jason had ever heard it. “I’m just... focused,” he said, his words measured. “I can’t afford distractions.”

Jason frowned, confused by the admission. “i am... just cautious” Vincent clarified, his voice quieter now.

Jason didn’t know what to make of Vincent’s response. It felt like a glimpse into a side of him that Vincent rarely, if ever, let anyone see. But before Jason could press further, the emergency alarm blared through the hallway, breaking the moment.

Without another word, Vincent turned and went away, his footsteps echoing in the now chaotic hallway. Jason stood there, trying to process what had just happened. For the first time, he felt like he had scratched the surface of Vincent Maloney’s carefully guarded exterior.

And he couldn’t help but wonder, what would it take to break through the rest?

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Author’s Note:

Hi, loves! Do you think Vincent will ever let Jason in, or is he too guarded? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. As always, thank you for reading. Your support means the world to me.