The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

By the time Logan returned to his desk, he was quickly whisked away for surgery.

The hours that followed were spent in the operating room, allowing him to momentarily push everything else to the back of his mind.

Just like the day before, it was well into the night by the time Logan clocked out.

On his desk, he found a meal box left by Barry, accompanied by a note.

"Logan, today's dinner is delivered, insulated so you can enjoy it warm after work. Tough day, huh?"

Logan glanced at the note briefly before looking away, changing out of his scrubs to head out.

The hospital corridors were eerily quiet, so much so that Logan could hear his own breathing.

Holding the meal box, he resisted the urge to check on Faye, walking alone on the deserted path instead.

Passing by Faye's office, he noticed her belongings still there. Was she still working?

Logan faintly remembered Faye mentioning she had surgery. He lingered outside her office for a while, eventually leaving the meal box at her desk and tearing off Barry's note, leaving his name beside it. Dr. Pendleton, returning from reviewing some files, spotted Logan with his back towards her, "Haven't left yet, Logan?"

Logan was momentarily flustered but quickly regained his composure, "Just finished."

"Bringing dinner for Faye?" Dr. Pendleton's tone was teasing. Her sharp eyes had spotted the note on the table.

She hadn't expected the usually serious Logan to have such a lively side. He was quite the dark horse!

Logan glanced at the meal box, "Barry brought two, asked me to deliver it. Since it's here, I'll be off."

Dr. Pendleton didn't quite believe him, but when Logan had left and she checked, the handwriting was indeed Barry's.

be there's nothing between them? I don't

a situation in room 316, could you please check it

Faye, who had just finished for the day. Faye, surprised at finding the meal box on her desk, which looked identical to the one Logan

picked up the note,

prepared

still instinctively

box,

asleep, didn't reply to

to her dormitory, holding the meal box and scrolling through Facebook, she saw a post from Vivienne. Exiting the

Veloria, the kids smiling brightly at the camera,

looked at the comments filled with familiar names praising Vivienne's beauty and the happiness of her family, he found Faye's comment and could almost picture her expression. Logan hesitated to comment, ultimately deciding against it and pocketing his phone as he walked

to Vivienne, spotted Logan under

felt an impulse to approach him but restrained herself, believing they both needed time to cool off. So, she watched Logan

Faye again, she greeted her,

smile, "Guess it means we're both

smile faded, "Enough! I

meal box in Faye's hand, Dr. Pendleton

do you mean? This is from

him!" Dr. Pendleton recalled their encounter, "But he claimed

relief knowing it was supposedly from Barry, followed by

Pendleton, noting Faye's off

note earlier. You had me confused for a second

explanation lacked conviction, and Dr. Pendleton seemed poised to argue, but the elevator reached the third floor before

Faye hurried out of the elevator as

to her