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he suggested .
`` thank you .
i 'd appreciate that . ''
`` it would be my pleasure . ''
they started out the mechanized doors to the employee parking lot .
to fill the quiet of their shoes echoing on the pavement , he said , `` i hated to hear that megan was n't feeling well . ''
`` so did i .
poor thing offered to pull a double tomorrow to make up for being gone . ''
kristi smiled .
`` she sure is going to make a fine nurse . ''
`` yes , she is . ''
`` you 've taken a special interest in her , have n't you ? ''
kristi asked .
pesh 's steps momentarily faltered , and he stumbled .
`` whatever do you mean ? ''
kristi chuckled .
`` you know exactly what i mean . ''
`` it is true that we know each other outside of the hospital , but when we 're in the er , our relationship is strictly professional . ''
`` i never said it was n't . ''
after gazing around the somewhat deserted parking lot , he shook his head .
`` what you 're alluding to between me and megan ?
nothing good can come of those types of rumors . ''
patting his arm , kristi smiled .
`` there are no rumors-merely an observation by someone who loves and admires you . ''
his brows rose in surprise .
`` you do n't disapprove ? ''
`` of course not .
i think it 's a good match for both you and her . ''
he remained silent for a few moments , contemplating her words .
`` perhaps i should call and check on her . ''
`` i think that would be a very good idea . ''
she took her keys out of her purse and motioned at the honda they were standing in front of .
`` well , this is me . ''
`` have a good night , kristi . ''
`` same to you , dr. nadeen .
and good luck . ''
he smiled .
`` thank you .
i appreciate that . ''
when he got to his car , he slid inside and took his phone out .
he scrolled through his contacts to find megan 's number .
after he dialed , he anxiously drummed his fingers on the steering wheel .
the call went to her voicemail , leaving him with a defeated feeling .
although he knew it probably was n't the best idea in the world , he decided to go to her house to check on her .
the moment he rang her parents ' doorbell he really regretted making a house call .
one of her younger brothers answered .
`` hey , what 's up ? ''
he asked .
`` hello .
i 'm dr. nadeen .
i work with megan . ''
snapping his fingers , he pointed at pesh .
`` wait , i know you .
are n't you noah 's godfather ? ''
pesh smiled .
`` yes , i am . ''
`` cool .
listen man , megan 's downstairs .
if you go around the side of the house , she has her own door . ''
`` i see .
thank you then . ''
`` no problem . ''
when the door closed , pesh debated going straight to his car .
but he knew it would look even worse if her brother told her he had been there and then he had left without seeing her .
heaving a frustrated breath , he headed off the porch .
he followed the sidewalk around the house to where it sloped down the hill .
at the side door , he knocked loudly .
when the door flew open , megan stared at him in a mixture of both surprise and horror .
`` what are you doing here ? ''
she demanded .
pesh shoved his hands in his pockets .
`` you called in sick today .
i was worried . ''
`` i 'm fine . ''
he fought the urge to say that by her disheveled appearance and dark circles under her eyes , she most certainly did n't seem fine .
`` i tried calling you , but you did n't answer .
kristi and i were worried about you . ''
her expression softened a little .
`` i 'm sorry .
i must 've forgotten to charge my phone . ''
`` can i get you something to eat ?
some soup maybe ? ''
`` really , i 'm fine . ''
`` but you look so pale .
will you let me do an exam ?
you know the flu is- '' `` i do n't have the flu . ''
`` how can you be sure if you have n't been checked ?
did you get the flu shot at the hospital ?
sometimes it can give you a mild case . ''
she shook her head and smiled .
`` i do n't have the flu .
since you 're going to keep on and on , i 'm going to go ahead and tell you .
i have really horrendous cramps with my period .
usually , i can manage them with birth control , but when i started clinicals and stopped working , i could n't afford the birth control without health insurance .
and it was n't like i was ha**ng s*x anyway . ''
while he appreciated her honesty , he was also slightly mortified .
`` oh , i see . ''
`` i 'm sorry to have embarrassed you , '' megan said .
he waved his hand dismissively .
`` listen , when you return to work tomorrow , there will be a script for you for birth control .