He smirks, walking out. “Who doesn’t love cake? Let me show you where everything is in the kitchen.”
We stroll around while he familiarizes me with his home. Which way to turn the dial in the shower to get hot water since the labels are backwards. Don’t use this coffee cup—it’s Oz’s and the only thing he’s possessive over. Food is generally our own, so buy what I want and don’t eat theirs.
“That’s pretty much it. You want to go for a drink tonight to celebrate?” He sees my expression. “Never mind. You’ve got your first day. Sorry. Just excited you’re here.”
We stare at each other, and I go in for a hug, smacking his back as he grips me with all the time we’ve missed. “Thanks for this.” We separate. “If I didn’t have family here, I would have been a lot more homesick. I’m going to unpack what I brought. Get settled.”
“I’ll be working in my room. Oz and I both have our desks in our bedrooms so we can keep our own hours.”
“Perfect. Because mine will be nuts, too. What are you working on?”
He pauses on his way, the light from a floor lamp tracing his strong jaw. “Logo for a startup. A female entrepreneur who got funding for her online shop. It’s really cool. I love innovators. Too much of the same going around. I’ll be in here if you need anything.”
He disappears, but as I’m about to close my door (my door? How weird is this? I’m in Chicago. How did this happen?), Kian pops back into the frame.
“Caden, what was I thinking? You’ve gotta be hungry. I’ll order something for us. Delivery. Sound good?”
“Has to be pizza.”
He heads away. “That’s how we’ll celebrate!”
“Pepperoni!”
“Get ready for greatness!”
I stare at his empty door, thinking, that’s what I’m here for.
Watch out Oberhan.
I’ll become so good word will spread.
Don’t care how long it takes me.
I’ll make my mark.
CHAPTER 31
ELIZABETH
A text from Gwen sparks my blood. It’s been five days since Caden started at Chicago Peak Hospital. Gwendolyn, a true friend, has been trying to take Caden’s emotional temperature, hoping to gain insight into how he feels about me.
I got weak—or brave—and sent him another message on the day of his orientation but he didn’t reply.
Again.
Fucking painful.
Last night I got this from Gwen:
He keeps avoiding the subject of you.
I have my phone set to private, so I can’t see today’s message until I open the window. The time between reading her name and discovering what she has to say inspires a dangerous pulse-rate.
Blinking rapidly I read her message and it’s just two words:
Not good.
Shoving the phone into the deep pockets of my crisp, white coat I chew my lips and shake my head all the way to the ER. “Anything come in?” I ask Sharon upon entering.
While tidying up, she informs me, “Slow afternoon.”
“I’ll be in the break room.”
“Okay.”
Pulling out my phone as I exit, I text Gwen:
How do you mean?
As I walk past empty gurneys lining the brightly-lit corridor, it beeps the reply:
I flat out asked him if he’d talked to you. He shrugged and said, “No desire to.”
My lips part.
I stop walking.
Another text appears:
I’m sorry, Liz.
Sighing, helpless, I continue my long day.
CHAPTER 32
ELIZABETH
A few days later I’m approaching one of the nurse’s stations and accidentally overhear Sharon and Ray talking about Caden. I step back since they didn’t see me. I don’t want them to know I’m eavesdropping.
Sharon: “What I hate is that she won.”
Ray: “Janet? Oh me too! You know how many times I caught her in his rooms? Too many.”
Sharon: “What was she doing in there?”
Ray: “His work. Then making it look like he slacked off. But I caught her running between them, beating him on purpose!”
Sharon: “Did you call her on it?”
Ray: “I didn’t want to get involved.”
Sharon: “Me neither. It’s just sad. I really liked him.”
I grimace, turning on my heel and making a beeline to the Chief’s executive assistant who looks up as I approach. “Hi, Elizabeth.”
“Camille, can I ask a question?”
She straightens on her swivel chair. “Of course.”
Glancing around to ensure we’re alone, I lock eyes with her. “Has Janet ever come here for any weird reason?”
Camille’s eyes flicker. “Why?”
“Just wondering if you saw anything the second-years aren’t supposed to be doing. They’re supposed to report to us, first.”
“Yes, I know.”
“Chief is busy.”
“He is.”
Hoping I’m not shooting myself in the foot here, I add, “So I’ve been doing a survey to make sure Dr. Gilroy is coloring within the lines. I have word that she’s been stepping over them. And we both know you’re the eyes and ears of this hospital.”
Camille leans forward. But then she relaxes into the chair and picks up her pen. “No.”
I lean over the desk, whispering, “C’mon Camille. I know you want to tell me.”
“I want to tell someone!” She glances to her boss’s empty office. Locking eyes with me she keeps her volume secrecy-low. “Look, I’m sorry, but I just can’t.”
Huffing through my nose, I stare at Oberhan’s door. I’m positive Janet came up here to snitch on Caden or maybe even invent things to use against him. What the hell is her problem? But I can’t force anyone to speak when their loyalty is elsewhere.
“Right. Okay. Thank you, Camille.”
“Have a good day!” She nervously says and goes back to work.
CHAPTER 33
ELIZABETH
A t our local coffee shop Janet smiles, “Dr. Myers, I haven’t seen you come in here for almost three weeks.”
My voice is flat as I grab my mocha latte. “I’ve been avoiding running into you outside of work where unfortunately I have no choice.” Skipping my beloved cinnamon, I head for the door.
Drop it.
Leave me be.
Keep snaking your way up.
Without my help.
But for some reason she picks this drizzly morning to have a conscience, if I can credit her with one. Probably more like she’s figured out that I’m onto her game now. Or maybe she’s just concerned for her
