Where We Belong (A Touch of Fate #1)(16)

“Jesus Christ,” he mumbles. “On what?”

“You have to come cook for Max and me.”

“Done.”

"This Wednesday."

"Done."

“And you have to make that spectacular cheesecake thingy that I love.”

“Done.”

“Good. Then I forgive you," I reply, silently smiling to myself, knowing good and well that I would have forgiven him without the dinner and dessert.



SHRUGGING INTO MY LAB coat, I walk up to Cindy's door, knock twice, and let myself in. "Hey, boss! Where do you want me today?"

Cindy and I started working here at the same time. Last year she was promoted to the position of staff coordinator, and I couldn't be more proud of her.

"I'm not your boss," she replies swiftly, "but that does have a nice ring to it." Cocking her head to the side, she gives me a cheeky grin and continues typing furiously on her keyboard. "Okay. Done with that," she says, closing her laptop and leaning back in her chair. She gestures for me to sit and I do, tossing my bag on the floor and setting my tea on her desk.

"It is way too early to be as busy as your are," I say with a chuckle.

She rolls her eyes. "Tell me about it! I had some call-offs today, so I had to move a few people around. It's going to be one of those days."

Reaching into my bag, I grab the pager that I’m required to carry and slip it into the pocket of my scrub jacket. Looking up, I find Cindy watching me. Her gaze appears both worried and hopeful.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I ask, instantly suspicious.

"Because you're going to hate me."

"Hmmm...try me."

"I'm putting you in the ER." Scrunching her nose, she cringes, awaiting my reaction.

Throwing my head back against the wall, I growl loudly.

"See, I knew you'd be upset."

I know, I'm a grown adult that's whining like a two-year-old, but I really hate the ER. You never know what's going to walk through the door, so I guess it’s really the unknown that I hate. It could be something fairly simple like a broken arm or someone needing stitches. Or it could be a mom, dad, or child just pulled from a car accident, barely alive and on the verge of coding. I. Hate. It.

Reaching for my tea, I sit up and take a drink. "No, not upset," I reply pointedly. “After all, it is my job. I just really, really hate the ER. It's so depressing and it's such a fast-paced environment. I just feel like I don't do well there."

"Nonsense," she says, waving her hand dismissively. "You're a great nurse, the staff down there absolutely loves you, and the head Doc down there adores you. Every time you work there, he raves about how good you are with the patients."

"Ha!" I snort. "I'm not sure it's my nursing skills that he adores as much as it is my ass in these scrubs."

She grins at me and shrugs. "Can't blame him there. It is a great ass."

"Alright, as much I'd love to sit here and discuss the fabulousness that is my ass all day, I really better get to work."

Standing up, she walks around her desk and gives me a quick hug. "Thanks for not hating me...oh! Can you take this with you down to the ER and give it to Nikki for me?" Reaching under her desk, she comes back up holding a large box.

"Sure thing." I grab my bag and throw the strap across my shoulder. I wrap my arms around the large box and then Cindy picks up my cup of tea, waving it around. "Want me to throw this away?"

"Are you crazy?" I scoff. "That's my fix! I need my sweet tea!"

Laughing, she helps me take hold of my beloved tea. Hurrying in front of me, she props the door open with her foot. "Be careful. Oh, and don't drop the box!" she yells at my retreating back.

"Ha! Be careful? Is this some kind of trap? I feel like you are setting me up for failure," I yell at her over my shoulder while continuing for the elevator. Angling my body to the left, I manage to hit the 'down' button with my pinky. "You owe me!" I shout as the elevator door dings and her laughter fills the air.

Peeking around the edge of the box, I make sure that no one is coming before stepping out of the elevator and toward the ER.

"Harley? Is that you?" I can't see Rosie, but I'd know that sweet voice anywhere.

"Yup, it's me, Rosie! Can you get the door for me?" I can hear her feet shuffle across the floor just before the door opens. "Thank you so much!"

"Whatcha got there?"

"I'm not really sure," I reply, continuing down the hall. "I'm just delivering it to Nikki."

"Well, she's back in her office. Just be careful…that box is too big. You're going to fall and break an arm."

"Well," I holler over my shoulder, "at least I'm in the right place if that happens."

Damn, this box is heavy. Cindy is going to owe me for—“OOMPH!" I hear a light grunt as the sudden, unexpected impact causes me to stumble back and drop my tea in the process. I can hear the liquid gush across the floor, and I cringe at my lost sugar high.

"I'm so sorry. Please tell me I didn't bathe you in my tea," I plead as two hands reach out to remove the box from my grasp.