Surprise Delivery(79)

I shrug. “There were a lot of hoops to jump through and legal red tape to making this thing a reality,” I say. “I didn’t want to get anybody’s hopes up until I knew it was going to be a reality.”

“H – how are you going to fund this clinic?” she asks. “I mean, that’s not going to be cheap.”

I laugh. “Damn right it’s not,” I say. “If there’s one thing being forced to head up the One-Percent Unit’s taught me, it’s that I’m one hell of a fundraiser. I’ve been quietly making some inquiries to potential donors and have commitments from quite a few already.”

“Wow, you really have been working hard behind the scenes.”

I nod. “That’s what I do.”

“Wow,” she repeats, popping a fry into her mouth. “I can’t believe that. Congratulations, Duncan.”

“It’s not quite a reality yet,” I say. “I want to put together an all-star team to work the clinic. I want top-notch care for anybody who comes through the doors, regardless of income.”

“I’m sure you know quite a few –”

“As tempting as it is, I’m going to do my best to not poach from the hospital. At least, not too heavily,” I laugh. “I need to keep my privileges there for this all to work out. At least, in the beginning.”

“Well, where are you going to get this roster of all-stars?”

“That question brings me to my second point,” I say. “When you say yes to my proposition –”

“Oh, when I say yes,” she teases. “Pretty confident there, aren’t you?”

I give her an enigmatic grin. “Of course, I am. It’s just part of who I am,” I say.

“Yeah, I’ve noticed that about you,” she says and laughs.

I take a sip of my iced tea and put the glass back down on the table. “So, when you say yes to the job, there is one condition attached.”

“I’m all ears, lover boy,” she says and gives me a goofy grin. “But I swear to God, if you say daily blowjobs, I’ll cut your balls off with this butter knife.”

I laugh and shake my head. “Weekly blow jobs will be fine.”

She giggles and throws a fry at me. “Pig.”

“Guilty as charged.”

I love moments like this – moments where we can just sit and laugh, make inappropriate jokes, and just be ourselves. It seems like such a rare thing nowadays. As a doctor, I’m expected to be one way, as one of the city’s wealthy elite, I’m expected to be the other way. I’ve always feel like I have to put on airs or pretenses just to appease this group or that group. I spend most of my days feeling like a stranger in my own skin and it drives me up a fucking wall.

When I’m with Alexis, though, all pretenses fade away and there’s no need to put on airs. She cares for and accepts me just as I am. Yeah, she still gives me shit about being a closet Star Wars fanboy, but it’s all good-natured ribbing. She isn’t actually trying to run me down. Around Alexis, I can just be myself and it’s such a liberating, amazing feeling. It’s something I want to hold onto as tight as I can. It’s something I never want to let go.

“So, what is this condition?” she asks.

“The condition is that as you work as my office assistant, you will also be attending classes to finish out your nursing degree,” “Once you’ve completed your degree, you will come to work in the clinic. And to pay off your cost of tuition, you will sign a contract binding you to the clinic for two years.”

It’s a bit of a gamble, I know. Alexis is so headstrong and independent, I can see her saying no just because to her, this probably will feel like charity or a handout. And she’s such a proud woman that she won’t let herself do it. Won’t let herself do the right and smart thing for her and her daughter.

“Duncan, I don’t –”

“Don’t answer me today. I know it’s a lot to process, so take a little time and think about it,” I interrupt. “Just know that this isn’t charity, Alexis. This is a business transaction. Plain and simple.”

She shakes her head. “Why would you go out on a limb for me like that?”

“Personally, I see it as a sound investment,” I answer truthfully. “I know how smart you are. And I know what a fantastic nurse you are going to make. Being able to get you working in my clinic for two years? That’s an incredible return on the initial investment. I believe in you, Alexis. I really believe you are going to do great things. I’m just glad I get to play a small role in it.”

“Small role?” she asks. “You’re pretty much the writer, director, producer, and leading man.”

“Leading man. Yeah, I like the sound of that,” I say and cut a ridiculously cheesy pose designed to make her laugh.

It has the effect I wanted, and she laughs, but when she looks up at me, I see something in her eyes. Her green eyes, normally dazzling on their own, are shimmering even more than usual. It’s then I realize she’s got tears welling in them. I reach across the table and take her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

“Thank you, Duncan,” she says quietly. “Nobody’s ever had this kind of faith in me before.”

“Then they’re fools. Because I see just how great you can be – how great you are, and are going to be,” I say. “It’s a big decision, so just promise me that you’ll think it over.”