Page 137 of Asystole

“Yes, ma’am. It’s an honor,” Chase says, getting choked up.

Even after everything we’ve been through in such a short amount of time, I’m not sure I ever understood just how much of a dream working in pediatrics was for him. But I get it now, as his eyes fill with tears of joy and gratitude.

“I believe you met my niece on a recent vacation. Camille spoke very highly of you, and I must admit, high praise from Camille is in short supply. I assumed you had made quite an impression, but then she directed me toward the news segment you were featured in, and I started to get a clearer picture. I’m sorry for not calling sooner, but I wanted to reach out to Declan Porter before making an offer. Poaching another program’s residents isn’t a good look.”

Chase flashes me a worried glance. We both know Dr. Porter isn’t his biggest fan.

“Um,” Chase stutters.

“He made me an interesting proposition,” Dr. Kelley goes on to say, keeping Chase and me hanging in the balance on her every word. “He wants your boyfriend back.”

“Excuse me?!” Chase says, echoing my thoughts.

Sarah laughs on the other end of the line.

“I don’t think that came out quite right. Declan told me your boyfriend had recently been let go for disobeying orders and retrieving a patient after he’d been grounded.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Chase answers, and I swear to God, if my subordination costs Chase the job of his dreams, I’ll tie my own noose.

“Well, Declan admires that spirit. One who still puts the patient first. He said he saw it in you as well, and feels trauma is losing a very capable and compassionate surgeon due to your recent choice, but he’ll happily let you go with a stellar, personal recommendation, if you could convince your boyfriend to return to Boston Memorial as their Life Flight pilot.”

I swear Chase stops breathing.

Staring at me without blinking, Chase says, “Logan just accepted a position with the Coast Guard, so I’m sorry, but he⁠—”

“Yes, I can!” I blurt.

Chase quirks a brow at me.

“I can do it,” I repeat. “I’ll have to negotiate the schedule and a few of the rules, but I can make it work, Chase. Tell her I’ll do it.”

Sarah hears me, of course, since she’s on speakerphone, and I hear her chuckle in response to my outburst.

“Wonderful. The four of us will meet Thursday afternoon at two p.m.”

“That sounds—wait,” Chase says. “I’m so sorry, Dr. Kelley, but I can’t do two.”

I look at Chase like he’s just lost his damn mind and hold my arms up.

Why not?

Dr. Kelley must be waiting for his explanation as well because she stays silent, and finally, Chase explains.

“There’s a little girl who was declared NEAD right before we left on this wonderfully disastrous trip. She’s being discharged Thursday afternoon, and I’ve waited two years to see this little girl walk out of the hospital. I can’t miss my Marcy Bear getting to go home.”

Oh Christ. Why is my fucking face wet?

“I understand completely, Dr. Matthews. Perhaps ten a.m. would suit you better?”

“Yes, ma’am. Thank you.”

“I’ll come to you all. See you Thursday.”

Chapter 50

Chase

“Ithink I’m going to shit my pants,” I tell Logan as we round the final corner before making our way to the conference room where our futures will be decided.