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Dr. Suri sighed. “There are no rules against fraternization outside of work here. It’s not my favorite thing, but it’s not grounds for termination. And I’m aware that we work long hours and many of us live on campus. Entanglements are bound to happen.”
Marin’s heartbeat pounded against her ribs and her palms were sweaty, but she liked how this was sounding. “So I’m not getting let go?”
“No, Dr. Rush. Your job is safe. Though, you will continue on your probation period.”
Marin nodded, relief like a waterfall through her. “Of course. Thank you so much. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate another chance.”
“I?
??m impressed with your work. Keep that up and you should be fine.”
The thrill of knowing her job was safe quickly crashed when she thought about the rest of the equation. “What about Donovan?”
Suri shifted, her chair squeaking. “That’s up to him.”
Marin frowned. “What do you mean?”
She tilted her head. “Dr. West came in here yesterday and said he’d crossed a line he shouldn’t have in his position, and he tendered his resignation. He made me promise I wouldn’t dismiss you from your job for his mistake.”
“What? He told me you put him on suspension.”
“Did he now? Interesting.” Suri adjusted her glasses and her lips twitched into a sardonic half-smile. “I probably shouldn’t say this. If you repeat it, I will deny every word.”
Marin stilled, not sure what to brace for. “Okay.”
“Despite what Dr. West believes, I don’t have it out for him. I wouldn’t suspend him without solid evidence that there was wrongdoing. Donovan is one of the most brilliant doctors I’ve ever met. He’s one of the best we’ve ever had or will ever have. The way he connects with the clients is something to behold. He could go all the way to the top here. But he is a man obsessed. Work is everything to him, his clients his only focus. Nothing stands between that. Which could be a good thing in many situations but bad in others. And he has driven me up a wall and back with his continuous refusal to compromise with others. My job here is often as referee, making sure everyone is getting along so that this place can run like one team with a common goal. But all Donovan’s focused on is his department and how he wants to run it. He couldn’t manage to have a partner on his wing because he chased everyone off. The X-wing is his baby and that’s just how it was going to be.
“But yesterday, that man who would never let anyone or anything come between him and his work, who has been fighting like a pit bull for a promotion since last year, lied to me and gave up the one thing he cared the most about—his job. He gave it all up without hesitation in order to protect you.” She shook her head. “And then you came in here, knowing you could secure your job by throwing him under the bus and you didn’t.”
Marin couldn’t even register the words. They weren’t assembling in the right order in her head.
“So though I don’t approve of what I walked in on yesterday, I at least can see that it’s more than a fly-by-night dalliance.” She gave Marin a sage look. “Love is a powerful thing. Even the strongest of us can have a hard time resisting the pull of it. So don’t be too hard on yourself, Dr. Rush. And don’t be too hard on him. I’ve never seen that cocky man so wholeheartedly undone.” Her smile went wide. “I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed it.”
Marin had to laugh at the pure joy on the older woman’s face even though her heart was splintering inside her chest. Donovan had given up what he loved most to save her. Then he’d torn her to pieces to make sure she didn’t hook her lifeboat to what he saw as his sinking ship.
“So, if you can convince Dr. West to take back his resignation and you plan to continue this relationship, all I ask is that there is full disclosure. Scandal is in the secrets. I don’t like scandal at my institute,” she said, her tone leaving no space for argument. “So if you’re going to date, you be open about it. You make sure it does not interfere with your work. And though you can still shadow Donovan for training, someone from the couples wing will be assigned as your official mentor.”
Marin looked down at her hands, all of the information whirling around, slashing through her. “Thank you, doctor, for your understanding. But I don’t think it’s going to be an issue. Donovan ended things yesterday.”
Suri was quiet for a moment and then let out a beleaguered sigh. “Oh, men.”
Marin looked up at that.
“Go talk to him. I bet you can make him see things in a different light.” Dr. Suri sniffed. “I don’t know why men get it in their heads that they need to rescue us. We do just fine handling things ourselves. And you, Dr. Rush, are no damsel in distress who needs saving. Tell him to get over his martyr complex and that if he doesn’t take back that resignation, I’m giving the X-wing to Dr. Rhodes. That’ll get his attention.”
Marin smoothed her hands over her skirt and nodded. She was glad Suri had a positive outlook about all this, but all she felt was dread inside. Maybe Donovan had tossed himself into the fire to save her. But the way they’d left things . . . she wasn’t sure if there was any getting through to him.
He’d already written his life sentence and he was determined to live it. Alone.
But she wasn’t one to walk away easily or give up. She’d give it one more shot. That’s about all her pride had left.
But when she made her way across campus and knocked on Donovan’s door, there was no answer. No car. And no sign of him.
She knocked again, not even sure why she was bothering, why she was going to leave herself exposed like this again, when a voice came from behind her. “He already left.”
The familiar voice sent a rush of anger right through her. Marin spun around, clashing gazes with Elle McCray. “Stalking him now?”
McCray tucked her hands in her lab coat and glanced toward the horizon, lips in a thin line. “I came to apologize actually.”
