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She pursed her lips, but the expression was closer to a smile than a scowl. I’d definitely take it. Clearly Cassidy Croft appreciated awesome alliteration.
I seized the opportunity. “It seems you’re tentative about taking on the task force title.”
“Suppose you could say so.”
“Might it be me that’s making you...” I searched for another M word. “Have misgivings?”
“Maybe.” She allowed a little laugh.
“Then maybe I can mitigate matters.”
We’d have to see how long I could keep this up. Dr. Croft slid the strawberry lavender donut toward herself and gestured for me to go right ahead.
My gaze dropped to the gap in the wall between us left by the strawberry lavender donut. I hoped that was a sign I was getting past her defenses.
“Perhaps you could present the prickly points,” I suggested.
“Your privilege prompts potential problems—and qualms and questions about qualifications.”
I raised my eyes to hers again, and this time I did let a smile fight its way through. “I’m acquainted with your qualifications; quite adequate.”
“Cute quip.” The gleam in her gaze looked like she was ready to attack again, and I actually didn’t hate it. I was kind of looking forward to it. But first she took a bite of the strawberry lavender donut—and then she was lost for a moment, enjoying the sweet treat with her whole being.
“Looks lovely,” I said.Please, please, please like me, I didn’t say. (Vibes.)
She lifted the donut as if pretending to clink a glass with me. “Qualification query? Alliteration optional.”
I threw a hand against my chest and gave a mock sigh of relief. “I was scrambling to think how to alliterate Master’s in Community Health and Prevention Research.”
Her eyebrows lifted, her curiosity genuinely piqued by all appearances. “Where did you study?”
“Stanford.”
“And do you have any experience?”
I nodded. “Worked my way up, seven years with Napa County Public Health.”
“You—” She cut herself off. Maybe stopping another barb. “What did you do there?”
“Community health, communicable disease, Project Frontline hospital liaison. You know, public health work.”
She exaggerated an eye roll and finished her donut with a flourish.
“What about you?” I asked. “Do you do much with healthcare-associated infections?”
“Yeah, but we’re not here to talk about me.”
“We could.” I tried to show how sincerely I meant that in my tone. This wasn’t just about trying to get a task done for work, as important as that was.
I really did want her to like me. Please, please, please.
I couldn’t tell if it was working. Dr. Croft’s expression remained impassive as she sipped her sparkling water. “What made you choose public health?” she asked.
I shifted in my seat. I had an interview answer, academic, prepared, cold, but that wasn’t likely to move Dr. Croft.
So I went with the truth. “There was an outbreak of measles at my boarding school.”
Whatever goodwill I’d garnered evaporated. “Your boarding school?”
