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“You included.”
He buried his nose in the sweet-smelling, straightened strands of her hair.
“What are you getting recognized for?” she asked. “Delilah didn’t tell me.”
“Those of us receiving awards don’t know,” he explained. “Our attendance is only requested to make sure we’re here.”
“It’s probably the highest achievement in the room.”
“There’s an award for being your husband?”
She snickered. “Good one. I like that.”
“I’m charming when I want to be.”
The awards ceremony began.
Several presenters went to the front of the room to give speeches or talk about new research being conducted at the hospital as well as noteworthy research outcomes. They talked about department funding and notable grants, including the two received from the O.B. Sinclair Corporation’s foundation. Lucas listened with half of an ear, more concerned about the warm-skinned woman leaning against him.
Adam left the table and went up to the podium, giving him a pat on the shoulder as he walked by. Delilah and several other attendees left their tables to join them.
“We don’t know why he puts up with us here at Hopkins, knowing he could go work in the White House or something,” Adam began with a slight laugh. “The next physician we’re recognizing is a true leader. He’s a patient advocate. He collaborates seamlessly with oncologists, radiologists, and speech therapists to provide comprehensive care for his patients. His presence here alone has brought millions of dollars in funding to the university, and when he’s not saving the world, he’s starting and leading clinical trials to test novel therapies for head and neck diseases.”
Faces started to become familiar, and if he wasn’t mistaken, they appeared to be students of his from prior cohorts.
Raina slid her fingers between his.
Each student said their piece, and with each student who spoke, she held him tighter. He was a dick to his students. From what he understood, they feared him. However, it appeared fearing him didn’t mean hating him.
Finally, Delilah stepped forward, clearing her throat before she spoke. “Dr. S is more than the best instructor I’ve ever had, hands down. He’s my mentor. He’s my friend. He’s the person who helps me keep my head on straight when I start to question why I made the decision to become a doctor. He’s taught me that there’s more to medicine than prestige and that, when you have a skill, there’s pride in using it to help others because you never know who you might inspire. I’m not a doctor yet, but I know he’s already made me a better one. And now,” she gestured, “he’s my brother-in-law.”
Everyone in the room turned to their table.
Raina held up her left hand, and he kissed each of her warm knuckles to a room full of applause. Then she stood, and when he tried to help her, she told him she had “the strength for this part.”
One of the servers hurried over and handed her a microphone, and as he stared up at her, in awe, she smiled down at him, bracing herself with one hand on his shoulder.
“Lucas, when Delilah told me that you would be getting this award today, not even a fever would have stopped me from being with you in this moment,” she said. “You change lives, Lucas. I know you don’t realize it, but you’ve changed your students’ lives…and you’ve changed mine in so many more ways than I’ll ever be able to tell you. I’m proud of you, sweetheart, and I love you. I love you so, so much.”
While his throat shrunk, his heart soared. “I love you too,” he said.
Delilah continued. “It’s my honor to present the Samhita Surgical Pioneer Distinguished Leaders and Innovators Award to my mentor, brother-in-law, and friend, Dr. Lucas Saraci.”
The room erupted in applause.
As he rose to his feet, Raina cradled his jaw and whispered, “Congratulations…Pookie.”
He searched her eyes, bent, and brushed his lips over hers, not giving a damn if he got her flu. Then he eased back, searched her eyes again, and pressed his lips to hers a second time, until she smiled and broke the kiss and nudged him to go and accept his award.
With great effort, he put one foot in front of the other. When he arrived on the stage, he hugged all the students, but when he came to Delilah, he kissed her hair and squeezed her tight.
“Congratulations, Dr. S,” she said.
“Thank you, Lilah.”
He went to the podium but only looked in one direction throughout his speech. Into one pair of eyes. He was literally standing in a room where everyone agreed that he was good at what he did, one of the best, but all he could think about was getting off the stage to kiss Raina again. To take her home, hold her close, and nurse her back to health.
“I’m not a man of many words,” he began.
