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“Good.” He smiles.
I’m about to smile, too, but then I hear the door open, footsteps rushing in. Before I can even figure out what’s happening, the curtain opens to reveal Dr. Carver standing in its place.
“Smith – ”
The worry on her face vanishes as her eyes grow wide beneath arched eyebrows. Then they narrow. Her hands go up to her hips as her forehead creases. Her wide mouth opens.
“What the hell?”
Chapter 6 ~ Toxic
Rainier
“Dr. Carver, can I have a minute?” I try to catch up to Amelia as she walks down the corridor.
She doesn’t stop for a second or even slow down.
I stop, put my hands on my hips and speak louder. “Dr. Carver, don’t make me pull rank, because I will.”
That makes her stop in her tracks.
That’s right. Just because I wear a lab coat, people often think I’m just another doctor and forget that I also own the hospital. I don’t mind, but when I mean business, I will not be ignored.
Amelia sighs and turns around. “Yes, Dr. Knight?”
I go inside an empty patient room and hold the door open. After Amelia enters, I close it.
“You told Tom?”
“I caught an attending physician sleeping with an intern,” she answers. “I thought it was only right that I report it to the Chief.”
I scratch my forehead. “And to everyone else, apparently.”
She shakes her head. “If you’re saying I spread the word, I didn’t. You know how gossip spreads around here.”
“I know someone has to start it.”
“I didn’t.” She puts up her hands. “Why don’t you ask the people who heard me yelling outside the women’s showers? Or are you going to get mad at me for yelling?”
“I’m not getting mad at you,” I point out calmly.
Yes, I was surprised when she caught me in the shower stall with Ellis, but that’s hardly her fault. It was just a combination of the best intentions and being in the wrong place at the wrong time. And I understand why she told Tom. I just wanted to know if she did so I won’t be surprised when he calls me to his office as soon as he comes back from his out-of-state conference, which I now have no doubt he’ll do. More importantly, I wanted to make sure Amelia didn’t let this issue, which she seems to be taking a bit too personally, affect her duties as a doctor at my hospital.
“If anything, I think the one getting mad here is you,” I tell Amelia as I cross my arms over my chest. “Why is that?”
“Because it’s wrong for an attending physician to sleep with an intern,” she answers. “It’s unethical, it’s unprofessional, it’s unfair, all of which you should know. The fact that you own this hospital doesn’t change any of that. If anything, it makes it worse.”
“Would it help if I said the first time I had sex with her was not here at the hospital and that I didn’t know she worked here?”
Amelia shakes her head.
I thought so.
She touches her chin. “Wait. You had sex with her before. You…”
She twirls a finger, then points it at me as the puzzle pieces in her head fit.
“Thanksgiving. That was you?”
“And you,” I tell her. “You were the one who told her to loosen up and get laid, right?”
“Yes, but I didn’t mean…” She stops and waves a finger at me. “Don’t you dare put this on me, Knight.”
“I’m just saying you’re not entirely innocent.”
She gasps in disbelief. I scratch my chin.
“Hmm. Maybe that’s why you’re mad. Maybe you feel guilty.”
“I do not,” she protests adamantly.
I shrug. “At any rate, it’s done. And it’s just sex, not the end of the world.”
Sex I didn’t plan on, but I have to say that’s the best kind.
I look into her eyes. “I trust that you, Smithson and I will continue to be able to work together to save lives at this hospital.”
For a moment, Amelia holds my gaze and says nothing. Then she lets out a deep breath.
“Of course, sir.”
“Good.” I open the door. “That’s all, Dr. Carver. You may go.”
She leaves the room without another word. I stay for a few seconds longer before walking down the corridor. Just like earlier, I can feel the stares of nurses, other doctors and members of the staff sending daggers into my back. I can almost hear what they’re thinking.
What? He sleeps with interns now? Surely he could find someone outside the hospital. Why Smithson? Is she going to get all the best surgeries now? Is she going to get a raise? It’s so unfair. Why couldn’t it be me?
I don’t give a damn.
“If you have time to stare, do something else that might help save a life,” I say without looking at any of them. “That’s what you’re here for, people.”
A second later, I hear the rustle of papers and the clicking of computer keys. I grin.
