she was better off learning from anyone else. It seemed that lately, though, exhaustion was always muddling her brain, and she couldn’t figure out what she wanted or needed anymore.
Might as well get this over with. Of course, it was just her luck that she was on the clock and couldn’t be rude to Spence. She could at least think unladylike thoughts about him, though. There was nothing he could do about that.
“You did well in there, Sage.”
“I’d prefer you call me Dr. Banks.” Well, that might have been a tad rude, but he could suck it up.
“Why so formal? It’s not as if we don’t know each other,” he replied, not acting in the least offended by her tone and demand.
“Dr. Whitman, I’ve had a long day, and I have a much longer night ahead of me. Could you just tell me whatever it is that you have to say so I can try to grab a ten-minute break before the next disaster?”
There, that was straightforward and professional. Okay, maybe a bit catty, but his ego was large enough that he wouldn’t be offended. Plus¸ she was sure there were plenty of nurses present who’d gladly bandage any injuries she inflicted upon him. Hell, they’d kiss all his wounds and make them better.
And yet her words seemed to trigger some sort of response from him. The corners of his mouth lifted and a gleam shined in his eyes. He was enjoying this dance they seemed to be in. Truth be told, so was she, though she was fighting against it like crazy.
“Yes, your night is just beginning, isn’t it? Don’t fret, I’ll be alongside you the rest of the evening,” he said as he took a step closer, causing her to retreat automatically.
“What are you talking about?”
“Hasn’t anyone told you?”
“Told me what?” She was thoroughly confused, and with an already muddled brain, she wasn’t finding this guessing game at all enjoyable. She was used to being the smartest person in the room. But she was now surrounded by experienced medical staff and was just one of many highly intelligent people.
“I’ve just taken over as the head of the ER.” Spence waited for her reaction.
But Sage knew he wanted to see emotion in her face, could tell by the way he’d delivered the message, dragging out the drama. Well, he would be disappointed.
“Fine. I need caffeine” was all she said as she turned on her heel and strode toward the doctors’ lounge. Thankfully, they’d recently installed a beautiful espresso machine and she would never have to worry about caffeine withdrawal again while at work.
During her college years, she’d gone days and days on nothing but mocha lattes. Yes, she was a doctor, and yes, she knew she had a very poor diet, but didn’t everyone have vices of one sort or another? It wasn’t as if she smoked, did drugs, or drank much alcohol. If she wanted sugar to be her poison of choice, she dared anyone to question it. It looked like mochas would be her staple for as long as she was a doctor. Hey, there were a lot of calories in a mocha, so she didn’t have to worry about starvation—just the caffeine shakes.
Scratch that whole idea. Serious shakes weren’t a good idea at all—not if she wanted to help people. So she decided on only a small mocha coffee, then sat down and waited impatiently while Spence, who’d followed her, got his own cup. Could he be lying to her about working here permanently?
“I thought you were some big-shot doctor in Seattle.”
“I am,” he replied.
She certainly didn’t have to worry about hurting his ego. It seemed to be invulnerable. And she was getting tired of this game.
“Well, even you, Dr. Whitman, with all your superpowers, can’t be in two places at once.”
“I just accepted this job so I can be close to my dad. I will still fly to Seattle a few days of the month and do surgeries, so I’m working for both places. Like before, only switched.”
“But . . . I . . . I interviewed with Dr. Thompson. He’s my boss. He said he’d been here forever—and that he was part of the place, someone who was never going to leave.” If she said it, then it had to be true. It had to be!
“Dr. Thompson is retiring next week, actually. It’s been very hush-hush. He bought a condo in Mexico and is moving on.”