ELIZABETH

The halls of Atlanta Hope don’t feel as empty now that Caden and I are talking every day. I’m moving from case to case with a noticeable smile that people have remarked upon. I’m keeping mum for now. Except with Gwen.

Alone in the doctor’s break room, I’m talking with her on the phone. “It’s in the early stages. You never know how a long-distance thing can go.”

She laughs, “Ever the realist. What is your heart telling you?”

“That I want him back in Georgia!”

“I hate to break it to you, but we kind of like him here.”

Sighing I close my eyes and picture his face as we said goodbye a week ago. He’d just gotten the call that his brother was on his way to the Sundance Film Festival that takes place in Park City Utah at the end of every January, and he’d planned a romantic plane trip with his girlfriend that had us both in awe. Caden’s smile was huge, and it diminished in the cutest way when he realized I had to go. I saw how much he cares about me in every thing he did during my short visit.

“Gwen, don’t make me move to Chicago.”

“I would love for you to!”

“Yes, but…” I trail off, smoothing a stubborn crease in my coat. “We’re taking this one day at a time.”

“He talks about you.”

“Yes, I know.”

“Do you? He said how much he won’t shut up about his girlfriend? I think he’s entertained by the fact that you can’t share the news but he can—no strings here.”

“I’m thinking of coming out with it. I’d like to tell Janet just to watch her show an emotion. The only time I’ve seen one was when she was pissed.” Chuckling I mutter, “I’m kidding. I don’t care what she thinks. Truth is, I’m not saying anything because I still don’t believe we’re actually doing this. Never would I have imagined that Caden and I would get along so well. You have no idea what it was like at first. Or forever…until recently.”

“Pent up sexual frustration will do that,” she replies with a wink in her voice. “From what I’ve experienced of him, and knowing you so well, of course you clashed. You’re both strong personalities. Neither one of you would ever be called docile.”

“True.” Pivens strolls into the break room as I say, “I miss him.”

Ears perk in my direction, and I can’t take the words back. Pivens and I lock eyes. He heads for the coffee machine, but the way he’s moving is suddenly self-conscious.

“I’m very happy for you, Liz. The only thing I regret is only seeing you for about a half hour! Come back and visit him, so I can be selfish and steal you for some girl time.”

“We’re talking about it.” Keeping things vague since I’m no longer alone, I remind her, “Hard to coordinate schedules.”

“You don’t have to explain to me! I get it!”

“I’ve gotta get back to work.”

“Okay,” she replies. “Call anytime. I love to hear about this. Since I am personally responsible!”

Laughing I start to hang up, but remember, “Gwen! You there?”

“Still here!”

“I forgot my—”

“—Your jacket in our car. I have been meaning to send it.”

“Thank you. It’s one of my favorites.”

“I’ll ask David to bring it to the post office tomorrow.”

“I love you.”

She pauses, “Aww, I love you, too, Liz!”

We say goodbye and I exhale on a smile, sliding the phone into my white coat pocket.

Pivens walks his coffee to a separate table like he’s got me on his mind. He has many cases to handle—I’m sure I’m just being paranoid.

Clearing my throat I start to leave.

His voice stops me cold. “You been to the Seventh Floor recently?”

Turning on my heel, I lock eyes with our head oncologist, so quiet and mature he’s the last person I’d expect to reveal if he knew something about Caden and I. The man never gets involved in drama, gossip, or anything that might distract him from his main focus.

Shocked, I blink, “Sorry?”

“You should go there now.”

I frown, heart pounding. “Why would I do that?”

“They’ve finished construction.”

“I know. We reopen that section next week. So what do I care?”

“I have reason to believe you do care.”

Shoving my hands in my pockets since he has knowledge I wish he hadn’t, I dryly inform him, “Pivens, I think they’ve done just fine without me.”

Steam rises as he takes a sip. “Have they?”

Irritated and defensive, I head for the exit, deciding he can go fuck himself if he’s going to shame me, or guilt me, or blackmail me, or whatever his game is!

“Myers!”

Over my shoulder I hold his look, mine narrowed with fury. “What, Pivens?!”

“Go there.”

Swinging open the door I storm out to do my rounds. As my footsteps clomp heavily on the tile they begin to slow and I straighten up. Breaking into a run I skip the elevator and take the stairs two at a time, bursting into the newly remodeled space that should be empty since work has completed and it’s after three in the morning. Janet Gilroy gasps, and covers her naked breasts. Oberhan grunts and looks over his meaty shoulder. His eyes widen and he pulls out of her, grabbing his suit coat and covering wet genitals.

I grimace, jaw dropped as I back out, running into the door, scrambling to open it and finally bursting into the air-conditioned quiet while a puzzle whose pieces I never knew were missing rapidly fit into place one after the other.