DARBY WAS NERVOUS AS SHE and Michael made their way through the lobby of the Hancock building, toward the elevator that would take them to The Signature Room. The Hancock building was the second tallest in Chicago and the hospital had rented out the well-known cocktail lounge on the 95th floor for its annual holiday party. The affair promised heavy hors d’oeuvres, top-shelf liquor and one of the best views of the city.
It also promised the typical sort of holiday party shenanigans Darby preferred to avoid. The awkward introduction of significant others, the small talk that pretended any of them had time for much outside of their insulated hospital-worker lives, and even worse the talk about hospital work itself. It was one thing to grab drinks with her small circle of friends after work once in a while, but quite another to endure a contrived social gathering in which scrubs were traded for cocktail attire.
She usually made an early appearance, and an early exit to an after party with her small crew, but Michael had insisted on coming. She wasn’t surprised that he was curious to meet Huck. If Michael’s boss had been described in the same way, she guessed she would have been curious to meet him, too. But since the performance review, Michael had taken an almost obsessive interest in the cast of characters at Darby’s job. He hadn’t even waited for an invitation—at her first mention of the affair, he’d insisted that he would come.
They exited the elevator with his hand at the small of her back, clearly demonstrating that they were there together but with a gesture so ambiguous that it wouldn’t be clear that they were dating. Their public conduct always held well-practiced mystery, denoting some close friendship but making it entirely unclear as to whether they were a couple. When it was just the two of them, their heat was palpable even if they were just looking at one another from twenty feet away, but in a room full of people, they simply appeared as companions and continued to introduce one another as friends.
She scanned the room for Anne, who was typically her ‘date’ for these kinds of things. She had told Darby in no uncertain terms that she was very much looking forward to meeting Michael. Darby had debated whether to tell Michael that she had revealed their arrangement to her closest girlfriend. Anne’s brazenness would give away her knowledge, Darby had decided. It would be better if Michael didn’t go in blind. She’d come clean to him the night before.
“So you’re the reason for the spring in Darby’s step,” Anne smiled knowingly after Darby had made introductions.
“I don’t know about that…” he said smoothly, shifting an adoring gaze to Darby “…but she’s the reason for the spring in mine.”
Darby’s eyes widened at the ease with which he delivered the line, and the dashing smile he aimed back at Anne a moment later. Swinging her gaze over her friend, she saw that Anne—who wasn’t even attracted to men—looked smitten. She had seen Michael’s effect on strangers before, and shouldn’t have been surprised. His looks were devastating and he had a natural charisma that simply couldn’t be faked. Yet, this was different company. Darby knew he would make an impression on her co-workers, but she saw now that she had underestimated the attention she would receive by bringing Michael to this party.
Going to work on Monday should be interesting, she thought sardonically to herself.
“I hear you’re the best labor and delivery nurse this city has ever known,” Michael continued, launching into a conversation with her friend. Darby only half paid attention as she subtly scanned the room to take stock of the situation. Present tonight would not only be the shift staff, but also hospital administrators and members of the Board, some of whom were presiding members of her grant-writing committee.
If there were one other reason why she showed up at these things, that was it—to get a bit of face time with the people whose job it was to decide whether to fund her work. She didn’t like that every grant-seeking physician used events like these to ingratiate themselves to important players. But, likability mattered, and she knew that she would have to say at least a few hellos. And that those hellos would be especially important this year, given her situation with Huck.
“Darby, daaahling…” she broke out of her reverie when she heard the unmistakable English accent. Rich swept her into a light hug and kissed her cheek, their standard greeting for social gatherings.
“Hey,” she smiled amicably. “Are we having fun yet?”
He knew how she felt about these kinds of affairs—that she came only out of obligation. Under normal circumstances, he and his wife would be members of the after party crew, but tonight was shaping up differently. For the first time in four years, Lindsay hadn’t accompanied Rich. For the first time, Darby had brought a date.
“I’ve kissed exactly five arses so far and if I’m counting right, I only have three more to go,” he admitted in his typical self-deprecating manner. “But, before I do, introduce me to your friend.”
She touched Michael’s arm.
“Michael Blaine, this is my research partner, Rich, known by some as Richard Graham Leslie Stroh the Fourth.”
“You sound like English royalty,” Michael commented good-naturedly. “What number in line are you to the throne?”
“One hundred and sixty-six, unfortunately,” Rich returned. “Though seven of the ones before me are quite old so I expect to be solidly in the one-fifties by Easter.”
Michael laughed. Darby stared in disbelief. From the way Rich said it, she knew he was telling the truth. She had known this man for nearly five years, and never known facts such as this, yet Michael had known him for five seconds and had easily gleaned real information.
“Darby, is this who you’ve been hiding from us?” he asked, looking between she and Michael with more interest than he had ever displayed. “I knew you were seeing someone, but a famous architect? I never would have thought.”
“Michael is a great friend,” she lied easily, as she had so many times before. Rich wasn’t stupid and she knew that he knew that Michael was her booty call. Still, she didn’t want to treat it as public knowledge, so she kept up the act. “I cry on his shoulder when Huck is mean to me and he cries on mine when his designs have structural inefficiencies.”
“I see,” Rich replied, looking at Michael. “Good to know. The sound of hearts breaking was audible when the two of you arrived together. The men of Northwestern Memorial will be glad to know you’re still on the market. A few women, too.” He winked at Anne.
“Keep it a secret,” Michael said conspiratorially. “Truth be told, I’m her decoy. It seems that warding off the unwelcome attention of certain colleagues has become a necessity.”
“Has it?” Rich asked, turning his eyes back to Darby. Michael was going off script and she had no idea how to respond.
“Some guys just don’t know when to give up,” Michael said lightly, placing his hand on Darby’s neck as he looked at Rich.
Darby was saved from having to speak by yet another interruption, this time from Stacey Kohl. He was in his mid-sixties, yet well-preserved with salt and pepper hair and hazel eyes. He was also the President of the hospital’s Board of Directors. She had met him in passing before, but didn’t think he knew anyone in their small group.
“Michael,” he greeted her date jovially, shaking his hand heartily as if they were old friends who hadn’t seen each other in ages.
“Stacey!” Michael greeted back enthusiastically, “It’s been awhile. How’s Sue?”
“Still singing your praises after what you did for her mother near the end,” the older man said more seriously. “And she was very touched that you came to the funeral.”
Michael nodded with appropriate somberness. Darby’s jaw wanted to drop. Michael had never mentioned that he knew the President of the Board of Directors of her hospital, arguably the most important person to have in her corner, especially given the situation with Huck.
“I didn’t know you knew Darby,” Stacey continued. “The work she’s doing around opioid treatment could be groundbreaking.” Double jaw-drop. Darby figured Stacey knew who she was, if for no reason than the fact that she was the senator’s daughter, but she was surprised that he was so familiar with her work.
“It is,” Michael agreed smoothly. “And I have more than a passing interest in it. You know medicine’s not my specialty, but it reflects the kind of divergent thinking me and my guys in Silicon Valley talk about a lot. We need to be rethinking old problems in new ways, and I think you’re well-positioned to support it. It’s not just about developing new drug therapies—it’s about getting smarter about the things we think we know. I know some people who may like to support more projects like Darby’s. We should talk more about it, once hers is done. By the way, do you know Dr. Rich Stroh? He’s Darby’s neuro partner on the research.”
“I don’t think I do,” Stacey admitted. “Pleasure to meet you,” he said shaking the other man’s hand.
“Sir,” Rich replied, looking as flummoxed as Darby felt.
“And this is Anne Higgins, one of the best nurses in labor and delivery from what I’ve heard,” Michael continued.
“Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Anne,” Stacey said warmly, shaking her hand.
“That’s another area I hear could use some funding,” Michael said. “I know a family foundation focused on women’s health. We’ll talk,” he seemed to promise.
When Stacey’s attentions were engaged with Anne as he politely inquired about the needs in the maternity ward, Darby gave Michael a ‘what the fuck?’ look. He just winked, and turned his attention back to the conversation. She knew exactly what he was doing—dangling the promise of funding in front of Stacey so that if, and when, the time came to bargain for Darby’s chances, she’d have a chip. It was a pro move on Michael’s part—it didn’t tie her directly to the string-pulling, especially since it wasn’t clear as to whether she and Michael were dating.
“Enjoying the party?” A sixth voice joined the conversation, one she recognized immediately. It was Huck. He held a glass full of something golden, and he edged his way easily into their little circle, settling between Anne and Stacey. He probably wanted to monopolize Stacey’s attention—the best way was to cut off his partner in conversation. Anne, a nobody nurse, was nothing more than an obstacle to Huck.
“We were just talking about the game-changing work being done in your department,” Stacey said, nodding to Anne in acknowledgment. “And the areas in which we still need help. Have you met Michael Blaine?”
Huck looked up at Michael, recognition in his eyes.
“I haven’t,” Huck admitted, holding his hand out to shake Michael’s. “It’s a great pleasure, Mr. Blaine” he continued to Darby’s surprise. “I don’t follow architecture, but I read an article about you in The Tribune. Your accomplishments are impressive. Despite meager beginnings, you’re achieving greatness. You remind me of myself.”
Darby couldn’t believe it—Huck was practically sucking Michael’s dick—while still managing to compliment himself. Michael returned the handshake and smiled.
“I hear that you’re the developer of Rescutin—that opioid overdose rescue med, right? Darby’s spoken highly of your work. Do you have any other projects under development?” he asked with convincing curiosity.
“Actually, I do,” Huck began. “I’m working on something that simulates the chemical circumstances of alcohol intoxication in the brain—it’s intended to work like Methadone does for opioid addicts, except it targets patients with alcoholism. What makes it unique are the neural pathways the drug works across and a naturally-occurring chemical compound that no one else has looked at before. Not only will it address the physiological dependency—it will activate some areas of the brain that may facilitate psychological recovery as well.”
“Interesting, Michael said. ”That sounds similar to the work that Darby’s doing with respect to permanent brain changes from opioids. I’m glad you’ve been able to transfer the leadership she’s shown to other conditions.”
“Indeed,” Huck said, casting a furtive glance at Darby before paying her a backhanded compliment, “She was lucky to stumble upon such a juicy project.”
“I’m sure luck had nothing to do with it,” said Michael, making it sound utterly non-confrontational. “But tell me more about what you’re doing. In layman’s terms, of course.”
“It’s actually not that complicated, but the specific chemical compound, called AB-538, is one that other researchers have overlooked.” Huck continued, seeming content to have the spotlight back on himself. “That’s my silver bullet, and nobody else knows about it.”
“AB-538. Fascinating…but I won’t ask you to say more. I’m sure the details such as those are highly confidential and I don’t want to present a conflict of interest with other medical concerns I’m supporting. Say any more, and Stacey might ask me to sign an NDA,” he quipped.
Ten minutes later, Darby was giving him an incredulous look at the bar.
“Okay,” she said. “You’ve charmed both of my closest hospital friends. You know the President of the Board and are dangling the possibility of major funding in front of him. You got Huck to say too much about the work he was doing—so much that he is clearly in violation of his own NDA—and you exposed the fact that his research—which he is getting a ton more money for than me—is based on principles that I brought to the table.
Michael shrugged noncommittally. “And we’ve only been here for half an hour. You should know by now I’m good.”
“If that’s your ‘good,’ I want to see your ‘amazing.’”
“Don’t worry—you will.”
“And what was that thing with Rich? Telling him you were warding off unwelcome attention?”
Michael’s eyes hardened a bit.
“He obviously has feelings for you.”
“No he doesn’t—he’s just a friend. And my research partner. I would never date him.”
“That doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to date you.”
“You’re way off base.” She shook her head.
“You still don’t see it,” he said, smiling down at her as if she’d done something cute. “You still don’t see how men look at you.”
He didn’t take his eyes off of her, but she found she couldn’t keep her eyes on him.
“And the second you realize you do want a relationship, you could have your pick of any man in this room.”
Not any man, she thought.