Chapter Thirteen

Lucas

The Sterling Medical Center is much bigger and sleeker than I imagined. The photos and models at the opening showcased the hospital, but I assumed they were designed to idealize it as much as possible.

Nate’s office is in the back on the top floor, and I walk past an empty secretary’s desk straight into his inner sanctum. It’s small—for the moneyman of the whole operation—and modestly furnished with a standard work desk and one of those high-end ergonomic mesh chairs. A miniature painting of a strawberry farm hangs on the wall. Thin white industrial blinds cover the window behind him—which faces the parking deck, unless I’m guessing the building layout incorrectly.

Nate pushes back the chair—it looks like he’s being engulfed by some high-tech alien insect—and stands, a big smile splitting his face. “Finally, the mystery man!” He hugs me, slapping my back heartily a couple of times. I’m not a hugger, but it’s impossible to pull away when Nate Sterling wants to give you an exuberant greeting.

Although he looks a lot like his older brother—the same dark hair and dark eyes—there’s a softer and nicer aspect that Justin doesn’t have. It could be a mask, of course. Justin didn’t start acting like Justin until he took over Sterling & Wilson.

Nate pulls away. “Honest to God, I haven’t seen you in ages.”

“A little over two years.”

“Right. The crash. How you doing?”

“I’m fine. Did the rehab, got better.”

He nods, watching me. “Good to hear. Hey, you want something to drink? The break room has coffee, some tea…”

“You said something about a tour.”

“Direct as always.” He laughs. “All right, let’s go. I can’t wait to show you everything.” He leads me out and into the hall.

The interior is just as impressive as the outside. Because the medical center will primarily cater to the poor, I assumed it would be utilitarian and low-cost—sort of what you see on those TV shows about harried but dedicated medical professionals in inner-city clinics. But everything’s bright and ultramodern. It looks like another hospital the Sterling family built not too long ago—the Ethel Sterling Children’s Hospital. Although I didn’t go to that opening, I saw the media coverage. Very high-tech.

“I thought the goal was to stretch our dollar to provide care, not to have the nicest building we can get,” I say.

“It was. Still is. Why do you think I had Justin pay for most of this?” Nate gestures around.

“You got Justin involved?”

“He’d been nagging me to do some charity work, so I figured turnabout was fair play. I’m not averse to using the family money if the cause is good. And this is a good cause.” He smiles at a cute nurse. “Most of the medical staff came from overseas volunteer positions. I thought they’d understand what it’s like to serve the needy the best. And since you weren’t in the mood to help, I put Elizabeth on the advisory board.”

“How many times you want me to say I’m sorry?”

“As many times as I called.”

I frown. “Which is…how many?”

“At least ten. Didn’t Rachel tell you?”

A shrug. “She might’ve. I probably wasn’t in the mood to listen.”

“Because of the crash?” Nate’s eyes are exceptionally shrewd as he watches me.

“Rehab. Getting used to my new ugly face. You know, the usual.”

He exhales. “Retreating probably made it worse. I don’t know why your doctors didn’t tell you to go rejoin the living. I mean, you could’ve been around friends who care rather than staying in the Pacific North-Lost.” He shudders.

Nate thinks I’m still in Seattle, and being an outdoors man, he hates the rain and gray skies. I don’t bother to correct him. The last thing I want to do is get into why I lingered in Charlottesville.

The main lobby is also a waiting area with tons of chairs. People are filling out paperwork, and a couple of receptionists in pale lavender coats help the ones who come over to their desks. The cheap clothes some of them are wearing remind me of what Ava and I bought in that bed and breakfast town, and I scowl in spite of myself. I would’ve traded everything I have for a forever with Ava. But she didn’t want that.

Toxic.

“Let’s talk about what I can do,” I say, needing to think about something other than her. Toxic. Toxic.

Nate takes me on a circuitous route, showing me the different wings for cancer care, regular pediatrics, maternity and so on. Once we’re back to his office, he closes the door. I take an armchair by the desk and stretch my legs out, crossing my ankles.

“I’m thinking about a year-end charity function,” he says, sitting across me. “People tend to be more giving in December.”

“Okay. So who am I helping?”

“Actually, you’ll have to spearhead this one. Robbie’s great at managing hospitals, but he’s not that great at raising money.”

Is this the same guy Elizabeth was talking about? “Who’s Robbie?”

“He’s the administrator in charge of operations and capital investments. A great guy, just not great at fundraising. He probably never had to do much of it in his previous positions. But he’s swamped right now, so most likely he’s going to have his assistant do the work with you. I heard she’s quite diligent.” Nate smiles. “Pretty, too. If she weren’t working here, I’d probably ask her out.”

I uncross my ankles and sit up straight. Nate is exceptionally partial to blondes. As a matter of fact, to the best of my knowledge he’s only ever dated blondes. “What’s her name?” I casually ask, even as my heart pushes into my throat.

“Ava Huss. She came highly recommended by a friend who’s working here as a nurse, and also by your sister. It was really Elizabeth who sealed the deal for me. I know she’d never refer someone who wasn’t good.”

Fury explodes in my chest, and it’s all I can do not to break something. I stand, my entire body shaking.

“Are you okay?” Nate asks.

“I’m fine. I just remembered I have an appointment. Can we discuss the rest of the fundraiser thing later?”

“I’m actually flying to Chicago tonight, but you’re welcome to call or meet Robbie anytime. He knows about your involvement.” Nate hands me a card with Robbie’s contact info on it.

“Fantastic. Thanks.”

I shove the card into my pocket. My gait is uneven as I hurry. If I slow down, I can hide the limp, but I don’t bother. If I could wish for any superpower, it would be to instantly appear in front of Elizabeth.

Making my way to my car, I call her. Before she can say a word, I spit out, “How dare you!”

She gasps. “Lucas?”

“I told you to stay the fuck out of this.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Ava Huss. You got her a damned job.”

“Oh. That.”

“Oh. That. Yes. That.”

“She lost her job—probably because she had to give it up to come home with you. So I thought I’d help.”

The way I maneuvered Ava into her unemployment status makes my conscience squirm. Think of the two million bucks. “She didn’t need your help.”

“Lucas, the economy is horrible. It’s not like her résumé is stellar. But I figured if she got an interview, she’d be able to impress the guy. And she did.”

“She didn’t need a job, Elizabeth. I gave her money.”

A short pause. “You gave her money.”

“Yes.”

“How much?”

“Two million. More than enough for her to live the rest of her life in comfort.”

She sighs. “There’s more to life than money, Lucas. Jobs give people pride, self-esteem.”

“You don’t get it. I gave her the money so she can be a writer, like she said she wanted. She never needed your help. I certainly never needed your meddling. Now things are worse.” I climb into my car and shove a hand into my hair. “If you hadn’t interfered, I would never have gone after her. And if I hadn’t, she wouldn’t have lost her job in Japan. I would’ve found someone else to marry, and you would’ve gotten the portrait anyway. It’ll almost serve you right if I don’t marry anybody after all, and nobody gets them.”

“I’m not doing this for Grandpa’s painting.”

“Then why? Don’t tell me it’s for my own good. That’s bullshit.”

“You can believe whatever you want, but know one thing. Women on their own can be vulnerable.”

“She has foster parents.” Who are old and have a child of their own to look after. Surely their own flesh and blood come before Ava.

“I only wanted to make sure she’d be okay.” She sighs. “If you don’t like how I did it, then undo it.”

“A little too late for that.”

“No, it’s not. Talk to Nate. I’m sure he’ll fire her for you.” She hangs up.

I smack the steering wheel, hard. How dare she try to turn me into a villain? I did not abandon Ava. I did not leave her helpless and vulnerable. I—did—nothing—wrong.

I’ve been trying to put my life together after the accident. Rehab sucked, and trying to prove to myself that part of me didn’t die when Ava dumped me the first time…

Being with her the second time proved I’m not dead. So now all I need to do is learn that lesson and move on.

Get Nate to fire her.

My head swivels toward the hospital. He’ll probably do it if I ask…although he’ll want to know why, and I don’t want to discuss my reasons.

I inhale and exhale deeply a few times. There’s no need to talk to Nate. I can get her to quit on her own. Surely I’m the last person she wants to be around. After all, I’m toxic.