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“I sure am. I hope you don’t mind being taught by a co-worker. Or is it former co-worker? I heard you transferred to St. Roberta’s. A nice small place with less violent crime. Nice location if you can land it,” Doctor Dan went on.
I’d forgotten how much the man liked the sound of his own voice. I used to mistake that drone for confidence, but meeting Renato had changed my opinion. There was power in silence. Not being compelled to fill every gap in the conversation was confidence.
“I’m going to be studying full time, and then, yeah, I’ll probably be finishing my rotations at St. Roberta’s.” I wasn’t surprised to hear that Renato had already arranged for me to work at the hospital closest to Casa Nera. Weirdly, I didn’t mind it. St. Roberta’s was a lovely little hospital, and it was generally considered a dream come true to land it for rotations. I wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth. My pride wasn’t that fragile.
“Well, we miss you around Camden Community Hospital.”
The lights dimmed in the hall, and the projector came on. I pointed toward the front. “I think it’s time to start.”
Dan nodded, though he seemed like he had more to say. Luckily, he was out of time.
He headed to the front, preening as he waved to the audience. Great, three hours of hearing Dan talk about how awesome he was. Just what I needed. He wasn’t a bad doctor at all, but he couldn't go five minutes without bragging.
I took a sip of my hazelnut mocha, picked up a pen, and braced myself.
In the end,the time went by quickly. He’d talked about shifts in the ER, which was interesting, and I’d missed studying so much, when I checked the clock, I was shocked to find out how time had flown. As soon as we were finished, people surged from their seats. I packed my bag and made my way out of my row.
“Charlotte? Can I have a word?” Dan called from the front.
I seriously considered pretending I didn’t hear him, but in the end, my good manners were too deeply ingrained.
“What is it?”
“Did you enjoy the class?” Dan perched a hip on his desk and smiled benevolently at me.
I nodded. “Sure, it was really interesting. You’re a good teacher,” I said, hoping he was just looking for a little ego boost.
“I know, that’s why they always ask me back. One day, when I get too tired or burned out at work, I’ll go into teaching. There’s something about eager young students that just makes me excited about the topics again.” He smirked.
Eager young students?There was something slimy about the way he’d said it, and I imagined him as an older man, graying at the temples, like Renato, but with none of his style or dark charisma, hitting on students more than half his age.
“We’re going to miss you around Camden Community, but to be honest, it was always a bit of a ball ache that we were co-workers. It’s such a cliché, the nurse and the doctor,” he chuckled. “I try and avoid that sort of thing, but now, it’s easier.”
“I don’t follow.” I glanced nervously at the door. It was only a matter of time before Sonny came looking for me.
“Us. I apologize for being drunk at the gala,” he began.
“No need. It’s water under the bridge. But I should stop you there. I can’t date you.”
Dan frowned, seeming annoyed at being cut off just as he was getting ready to hit on me. “Why not?”
“Because she’s married, and I’m not the type to share,” Renato’s deep voice filled the room.
A frisson of alarm zipped through me.
He stood in the doorway, leaning against the threshold with indolent grace.
“Excuse me?” Dan asked, his reedy voice fading as he took in the man staring at him with murder in his eyes.
Renato straightened up and sauntered into the room. He took his time walking down the stairs that led to the lectern. When he reached us, he pulled me to his side and kissed my cheek.
“Why are you here?” I wondered.
“I wanted to pick up my wife up after her first day.” His gaze roved over my face like he'd missed me terribly in the few hours we'd been apart.
“Your wife?” Dan repeated skeptically.
Renato turned to him, his warm expression melting into something terrifying. “Yes, my wife. Charlotte and I are recently married. You may congratulate us.” He raised his chin and waited, with all the imperiousness of a king. He’d definitely been royalty in a past life.
