“Also, because you didn’t give us much of a defense on your part.”
I cut my gaze to Arturo, who visibly sunk back in his seat.
“But now that we have the full story, we understand what happened and that you were acting in a manner of self-preservation. We would like to welcome you back to your role as one of our best plastic surgeons, just as soon as you are able.”
Again, I scanned the room, looking between the four. I knew there was more to this story but that they weren’t going to reveal their sources. Suzanne would’ve never just walked in here and taken blame for what happened. But I wasn’t going to push the issue. I’d missed being in the OR almost as much as I’d missed Grace those almost thirty days I was gone. And even if I couldn’t operate just yet, I still could catch up on some work, review patient charts, and assist in the OR in other ways.
“Thank you.” I rose.
I glanced down at Arturo as he stood and extended his hand for me to shake. I had half a mind to ignore it, but I reached across the table, taking his, and then did the same with the other three women before exiting.
My mind still wondered how everything had transpired so quickly. I hadn’t given a word of my side of the story and yet I didn’t need to.
“Hey, between you and me, you’ve got one hell of a woman in your corner.”
I stopped short right before punching the down button on the elevator, and turned to face Arturo.
“What?”
“Grace.”
“Nurse Young,” I corrected with my head angled to the side.
He inclined his head. “Nurse Young. She really went to bat for you. Good job picking that one.” He moved in to pat my arm.
“Don’t touch me,” I warned just before his hand made contact.
He backed away and I pivoted on my heels and headed down the hall to the staircase, instead of the elevator.
****
Grace
“I need to speak with you.”
My eyes widened in surprise when I whirled around from facing the nurses’ station and saw Jacob barreling down on me a serious expression on his face. He took me by the arm, and I complied as he kept walking down the hallway. I figured we were headed toward his office.
I worried my bottom lip wondering what could be the matter. As far as I knew, the hospital had every intention of reinstating Jacob and leaving his HR record unblemished. But the expression on his face indicated that maybe that hadn’t happened.
“What happened? Did they say you could come back?” I questioned as we entered the office and he abruptly closed the door behind us. Thankfully, the doctor he shared an office with was out on vacation.
“Yes, but you knew that already, didn’t you?”
I wrinkled my forehead, not at the question, but at the angry tone in his voice. “That’s a good thing, right?”
“That I still have my job or that you knew?”
My shoulders sank. “Your job.”
“So you’re admitting to knowing that I was going to keep my job. And that Suzanne had been fired?”
I swallowed because yes, I knew. I provided the hospital with the ammunition to do both.
“Jacob, why is this upsetting you? I thought youwantedto keep your job. You love being a surgeon.”
“Of course I do.”
“So why do you sound angry?”
