“But why would you put that kind of pressure on yourself?”
“It’s not as if Iaskedfor the pressure, but I can’t pretend it’s not there. If I mess up that gives Owen Caldwell the excuse he needs to ignore the résumé of every black woman that comes across his desk. He can simply say that they tried it, but the last one they hired didn’t work out. Why should they take a chance on another?” She put a hand up. “And I am not overreacting. I’ve seen it happen before.”
He wanted to refute her words, but how did he know if what she was saying wasn’t the absolute truth? Like every other industry, the tech world could be a shitty place. He’d had a few thinly veiled remarks hurled his way while undercover at various software companies. He’d brushed it off, knowing he wouldn’t be around long enough to make calling it out worth his time.
But he’d never had to consider how his performance on the job could affect the chances of those coming up behind him. He couldn’t imagine having to shoulder that kind of pressure day in and day out.
“I’m sorry to unload on you like that,” Samiah said. “My sister is the one who usually suffers through my venting. It’s just…it’s a lot.”
“You don’t have to apologize to me, Samiah.”
He was the one who should be apologizing. He was the one lying to her face. Confiding something so intimate required a level of trust he didn’t deserve from her.
“If you ever need to vent, I’m here,” Daniel said. “That goes for more than just venting. Whatever you need, just ask.”
“Thanks for the offer.” The grateful look in her eyes made him want to offer her the world. “You can start by throwing the next flash competition.”
He pitched his head back and laughed, grateful for the levity after their heavy conversation.
“I don’t know about that,” Daniel said. “What if the next prize is cupcakes from that place that sells out within the first hour every day?”
“Oh, if that’s the case I’m willing to fight you for it.”
He bumped her shoulder with his. “How about we share?”
Her eyes dropped to his mouth, the corners of hers curving up in the most enchanting of smiles.
“Deal.”
***
Samiah thought she’d be on time for once, but true to form, she was the last one to arrive for the weekly meet-up with Taylor and London. At least she had a good excuse this time. Because London had only a couple of hours between shifts, they’d decided to meet near the hospital where she worked. Dealing with Austin rush-hour traffic—something Samiah normally avoided at all cost—would make anyone late. And in need of a drink.
“I swear I tried to get here on time,” Samiah said, placing her purse with the others on the lone empty chair. “Did you all order already?”
“I had to,” London said. “I need to be back at the hospital by seven.”
“I thought you had two hours before your next shift started. Did a surgery get moved up or something?” Taylor asked.
She shook her head. “The only time I perform surgeries at night is if they come through the emergency room. I need to head back early because I’m meeting with a couple of the other doctors before my shift starts. We’re having a powwow about some bullshit going on at the hospital.”
The bite in London’s tone was so unlike her. “So, that sounds serious,” Samiah said. “Is it?”
“It has the potential to be.” She dipped a fried eggplant into marinara sauce and swirled it around, but then set it back on the plate uneaten. “It has taken me longer than it should have to recognize that bureaucracy and red tape can literally kill people. And there are some who just don’t care. The bottom line means more, regardless of how much it adversely affects patients. I just…” She shook her head. “This is not what I signed up for. I became a doctor tohelppeople. To helpchildren.”
In the short time she’d known her, Samiah had already become accustomed to London’s mordant, sometimes dark sense of humor. Case in point, last week, when she shared that she’d lost a patient. Despite her obvious pain, she’d managed to smile through it, and by the time dessert rolled around she’d had them all laughing to the point that they drew stares.
ButthisLondon? This was the first time she’d seenthisLondon.
It was a striking reminder that they all bore crosses when it came to their respective careers, some heavier than others. London’s was no doubt the heaviest of all. Not only did her work have life-and-death consequences; she was under more professional scrutiny than Samiah could imagine.
She’d run across articles of people accomplishing extraordinary things in their respective fields, but unless it had something to do with tech, Samiah usually scrolled past it. It wasn’t until she’d looked into London’s background that she discovered her new sister-in-catfishing-notoriety was a legitimate rock star in the world of pediatric surgery.
She’d lost count of the number of Ones to Watch lists bearing the name London Kelley, MD. Not only was she featured on just about every medical website Samiah found having to deal with pediatrics, but there had been over two dozen articles in medical journals that London had authored.
The fact that she’d given Craig Walters the time of day was a testament to just how slim the pickings were when it came to Austin’s dating scene. Craig wasn’t worthy enough to check London’s coat at the door, let alone date her.
It also made London’s current demeanor that much more jarring. Her normally imperturbable calm was absent.
