It was bold and new and my body still tingles with the faintest ghost of her imaginary touch.
How quickly my days can change.
It makes me want more with her, a snatched moment here and there to satisfy this craving inside me and this new burst of life she’s granted me.
Such a stark contrast to the death I’ve dealt with today.
“Not to rub salt in the wound, but Jules wants to speak to you.”
The Head of the Board? I lift my head and meet Fred’s gaze. “About what?”
Fred shrugs as his limited sympathy dries up and his trademark cocky smile is back. “Who knows? Maybe they’re finally firing your ass for showing the rest of us up. Anyway, he sent me to find you so when you’ve got a sec…”
Trailing off, he jerks his thumb behind him and then vanishes.
The door closes softly and darkness envelops me once more.
Remaining detached from patients on my surgery table is the only way to survive this profession, but each one I lose, no matter how destined it was, leaves a mark.
Life is short and precious.
After cleaning myself up and making myself presentable, I head up the elevator to the chief’s office.
Jules is hunched over his desk, studying something intently when I arrive and knock on his open door.
“Sir?”
Jules’ head snaps up. “Ah! Xander. Come in, come in. Shut the door, would you?”
I oblige and walk closer to his desk. “You wanted to see me?”
Curious, I peer past his hunched-over form to see a miniature jigsaw puzzle next to his keyboard, a few pieces shy of completion.
“Do you dabble?” Jules catches my eye.
“In jigsaws? No, I don’t.”
“Shame. You should.” Jules slides one last piece into place and grins. “It keeps the mind and the eyes sharp, you know. You’ll appreciate that when you get to my age.”
“I’m not that far off,” I reply with a polite smile.
“Nonsense!” Jules waves his hand and takes his seat. “If I were still pushing forty, I’d be throwing myself at every hotshot surgery to roll through this place.” His brow twitches. “But you’re not.”
“I like where I am.”
“Trauma, really?” He steeples his fingers together as he sits. “You’re an excellent surgeon, Xander. Are you sure Trauma is where you want to leave your talents?”
“Leave them, sir?”
Jules beams suddenly. “Of course! You’ve heard the good news, I’m sure.”
Confusion swirls in my chest while I replay my last few conversations with Jules, but nothing sticks out. “I’m not sure I have.”
“You’re up for promotion,” Jules replies excitedly. “Surely, you knew this.”
“Oh.” I vaguely recall an email a few months ago thanking me for my years of work and the potential for promotion, but I hadn’t given it much thought. “I think it slipped my mind.”
“Of course.” Jules nods. “A man like you is so focused on your craft, giving your all to this place. Paperwork is hardly ideal. But I wanted to tell you in person that because of your pristine record, your exemplary skills, and your raw talent, I’m recommending you as the Chief of Surgery’s replacement.”
