She glanced behind her to look toward where my mother had taken the baby before looking back at me. “Because I haven’t really been able to do my job since your family got here and I wanted to know if the circumstances of my employment have changed. I can understand if I need to find somewhere else—”
“No, my mama hasn’t changed her mind about moving.”
“Okay. Are you unsatisfied with how I’m currently doing things—”
“Do you want to go out tonight?”
Her bottom lip dropped open in shock and even as she tried to close it quickly I could tell her mind was still going a thousand miles a minute. “What? You mean…like a date?” Her widened eyes and the surprise I could see in them threw me slightly. Sterling had a look on her face like she was surprised I wouldtake an interest in her and I wondered if she’d ever looked in a mirror.
You are her boss, asshole.
“You say that like a date with me would be a bad thing. We break bread together all the time so it wouldn’t have been anything out of bounds.”
She hesitated before she played with the end of the braid her hair was in. “Well, that’s true—”
“But I’m not talking about like a date. I mean like us grabbing some food isn’t out of the question, but a few of my teammates are talking about getting up at a lounge. Mama said that since my schedule has been so crazy and you haven’t had a day off I should invite you along. I don’t want you to feel pressured just because—”
“No. That sounds like fun, actually.” With the relief on her face, I realized I needed to give her more time away from us while I could. Camp started in less than a month and then I was really going to be too busy to help. We both needed to take advantage of my mama being here while we could.
I grinned at the proper inflection I heard in her voice and I hoped she’d be able to let herself have fun if we went out tonight. “Why do you always sound like you've rarely had fun?”
“Because that would be extremely accurate characterization of my life.” She grinned but I imagined Sterling hadn’t ever partied or let her hair down.
“All work and no play?”
“Yeah, especially when I did a lot of travel nursing.”
Knowing her work ethic I was sure she commanded a high price. “And you were in high demand I assume?”
“Yeah, I’m good at bedside care and have a speciality that many people burn out on.”
“The NICU thing?”
Sterling grinned, pleased I’d remembered her accomplishment.
“That and I also took a lot of assignments with the ER. I tried to do palliative and hospice care but I couldn’t handle it. My heart was too soft. It’s a specialty that gets burned out quickly because of the emotional toll it can take on nurses. When they have gaps, I can step in until they find someone permanent. That way their patient care doesn’t suffer.” From the way she smiled, I could tell some hospital out there was missing the care she provided a lot but I was glad I’d been able to secure her for Ami.
“And I’m assuming they pay a lot for the privilege.”
She grinned arrogantly and I liked how she was silently popping her shit about her professional abilities. “Handsomely.”
“No wonder you didn’t have any issues with pulling out that card.”
“I mean, I don’t get out much but I’m well equipped when I do.”
“Cool. So you can step out with me no problem tonight then.”
She hesitated again and I wondered if she thought we were going to have a repeat of the last time we danced. If I made her uncomfortable I hated to think I’d made shit weird between us but I could handle taking a step back from her if I needed to. Right? “Are you sure that’s okay?”
“Why wouldn’t it be? I mean…we're cool, right?”
“Yeah. Besties even.” She was smirking and I took it as flirting but I was going to be calm tonight without blurring the lines. It was going to be the first time that I’d introduced any of my people to Sterling and I wanted them to get to know her for herself, not who she might be to me.
“If that’s how you wanna look at it, Ling Ling.”
She shook her head and leaned up from the counter, looking fake annoyed. “You and this name. But no, that sounds like fun.I’m going to pick out something to wear. What time should I be ready?”
I double-checked the text message to make sure I didn’t give her the wrong information. I’d been asked to make an appearance and despite not wanting a lot of people around me, we did need to get out of the house. “Probably around 11. We got a section so we’re just trynna chill. I hope these other people aren’t trying to be the center of attention but if they are we will absolutely let them have it and go somewhere else.”
