“Take the rest of the week,” Max nods. “But we need an answer by Friday.”
I take the folder. I walk out.
I feel sick. I feel like I just sold something vital for a paycheque I don't need.
I walk down the quiet, carpeted hallway. I need air. I need to get out of this building before I suffocate.
I turn the corner toward the elevators, and I slam right into a solid wall of muscle.
“Whoa,” a voice says. “Watch it, suit.”
I look up.
It’s Luke.
He’s wearing his trauma scrubs. He has a smear of blood on his neck. He looks exhausted, sweaty, and incredibly handsome. He’s holding two coffees.
“I brought you a refill,” Luke says, holding up a cup. “I heard the nurses were riding you about Bed 4, so I thought?—”
He stops.
He looks at my clean hands. He looks at the quiet, expensive hallway.
Then, he looks at the folder in my hand.
He sees the gold crest. He sees the wordsBoard of Directors: Confidential.
The smile drops off his face.
“What’s that?” Luke asks. His voice is very quiet.
I instinctively try to hide the folder behind my back, which is the guiltiest thing I could possibly do.
“Nothing,” I say. “Just… paperwork. Max wanted to talk.”
“About the Board?” Luke asks. He steps closer. “About Vane’s seat?”
“He… he offered it to me,” I admit.
Luke stares at me. “And?”
“And I’m thinking about it.”
Silence. Absolute, heavy silence.
“You’re thinking about it,” Luke repeats. “So, what? You’re just going to quit? You’re going to drop the residency?”
“Max made some good points!” I say, my voice rising defensively. “I’m good at the politics, Luke! You saw me at the Gala. I fixed the Vane problem. I protected the hospital.”
I step closer, desperate for him to understand.
“Maybe… maybe I don't belong in the ER. Maybe I belong upstairs. Max says I can do more good from the Boardroom. I can fund the clinic. I can protect the staff. Isn't that what we want?”
“Is that whatwewant?” Luke asks. His voice is cold. “Or is that just what’s easy?”
“It isn't easy!”
“It looks pretty easy from here,” Luke says, his eyes hard. “You had your fun. You came down here, played ‘working class hero’ for a few months, hooked up with the Chief Resident, andproved you could survive without a butler. Bravo, Preston. Great show.”
