Dr. Malone shakes hands with Peter, then holds his hand out to Nina. But instead of shaking his hand, she pulls him in for a hug.
It’s one of the most awkward hugs I’ve ever seen. By the time Nina finally releases him, it’s clear she has a thing for Dr. Malone, and it’s equally clear that her affection isn’t reciprocated.
I’m sure the three of them are about to have a very interesting conversation, and I’d love to be a fly on the wall while it happens. But I don’t have a reason to stay, so I start to slink toward the door.
But before I can make my escape, Dr. Malone meets my eye and gives his head a tiny shake. It’s slight enough that Peter and Nina don’t notice, but his meaning is clear to me.
He wants me to stay. Maybe he wants a chaperone, in case Peter leaves and Nina launches herself at him again.
So I freeze against the wall, a few feet from the door. Trying to blend into the scenery, like a good assistant.
But Dr. Malone surprises me by performing introductions.
“This is my assistant, Alexandra Parker,” he says, gesturing toward me. “Alexandra, this is Peter Tate and his daughter, Nina.”
All of a sudden it makes sense, and I mentally kick myself for not putting it together sooner. It’s the billionaire donor and his daughter. I thought Dr. Malone said he operated on a girl named Amber, but I could be remembering it wrong. Or maybe Nina is Amber’s sister.
The Tates nod at me politely, then turn their attention back to Dr. Malone.
“Let me grab a couple more chairs,” Dr. Malone suggests, starting toward the door.
“Oh, we’re fine,” Peter says easily. “I’m sure you’re busy, so we won’t keep you. But we’re spending the next couple of weeks at the cottage, and we wanted to invite you to dinner.”
“Mom and Dad are just here for the week,” Nina puts in before Dr. Malone can reply. “But I’m be staying in Somerset for at least three months. Amber’s on exchange in Italy until the fall, so I’m staying in her apartment in town.”
There’s a flicker of alarm in Dr. Malone’s eyes. “That’s great,” he says. “You finished your PhD, then?”
“Well, my defense isn’t until July,” Nina explains. “But the experiments are done, and I can do the rest of it here. I’m just polishing the dissertation, double-checking the stats and stuff.” She smiles at him, one scholar to another. “You know what it’s like.”
“Of course.”
“And I’m considering doing my post-doc here, in Dr. Jamison’s lab, so this’ll give me a chance to check it out. Do you know Dr. Jamison?”
“Only by reputation,” Dr. Malone replies.
“Well, she’s doing some really interesting work,” Nina says enthusiastically. “And she thinks I’d be a great fit for her lab. There’s even a chance I could get started on a project this spring. Like a test-run, before I commit to a post-doc.”
“It sounds like you’ll be busy,” Dr. Malone says politely.
“Well, yes and no,” Nina says earnestly. “I’ve always liked to work hard. And the research hardly feels like work, you know?”
“I must not be doing it properly,” Dr. Malone says dryly. “Because my research often feels a hell of a lot like work.”
Peter chuckles, and Nina laughs as though it’s the most hilarious thing she’s ever heard. “Well, if you’re ever stuck on a project and want to bounce ideas off someone, I’m available.”
Yep. I think everyone’s gotten the message that Nina’s available for Dr. Malone.
Dr. Malone nods. “I appreciate that, Nina. I’ll keep you in mind.”
“Great,” Nina says brightly. “You still have my cell number, right?”
Dr. Malone nods again. “I do.”
“Perfect,” Nina says. “And we should find a date for you to come to dinner. Does this Wednesday work for you?”
There’s a beat of silence, and I see Dr. Malone’s throat move as he swallows. He’s in an awkward spot. Even though Nina’sinviting him to dinner with her parents, her intentions are perfectly clear. She wants Dr. Malone, and she’s decided to shoot her shot.
And Nina’s dad is one of the hospital’s biggest donors. If I were Dr. Malone, I’d make it clear I was in a relationship.
