Dr. Planck finds us in the employee office. “I need to talk to the two of you as well,” he says.
A flash of cold arrows through my stomach.
Grant’s shoulders inch up, but he sounds collected when he responds. “Of course.”
Dr. Planck sighs. “There’s not a hospital policy against residents dating nurses.” The ice in my stomach turns to a heavy stone. I start to protest, but Dr. Planck holds up his hand. “I don’t want to know, even if I’m wrong, you don’t have to tell me. But you can see why it’s frowned upon. There’s some additional tension in the OR that crops up sometimes, especially if things go bad. I want you two to be aware of that.”
I nod. My face feels bloodless and tingly.
“I understand,” Grant says. “It won’t impact patient care.”
I whip my head toward him. He’s all but confirmed that we’re fooling around. What’s the rest of the staff going to think?
I corner Grant after the attending walks out. “What the hell?
“I’m sorry?” Grant tilts his head.
“Now I look like I’m using you to get ahead! You contacted the interviewing committee about me. People will say I’m sleeping with you to get into school!”
“Dr. Planck isn’t going to say anything,” Grant says. “Besides that, isn’t it a bad look for me as well?”
“No one cares what you do,” I practically spit the words. “You could have sex with a staff member on the operating table and people would forgive it.” I turn to pace. “We have to stop what we’re doing.”
“Kendall.” Grant reaches for me, but I dodge his hand. “It’s going to be okay. We’ll be more careful.” He grips the table behind him.
I stop pacing and face him. “We’ll see.”
“We at least have to finish our project.”
“Fine.” I tap my foot. “This just makes me nervous.”
“Whatever happens with us, you’ll get into med school on your own merits. You don’t need me, and everyone knows it.”
I chew on my lip. Things have never seemed based on merit to me, not for my whole life. I’ll have to be more cautious with him.
If this jeopardizes my future, I’ll never forgive myself.
The sun has already set by the time I knock on Grant’s door. I’m here to finish up our project, and not to hook up with him.
I amnothere to hook up with him.
It’s a Friday night. The air’s cool enough for a light jacket. The scent of someone grilling in the neighborhood reaches me, and the combination of smokiness and crisp air is giving me a little olfactory bliss.
Grant’s out of his scrubs when he answers the door. His faded jeans hug his thighs, and his old Blacksburg football T-shirt highlights his biceps. My heart rate picks up.
“Welcome,” he says. He sweeps his arm inside as I step over the threshold. “You caught us on a night where we’re both here.” He nods to a long-haired man on the couch who offers a cheery wave. “This is my roommate, Adam.”
“I’m leaving soon,” Adam says. “I’ve got a few days off, and I’m kicking it off with a house party tonight.”
“Well you don’t have to go on my account,” I say. I set my purse on the kitchen counter and join Grant and Adam in theliving room. “But it’s a good night for a party. It feels amazing outside.”
“Yeah?” Adam grins at me, an easy, carefree smile that lights up his whole face. It’s hard to imagine Grant being friends with this dude. He’s never been carefree in his life. “October is a great time here.”
I settle into the living room recliner. Grant’s place is a little homier than I expected—the furniture’s mostly in warm tones, and there are a few paintings on the walls.
“You aren’t wrong,” I say. “Fall is the best, hands down. Where you from, originally?”
I’m relaxing a bit as we talk. I can hear myself slipping into my Eastern Kentucky accent a little, and Grant smirks at me from where he leans against the wall.
