A trail of tiny stuffed animals lines the hallway floor; lions, tigers, monkeys, all leading straight to my office.My eyebrows pull together.
No.Please, no.
I follow the jungle path slowly, briefcase swinging at my side.My steps grow more cautious with each one, like I’m walking into a trap.I push my office door open and stop dead.
Inflatable monkeys hang from the ceiling tiles, swaying slightly in the heater’s warm air.A towering cardboard palm tree is duct-taped to the corner of my desk.Vines made of green streamers dangle from the cabinets.And wrapped tightly around my chair, is a rubber snake so lifelike I nearly jump.
I exhale sharply.“Regan.”
Right on cue, she appears from behind me in the doorway, holding two coffees and absolutely glowing with mischief.Her cheeks are flushed pink, and her lips twitch, fighting a grin.
“Good morning, Dr.Harrison,” she says, biting her lip.“Welcome to the jungle.”
She struts in and sets the coffees on my now very tropical desk.
I stare at her.“I see that.But why is my office involved?”
She shrugs, completely unapologetic.“It was a joint decision between my dad and me.”
I narrow my eyes.Of course he’s involved and approved this.Which means what?Is he trying to loosen me up?Test me?I don’t know and can never tell with him anymore.
“But mostly me,” she adds, smirking.
Of course it was.
I glance again at the snake.“And what role, exactly, am I meant to play in all this?”
“Hmm...”She taps a finger to her chin.“A monkey, perhaps?”
I give her a blank look.“I’m a doctor.And your mentor.”
She rolls her eyes dramatically.“How could I forget?Dr.Harrison, the great and serious mentor,” she says.“Bet you’re happy to be back in charge today.”
I ignore the jab and set down my case, flipping it open and pulling out my breakfast.A banana and protein bar.
She points to my banana.“Even your breakfast fits the theme.”
I try not to laugh.
“You’re a brat,” I mutter, lips twitching.
“You love it,” she fires back.“Come on, stop being so uptight.I’ve seen you outside of work.Let everyone else see that version of you too.It would be good for morale.”
And it’s the hopeful way she says it, like she means it and wants them to see something good in me.It lodges somewhere in my chest.Because she’s right.I’ve been so focused on being professional and setting examples that I’ve forgotten how to relax at work.With her infectious enthusiasm and knowledge of this place, I don’t see what the harm would be to at least try.
I’m about to say something when a voice cuts through.“Regan.”
I freeze.My entire spine stiffens.
Dr.Thomas.
He’s standing a few feet away, arms crossed, expression tight.His eyes flick between us, lingering just long enough on how close she’s standing to me.
“I was looking for you,” he says, with an edge in his tone that’s unmistakable.He’s not just looking for her, he’s checking on me.Making what I was just thinking evaporate.This is why I can’t let my guard down; he’s always watching and judging, ready to take away everything I’ve worked for.
She steps toward him.“Oh, I was just—”
“About to head to the ward,” I finish for her, taking a deliberate step back.
