BRITTANY: I got an email from the board. They want to interview me. Hope, did you get one?
I hurried to check my email. Sure enough, there was an email from the California Board of Dentistry. My stomach twisted as I read it. They wanted to meet with me next week to discuss my complaint.
HOPE: Yeah. I got one too.
JAY: Let’s meet at the coffee shop on Main Street. I talked to an attorney friend, and he gave me some advice for the interviews.
BRITTANY: 6:00?
HOPE: I’ll be there.
The coffee shop on Main Street was pretty empty by 6 p.m. When I entered, the smell of coffee and pastries greeted me, causing my mouth to water. Jay and Brittany were already sitting waiting at a table.
Brittany waved when she saw me, and I weaved through the little tables over to the corner where they sat, papers already out and ready to go for their impromptu meeting.
Jay was sitting with his arms crossed, wearing a black long-sleeve shirt and a black beanie. The same one he wore when we’d gone zip-lining.
“Thanks for meeting us,” Brittany said, and I nodded.
And that’s when I noticed the muffins. In the very center of everything were poppy seed muffins.
“I ordered us some pastries, I hope that’s okay,” Jay said, and I held his gaze for a brief moment, daring him to reveal that he’d done that on purpose. But his gaze gave nothing away. He was the perfect picture of innocence.
“Thanks,” I said dryly, taking a bite of the muffin a little more intensely than was probably appropriate for a muffin.
His eyebrow lifted, and I looked away, hating that my stomach flipped a little.
“Okay, so it looks like we’re heading to this interview next week. Did your attorney friend have any tips for us?” Brittany dove right in, and I was sucked back into the real reason I was there.
Jay went on to explain everything his lawyer friend had told him. The things we probably shouldn’t say, wording that might help us build a better case. It was surprising how many things his friend suggested. But if we didn’t approach it strategically, the whole thing could get dismissed. We wanted to make sure we both came across as credible in our interviews, and it helped to hear what would help. It was obviously not guaranteed, but trying to nail down a strategy definitely helped.
We talked for a while and we were the last customers in the shop as it neared closing.
“Well, I think that’s a good brainstorming session. I’ll do my best during the interviews,” Brittany said, her brow furrowing. “I wish I weren’t scared, but I am a little afraid of how this might go.”
“You’re not alone,” I said, reaching over to pat Brittany’s arm gently. “But if we don’t try, we won’t ever know.”
“You’re right,” Brittany said with a sigh. “Well, thank you both for meeting up with me again. I know it would be simpler to do this over Zoom or something, but I feel better doing this sort of stuff in person.”
Jay nodded. “I understand completely. I’m glad that my lawyer friend had some suggestions. I think the interviews will be fine, and I have a feeling Dr. Pike is going to have a disciplinary hearing in his future after this.”
“I hope so,” I said.
“Me too. Well, I’m going to head out before the roads get too bad,” Brittany said, eyeing the window. It was snowing again, adding another layer to the snow that had already blanketed the whole town.
“Be safe,” Jay said.
Brittany got up and because she hadn’t taken off her coat while we were inside, she was already out the door.
I stood up and shrugged my jacket on, the only thing I had since leaving my coat at the dental office.
“You don’t have a coat,” Jay said, quickly noticing.
“Yeah, I left it at the office. But I’m fine.” I avoided his gaze and started for the door. But then his hand came out, gently grasping my wrist.
“Let me bring it to you,” he pleaded gently.
“I don’t need it,” I assured him, and he dropped my wrist when our eyes met.
