Page 23 of Hidden Desire

“What?” Sage asked. “What was that all about? I know Sage would love for you to be there.” Sage batted her eyes, in replication of how the statement came across.

Lena laughed. “I didn’t look like that.”

“You might as well have,” Sage mumbled.

“Are you ladies coming?” Sage turned to Marcus who had the elevator door open for them. Sage led the way to the door and stepped in next to Stassi. Marcus pressed the two buttons for the floors, with Lena and him getting off on their floor first. That left Stassi and Sage to take two floors alone. A situation that Sage expected to be unbearable. When the doors closed, though, Stassi started the conversation.

“Happy Hour sounds like fun. I’ll be there. That is, if you really want me to.” She gave a slight laugh and Sage met her gaze. Stassi’s face lit up and Sage nodded. “Perfect.” The doors opened and Stassi got off first. She turned around and gave Sage a grin. “Everyone that works here is so nice. I couldn’t have asked to have a better group of work friends.” She turned and walked away from Sage.

Sage shook her head. The intensity of the way Stassi stared at her, made her all hot and bothered. She couldn’t imagine that feeling ending anytime soon. She went to the nurse’s station, where Kimberly, a nurse that works with Physical Therapy was crying. Heather, one of the PTs was patting her on the shoulder.

“What’s wrong?” Sage asked.

Heather looked up and grimaced. “Kim just got notified that her hours have been slashed in half.”

Kim shook her head. “I have two kids that rely on my income. I’m not married, and I have no one. How could they do this?” She sobbed, leaning into the counter.

Sage shook her head, disgusted with how the budgets were handled. Sage looked over to the front desk, where Stassi was back to working, her back towards Sage. Something had to change. If they didn’t get answers soon, there wasn’t any guarantee of the future of them or the hospital.

Stassi

Stassi tossed another outfit to the side, then panned back through her closet. She had to have something in there that would be a mix of chic and casual. She threw another outfit out and then went back through her closet. She grabbed a navy jumpsuit that she had only worn a couple of times, before deciding she wasn’t sure it was a look she was interested in. She held it up in front of her and stared at her reflection in the mirror. It had a bow that was at her bust, allowing her to accentuate her breasts. Perhaps tonight was the night to bring it back out of the closet. Besides, time was getting away from her.

Stassi changed into the outfit and again stared at her reflection. With the right touch of makeup, it would make the outfit really pop. She hoped Sage liked it, because truthfully that was the one person she wanted to impress.

There was little to go on, in believing that maybe Sage wanted something more than a friendship between them. She went to touch her, and Sage rebuked her advances. Yet, Lena acted like Sage was interested and that was something small that Stassi could hold onto. At least it was something. When Sage looked in her direction, Stassi got the butterflies that one could feel when someone was interested. Stassi already knew she was, so now it was just trying to figure out the other party.

The hospital had rented out a small Taqueria that was located two miles from the hospital. Stassi had been there only once before, when she had a meeting set up with a potential advertising agent. It was nice because it had a pool table and darts, along with an olden jukebox that played the current mix of music. But because her new friends were going to be there, she had more of a reason to feel overjoyed.

As she took the drive, she used the opportunity to attempt to get ahold of her file. She had tried several times over the past week, but she was always greeted with the same thing, his voicemail. Tonight wasn’t a different story. The message sounded and the beep echoed through the phone.

“Dad, I don’t know why you’re so busy, or if you’re just ignoring my calls, but please…I need to speak with you. It’s a matter of life or death. Call me.” She disconnected the call before she could rethink the message. That was what had happened every other time she called. She got done with leaving a lengthy message, only to chicken out and delete it, ultimately leaving it as a missed call. Maybe this time it would elicit a response from her.

When Stassi pulled into the parking lot, it was already full of cars. It did appear that everyone came out to these get-togethers. Stassi was happy to see that. She entered the taqueria and a woman was standing at the entrance, speaking with someone that Stassi only briefly knew. She believed her name was Rona. The woman standing with her, though, turned and greeted Stassi with a wave. She rushed over to her.

“Are you Stassi?” she asked.

Stassi frowned. “I’m sorry, have we met?”

The woman laughed. “No, but I’ve heard a lot about the beautiful blonde with the radiating eyes.” She smirked. “I think everyone else is here.”

Stassi wasn’t sure how to take the compliment. Who did she hear this from? The woman was quick to explain that too.

“Lena,” she pointed. “I’m with her.” Lena and Marcus stood at the bar. They were doing shots and it appeared like they were trying to see who could out beat who.”

“Oh, you’re Maya, Lena’s girlfriend?” Maya smiled wider. “I’ve heard a lot about you, too.”

Maya laughed. “Welcome.” She threw her hands up. “I’ve been around to see many of these Happy Hours, and I assure you that you will not be disappointed. Just enjoy yourself.” She patted Stassi on the shoulder and then walked back to Rona. She was friendly and Stassi could see why Lena would be attracted to her. They seemed to have much in common, including a bubbly persona. Stassi smirked to herself remembering how she once perceived that maybe Sage and Lena were a couple and how it was quickly realized she was wrong.

Stassi moved in closer to where Lena and Marcus were still knocking shots back. Sage stood at the edge watching them. She wore a green t-shirt and black jeans, and Stassi allowed her eyes to wander just a little too long. She latched her gaze on Sage’s ass, which was hugged perfectly in those jeans. She bit down on her lip and stared. When she looked up, Sage had her gaze directed at her. Stassi’s cheeks felt as if they were on fire, and she gave a smile. Sage walked over to her.

“Hey,” Sage replied in greeting. “Lena and Marcus are practically drunk already. I think I’ll need to be their DD.” She smirked and then looked down over Stassi’s outfit. “You look nice.”

Stassi smiled. “As do you.” She pointed to the thin chain that hung around Sage’s neck. “You always have such nice chains.”

Sage grinned. “And I have a story behind most. Maybe you’ll hear one or two some other time.”

“I would like that.” She wasn’t confident to say she would love that, because that would mean they were inching even closer together. Something she wouldn’t fight.

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