Page 53 of Hidden Desire

“Hey, babe. When are you getting off?”

“If I only knew,” Stassi replied. “But I’m calling because Olivia isn’t feeling well, and we have a waiting room full of patients. Is there…”

“I’m on my way.” Sage hung up before Stassi could even thank her.

“Sage will come to relieve you. Do you think you could take care of the patients until she gets here, though?”

“Yes!” Olivia wrapped her arms around her. “Thank you so much, Stassi.”

Stassi shrugged. “Congrats on your pregnancy.” They both turned and hurried to the front desk, where another patient had come in to get checked in. “Name and date of birth,” she asked in greeting.

She thought being at the hospital, she would be able to keep some distance between her and Sage. The guilt from the fact that her father was Martin Hewitt had totally taken over her movements and she wasn’t sure how much longer she’d be able to hide in this fragile bubble of privacy.

Sage arrived at the hospital just a half an hour later and she greeted Stassi at the reception desk. “That was fast,” Stassi replied.

Sage shrugged. “I was happy to help. I just ran into Olivia, and she looked practically green, the poor girl.”

“She’s pregnant,” Stassi whispered.

Sage’s eyes lit up. “Then I guess she isn’t so poor after all.” She laughed. “Great reason to be sick, I’d say.” She grabbed a chart and called out her first patient. As she turned, she gave Stassi a wink before disappearing with the patient. Stassi sighed, her head a mess. Was that an insinuation about Sage wanting a family, full of love, a child, and a dog, perhaps? You’re getting way ahead of yourself. First you have to get through the omissions and lies. And that was a work in progress.

Sage

Sage glanced over at the reception desk, where another two patients stood. Whenever she went to grab a patient, Sage was swamped. She wanted to speak with her, tell her that maybe they could grab a quick bite during patients, but it didn’t seem like they were going to ever get that chance. She had to accept it because she liked the fact that Stassi had a great work ethic. It was one of the things that continued to draw her closer to her. That and the fact that she had a killer body.

She smirked, the thought resting in her mind. “What are you laughing about?” She glanced at the sound of Lena’s voice. She had just stepped off the elevator and was staring at Sage.

“Nothing,” she lied.

Lena shook her head. “I highly doubt that. Is it because of this woman?” She held open a magazine, and Sage glanced at it. She tore it from Lena’s hand and stared at the pages where Stassi was beaming. She recognized the outfits. Sage had spent the whole day watching her as people fell all over her. It felt so long ago that Sage had practically forgotten that day had occurred.

“Where’d you find this?”

Lena laughed. “It’s called a grocery store. They have a whole slew of magazines and look.” Lena closed the magazine and held it up. “She made the front cover. Have to admit, she looks good.” She shrugged. “Don’t tell her I said that, though.” Lena laughed. “Wouldn’t want her thinking I was checking her out or something.”

Sage rolled her eyes. “Nah, wouldn’t want that.” She grabbed the magazine back and flipped through it again. She shook her head. Was she totally in her element? She looked happy, her piercing smile lighting up the cover. She glanced up and started to hand the magazine back. “You’re right, though, she does look good.”

Lena held up her hand. “That’s your copy. I figured you hadn’t seen it, since you didn’t mention it. I got a few copies just in case anyone wanted to see Stassi in a whole new light.” She laughed, and Sage rolled her eyes at that comment. “Anyway, I want to grab something to eat.”

“Can’t. I wasn’t even supposed to work today. The waiting room hasn’t once let up. I could really use the help to room some patients if you want to work on your lunch hour.” Sage laughed.

“Gee, it’s such a wonderful idea.” Lena frowned, then shrugged. “Then again, anything to help my friend out.”

Sage arched an eyebrow, and Lena motioned for them to go to the front desk. She was partly teasing, but if Lena wanted to assist, then she would gladly take the reinforcements. When they reached the front desk, and Lena grabbed a chart, Stassi turned and stared.

Sage held the magazine behind her and shrugged. “Guess Lena was bored in peds.”

“Not hardly,” Lena mumbled, before calling out another patient.

Sage grabbed a chart, hiding the magazine underneath it. If Stassi didn’t want Sage to see it, then she wouldn’t rub it in her face. She called out the patient, then turned and hurried to room them. It was how the rest of the day went. It wasn’t until five, when they had their first lull in patients. Sage collapsed against the counter.

“When does your replacement come in?” she asked.

“I saw Geneva listed on the schedule for eight. You?”

“Not until midnight,” Sage scowled. Glancing at her watch, she tilted her head. “The next patient doesn’t come in for thirty minutes.” She grabbed Stassi’s hand and pulled her to her feet.

“And?” There was a slight grin on Stassi’s face, but she still looked confused.

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