Page 54 of Hidden Desire

“Well, I was thinking that you and I could slip into a room and make ourselves comfortable. If you know what I mean.”

Stassi laughed as Sage pulled her behind her, but then Stassi caught herself, digging her heels into the floor. “Actually, it’s a divine thought, but I really should be prepping the charts.”

Sage groaned. “Is it all about work?”

Stassi sighed. “When we’re at the hospital, it should be.” She shrugged. “I’m sorry.” She turned on her heel and walked to the chart room. Sage frowned. She didn’t expect to be dissed in that way. She started to head to the triage room, when the elevator doors opened, and Lena stepped off.

“I’m glad you’re still here.” Lena hurried over to Sage. “Did you check your emails?”

“Are you kidding me? I did say I’ve been swamped, didn’t I?”

Lena waved her hand with her phone and then looked down and fiddled with it before handing it to Sage. Sage looked down at what appeared to be an invitation.

“You’re invited to the 1st Annual Fundraising Gala. Employees get a discounted ticket for $70.” She looked up and shook her head. “What’s this?”

“That’s what I would like to know. Looks like the head honchos think that charging us to go to a gala to raise money for the hospital is exactly what we need. They make us work unpaid OT. They cut the hours for the other half of the staff. They take away benefits for the senior employees, and they expect that we’ll just gladly shell out some money to pad their pockets? Well, no thank you.” Lena huffed, shaking her head.

“Hey, Lena,” Stassi stepped out of the records room, a pile of charts in her arms.

“Hey, Stassi.” Lena didn’t even bother looking up. Sage saw the disappointment still etched on her face.

“Everything alright?” Stassi asked, stopping just shy of them.

Sage held the phone up for Stassi to read. “They’re holding a fundraising gala, and they expect us to pay to go,” she said, shaking her head.

“Could be fun,” Stassi replied. “I mean, I’ve been to a few in my time and never left disappointed.” She hesitated. “You don’t want to go?”

Sage frowned. She had to continue to remind herself of the different lifestyles they were brought up in. It was nothing for Stassi to jet off to a gala in another state, whereas Sage wasn’t used to those high-maintenance issues. “I guess it is frustrating to think that they want us to go when the pay is crap. You know?”

Stassi gave a soft smile. “I get that, but maybe it will actually help. I better get these charts back to the desk. I’m just saying that I wouldn’t mind going, if I were going with someone who I enjoyed spending time with...” With that, she turned and headed to the desk.

“Wow!” Lena muttered. “You’re hooked.”

Sage turned and stared, then released a laugh. “I mean, she kind of has a point.”

Lena grabbed the phone and took another look, then shrugged. “I guess if you’re going, I might consider it. Guess we’ll see if we’re off that night. I’m headed out. When do you get off?”

“Not until Midnight.”

Lena playfully tapped her shoulder. “I’ll be thinking of you while I’m lounging in bed and watching Netflix.” She laughed and waved, then headed back for the elevator.

Sage considered the email and turned to the front desk, where the patient was already being checked in. It would be nice to go out with Stassi in public, where everyone at the hospital would see them together, and if Stassi was up for it, she wouldn’t argue.

Sage entered the apartment at one o’clock. An ominous feeling hit her. She was sure that Stassi was in bed since it was so late. But part of her had hoped Stassi would have stayed awake so they could talk, discussing their busy day working. But she couldn’t expect Stassi to stay up just because it was what Sage wanted.

She released a yawn. Perhaps it was even a good thing that they couldn’t talk because that would have wound them up in bed, and she needed to get a few hours of sleep before she had to get back up and start her day.

When Sage entered the bedroom, though, there was a huge difference from other times she arrived home so late. Stassi wasn’t in the bedroom. She turned and headed out of the room, curious as to where she could be at such a late hour.

Sage

Just got home, and you’re not here. A tad worried. Please respond ASAP.

Sage began pacing. It was so late. Perhaps Stassi had gone back to her apartment? With no word, though, it was hard to decipher if that’s where she could be.

Stassi

I’m fine. I just needed to get some things done at my apartment. I’ll see you later. Have a great day at work tomorrow.

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