Page 43 of Hidden Desire

“I was never intimate with Lena,” Sage argued.

Stassi shrugged. “Okay, maybe the relationships haven’t been the same, but you are best friends with Lena, and I am best friends with Ariel. She knows me better than anyone else. She was there for me when I lost my mom, and it’s sometimes hard for her to have boundaries. It’s something she’s going to have to learn. But the bottom line is that is the life I used to know.” Stassi smiled. “I won’t deny that I enjoyed the photoshoot this weekend, but I am more than that now.”

“And I don’t want you to have to change that. If you enjoy it, then you should do it.”

“But, babe,” Stassi continued. “What I’ve learned about myself is that while I do enjoy that, I enjoy new parts of my life much more. If I wouldn’t have come to the hospital, I would have never met you. And I can’t imagine how drab my life would have continued to be. We’re going on two months of knowing each other, and I believe we can only continue to get stronger. You’ve encouraged me to be down-to-earth. You’ve encouraged me to be a better person.”

Sage enjoyed hearing that, but it didn’t change certain things. “You still buy expensive coffees. While, yes, you have toned down the accessorizing at the office, when you’re out, you still glam it up. I’m the jeans and t-shirt kind of person.”

“And that’s okay. You look great in that, but just because I got a regular job and not doing the modeling regularly, does that mean I can’t look good while I’m doing it? Besides, I like those coffees, and I’m working to have less go into getting ready for the day. Doesn’t that account for something?”

Sage rolled her eyes and dropped her gaze. It was better to say nothing at all than to argue about why she disagreed with those comments.

“You say you’re out of your comfort zone this weekend, but I can assure you that I’m out of my comfort zone at the hospital nearly every day.”

Sage frowned. “You look like you’re making your place there, though. I haven’t noticed you struggling recently.”

Stassi smirked. “Well, that’s because you’ve been there. And things have improved greatly from when I first started, but it hasn’t been easy. I’m not certain that Lena and Marcus like me, other than they know that you and I are close. They probably feel like they’re forced to have lunch with me.”

“That’s not true,” Sage quickly denied, yet Stassi shrugged.

“It’s how I feel, though. So maybe my thoughts are just as unfounded as yours are.” Stassi quirked up her lips. “Do you think?”

Sage laughed, shaking her head. Stassi worked to reassure Sage, and for that, she was grateful. Everything wouldn’t be resolved overnight, but Sage believed they were one step closer.

Stassi

Stassi could understand Sage’s worries, but she had to calm her down. She didn’t want Sage to bolt from a relationship just when things were heating up. They both had problems to overcome. She needed to feel more confident in her abilities at the hospital and her ability to make new friends. Different worries, but one not less than the other.

As the next workday arrived, Stassi decided to make it her best yet. She always felt it was cumbersome to work solely off the computer system for appointments and grabbing the chart. If she could work on one patient on the system while prepping the other with the medical record chart, she could get double the work done in the same amount of time. That way, she wouldn’t feel forced to work extra time off the clock.

By the time lunchtime arrived, she had it working with ease, keeping up with the patients she was currently checking in and still getting all the charts prepped for the upcoming patients. What was even better was that the system was working like an assembly line, and she didn’t feel pressure to get to the next patient.

Sage was busy during the morning. First, she had a meeting, and then patients one after another, but Stassi couldn’t wait to tell her about her new system. When she spotted Sage coming out of a room, looking ragged, she waved her down.

“Able to take lunch?”

Sage smiled, “Best invitation I’ve had all day. Let’s go.” They went downstairs to the cafeteria and Lena and Marcus were already there. They looked like they were already done with lunch and just killing time, when Sage and Stassi joined them at their table.

“Hey, you two,” Sage said.

Stassi waved, still wanting to feel like she was in their friend group, and not just there because of Sage. “How are you both doing?” Marcus asked, chewing on a piece of celery.

“Been doing well. It’s been a busy day, but Stassi can vouch for that as well. Isn’t that right, Stassi?” There was Stassi’s opening, and she was happy to take it.

“Yeah, it’s been a killer. We’re down an OT and two nurses.” Lena groaned as Stassi talked. “But I think I’ve finally got it down to a system. I have worked it out so that I have all the charts prepped before the patient comes in. I can check them in and still get the next patient’s chart worked. It’s saved so much time, and I feel like I’m ahead of the game.”

“Great job!” Sage beamed with pride.

“Does rich girl want a gold star for doing her job?” Lena snidely asked.

“Lena!” Sage scolded.

Stassi widened her eyes. It was so out of character for Lena. Although she thought she could be a bit abrasive at times, she seemed to warm up to Stassi and never came across as rude or condescending.

“Don’t mind, Lena,” Marcus stated. “She’s just in a mood. And not a good one.” He rolled his eyes.

Lena winced. “He’s right. It’s just frustrating. I haven’t gotten all the signatures, and I have to pull all this paperwork together. It’s a lot harder than I expected to start a union.”

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