Page 3 of Chosen Beta

I can’t help but cringe at the thought of having to add something else onto my ever-growing list of things that need to be done, but I know now he’s about to ask for something, and he’s in charge of everything in this medical wing. He’s the one who keeps it all running smoothly.

I can’t afford to lose him.

Whatever he wants, it’s going to have to skip to the front of the line.

“And I don’t want to add to your troubles …” he goes on.

“Oh, God, please don’t tell me you have to leave!” I blurt, feeling my face warm at the outburst.

If he goes, there’s no way I’ll be able to replace him.

He’s been too damn perfect.

The thought of losing him ties my stomach up in knots.

“Sorry, that sounded dramatic,” I add, trying to cover my horror with a moment of levity. “I’ve barely had a sip of coffee this morning. I’m a complete drama queen before caffeine.”

He laughs lightly at the weird rhyming joke, even though it’s not the slightest bit funny.

“I get it. Must be tough to run this place.”

“It’s not exactly a walk in the park,” I admit. “I’d hate to lose your expertise. I know the contract is temporary and that’s not ideal, but if there’s anything I can do to keep you from moving on to something else, just name it.”

I hold my breath while I wait for him to give me the bad news.

He’s mulling over what I’ve said, I think, but he shakes his head.

“It’s not about …” he starts, his voice low, making me move slightly closer to avoid missing whatever he’s about to say.

He’s cut off by the harsh, unbelievably loud zing of an incoming Tannoy announcement.

The unexpected sound makes me jump on the spot, which makes me spill a good third of my coffee onto my hands and the floor between us.

I glance back up, and discover that, thankfully, not a drop landed on him.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

“I’m fine,” I murmur, as I take a couple steps away from him to set the mug down on the counter by the sink.

“Dr. Clarke to private room number nine immediately please. Patient emergency.”

He lets out a sigh. “I’m sorry, sounds like I have to go.”

“Of course.”

A patient needs him, and he’s already rushing to their side.

Hopefully, he’ll stay too busy to quit on me.

I wash my hands, and then I grab a towel to clean up the mess on the floor.

Once I’m done cleaning up, I tip the rest of the coffee down the sink and rinse out my mug.

Whatever Dr. Clarke wanted to talk to me about will have to wait.

It’s time I got back to work.

Chapter Two

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