Page 7 of Shadows of Recovery

Tristan straightened his posture, pushing the papers aside. "Send her in, please."

The door opened, and Tristan's breath caught in his throat. Standing before him was Sophie Everhart, her auburn hair cascading in loose waves around her shoulders, framing her striking hazel eyes. She was stunning, her beauty both delicate and powerful. But what made his heart pound in his chest was the recognition that flooded his mind. Sophie was the woman from his one-night stand several months earlier.

Sophie stepped into the room, her eyes widening. For a moment, the world seemed to stop as their eyes locked, the air thick with unspoken memories.

"Dr. Everhart," Tristan finally managed, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "Please, have a seat."

Sophie nodded, her cheeks flushing slightly as she took the chair opposite him. "Thank you, Dr. Blackwell."

You don’t have to thank me as long as you’re safe.He paused, searching for the right words to address the unexpected reunion.

"I must admit, I wasn't expecting this," he said, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "The last time we met, I didn't even know your full name."

Sophie let out a soft laugh, the tension easing slightly. "I wasn't expecting this either. Small world, I guess."

"Indeed," Tristan agreed, leaning back in his chair. "But let's focus on the reason you're here. The physicians who worked with you here all say good things about you. Your experience during the Waverly Junction crisis was impressive. Can you tell me more about it?"

Sophie nodded, her professional demeanor slipping back into place. "Of course. It was a challenging situation. The power plant fire created a cascade of emergencies, and with the hospital's power compromised, we had to improvise a lot. We set up triage stations, coordinated with other hospitals for patient transfers, and managed with limited resources. It was chaotic, but the team pulled together."

Tristan listened intently, impressed by her composure and leadership. "That kind of experience is invaluable here. We're seeing a significant increase in patient numbers, and we need someone who can handle high-stress situations with the same level of competence."

Sophie smiled, a hint of relief in her eyes. "I believe I can contribute positively to your team, Dr. Blackwell."

Tristan couldn't help but smile back, the initial shock of their reunion giving way to a sense of companionship. "I have no doubt about that, Dr. Everhart. Your reputation precedes you." There was a moment of silence, the air between them charged with unspoken emotions.

Tristan cleared his throat, leaning forward slightly. "Sophie," he began, his voice softer, "about our previous encounter... I want you to know that it won't affect our professional relationship. We both have a job to do, and I have full confidence in your abilities."

Sophie met his gaze, her hazel eyes sincere. "Thank you, Tristan. I feel the same way. Let's focus on making this emergency room the best it can be."

Tristan nodded, a sense of resolve settling over him. "Agreed. Welcome to Waverly County Hospital, Dr. Everhart. I look forward to working with you."

As Sophie stood to leave, Tristan couldn't help but feel a mixture of anticipation and curiosity about what the future held. Their paths had crossed again unexpectedly, but perhaps it was fate.

After Sophie left, Tristan eased back in his seat, letting out a long breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Sophie Everhart was even more beautiful than he remembered, her auburn hair and hazel eyes searing themselves into his memory once more. He had just hired her, a decision based on her impeccable reputation and the glowing referrals she had received. But as he sat there, his thoughts took a less professional turn, imagining clearing everything off his desk and taking her again, just like that unforgettable night.

Tristan banged his head against the back of his chair, hating himself for how improper his thoughts were. He pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to regain control. After sitting and thinking for a few minutes, he realized he needed advice. Picking up his phone, he dialed the number of his close friend and colleague, Dr. Chris Skylar, the head psychiatrist at the Blackwell Institute.

The phone rang twice before Chris answered, "Hey, Tristan. What's up?"

"Chris, I need your help." Tristan tried to keep the desperation out of his voice. "Do you have a minute?"

"Of course. What's going on?"

Tristan took a deep breath. "I just interviewed and hired a new ER physician, Dr. Sophie Everhart. She’s incredibly qualified, but there’s a complication. No easy way to say this…but we had a one-night stand a few months ago."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line before Chris responded, "Wow, that’s quite a situation. How are you feeling about it?" He was clearly using his best psychiatrist speak.

"Conflicted. She’s perfect for the job, but I can't stop thinking about that night. I need to know how unethical it would be if...if I pursued something with her while she's working under me."

Chris sighed thoughtfully. "Alright, let's break this down. From an ethical standpoint, dating someone who works under you in a professional setting is fraught with complications. The primary concern is the power dynamic. As her supervisor, there’s an inherent imbalance of power, which can complicate consent and make the relationship seem coercive, even if it’s not."

Tristan nodded, even though Chris couldn’t see him. "Right, I get that. But if it's consensual, and we keep it professional at work, does that change anything?"

"It does and it doesn’t," Chris replied. "While mutual consent is crucial, the appearance of impropriety can still cause issues. It could lead to perceptions of favoritism, undermine your authority, and create tension among the staff. Even if you both handle it perfectly, the optics could still be damaging. What’s the hospital fraternization policy?”

“I don’t know.” Tristan sighed, rubbing his temple. "So you're saying it’s a bad idea."

"I’m saying it’s a very complicated idea," Chris corrected gently. "If you truly have feelings for her and believe there’s potential for a real relationship, you need to consider the timing and context. It might be wise to avoid any romantic involvement while she’s directly reporting to you. Perhaps see if there’s a way she can be reassigned or wait until one of you moves into a different role."

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