Page 51 of Detention with Daddies

I’m sure this call will be no different.

“Well, Dr. Rivers, it’s come to my attention that you may be in a compromised position, and you know the board’s views on fraternization.” His voice drawls like a cat who lapped up too much cream.

“Mmm. I am aware of the board’s views. As I am aware of the rules in place at this facility. I can assure you that I am notfraternizingwith anyone I am not allowed to. No one under my employ. No one who is a student of mine. But if someone has an office, or a space, or a project, or a client that happens to be under this roof. In my building. That does not entail fraternization.”

Baxter clears his throat. “It does when it interferes with work or casts our organization in a negative light.”

“No, Mr. Baxter. It does not. I saw the email thread. I know what you’re referring to. And I am not having a relationship with anyone that affects my job or anyone else’s. I hold no powerover the young lady in question, and our friendship”—God, it hurts me to call it that, but it’s safer for her if I do—“is no one’s business. What I can tell you is that the nurse who started this whole mess has made attempts to be betterfriendswith me on multiple occasions. Which I have shut down every time. Becausethatwould be inappropriate.”

Baxter hums.

“And I will shut it down again. Because her behavior and this email thread is against our policies. And as her boss, I will handle it. Now, is there anything else I can do for you, Mr. Baxter.”

If he hears my stress on calling him mister, he doesn’t respond to it. “Be careful, Dr. Rivers. There are plenty of people who can take your place who are married and won’t have these same issues.”

I laugh darkly. “If you think marriage can keep a man’s dick in his pants when he wants someone else, you’re sorely mistaken. Bye now.”

I hang up the phone before he can insult me or insinuate anything further. My hands spread across my desk. The fury churning inside of me needs an outlet, but I have none readily available. And that doesn’t bode well.

A few more emails come in from other board members and colleagues, asking serious and personal questions about my relationship with Olivia. Threats about how easily I could lose this job if they make a single phone call to the right person.

Jealousy from the people who were overlooked when I got the job ten years ago. But they’ll have to take serious action to fire me. And I know more than one good lawyer.

The thoughts have spiraled into a dark tailspin, tension tightening my shoulders so that when a soft knock sounds at my parted door, I bark out a gruff, “What?”

But when I turn around, Olivia’s eyes widen at what she must see in my face. She takes a step back, brows furrowing. “What’s wrong?”

Part of me wants to throw something, and the other part wants to trap her against my door. I advance on her, closing the door behind her, even though that’s not helpful in this situation.

I hate that she jumps when her back hits the door, and I pause, working to regroup. To stifle my anger.

This isn’t her fault.

OLIVIA

Matteo is scary when he’s upset. The darkness of his eyes and the stern set of his mouth showcase his anger.

Is this how other people usually see him? I’ve never seen this kind of dark emotion from him before. Never been put off by his serious nature.

He pauses when I hit the door with my back and jump. Does he think I’m flinching away from him?

His eyes soften, and his head drops for a second. “I’m sorry, Olivia. You are not the problem.”

I bite my lip, reaching a hand out to him. “Tell me what’s going on.”

The way Matteo sighs has dread sinking into my stomach, but he takes my hand in his. “My son posted a picture of the two of you making cupcakes online.”

Okay. That’s not so bad. I told him that he could. We weren’t doing anything wrong, but the issue that stems from it hangs in the air.

“And some rumors started in the center. I’m not sure if you’re aware, but there’s nothing nurses and doctors like more than to gossip. Since they can’t about their patients, they focus on eachother.” He’s closing the distance between us, as I turn over what that means.

“And they’ve started talking about me.”

He nods. “About my giving you favoritism. Us having an inappropriate relationship.”

I frown. “Of course. It’s not true though.”

Nothing about this feels inappropriate. Although being alone in his office with the door closed could make it so, but everything else is rubbish.

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