Page 49 of His Pretty Omega
“That’s mine, thanks!”
Jacqueleen, our newest hire, snatched the file from my hand before I had a chance to even get to the door and call my patient back.
Blinking at the back of her teal covered scrubs, I huffed, “Excuse you, what?”
Her hand poised on the knob, she threw a secretive smile at me over her shoulder.
Since she had previously worked at the hospital for years, before Bennett had magically enticed her to fill our open position last month, I had known Jac for years. And I liked her, a lot. She had a thick Boston accent and a wicked sense of humor.
But today I wasn’t feeling the love.
“Go see Bennett,” she instructed me, then when I just stood there, hands planted on my hips, she waved her hand and the file at me. “Shoo.”
“You shoo,” I nearly growled, one hand pressing into my lower back and sticking my extremely round baby belly her way. “What is even happening right now?”
Her blue eyes softened. “Go see the boss. Seth, it’s okay, I promise. I’ve got this.”
Turning on my heel, then catching myself with one hand on the wall because my center of gravity had vanished last month, I grumbled, “Bennett isn’t the boss.”
Jac snorted. “That’s wicked funny. We both know who runs this joint and it ain’t Asher or Jax.”
Jax was our other pediatrician in the practice and Jacqueleen handled her patients, while I handled Asher’s. We were still trying to find another nurse that could float between the two doctors when we had days off or were just overloaded with patients.
Bennett was desperately trying to fill the position before I went on maternity leave next month. If I had my way I’d work up until the time I went into labor, but no one else seemed on board with my plan.
Noticing Asher was still seated behind his desk on my way to Bennett’s office, I pointed a finger at him. “What do you know?”
My boss looked up from the chart he was reading with wide brown eyes. “About?”
Shaking my head, I leaned against the doorframe, one hand resting on the top of my bump. The pup was kicking up a storm this morning, and I soothed a circle over the spot they were kicking the hardest.
“Don’t play innocent with me Asher Pierce. I know when you’re guilty and you look guilty AF right now. Why is Jac stealing my files for your patients and telling me to go see the boss.” I used air quotes around the last part, then arched a brow at him. “We both know that’s not you, but you know something.”
Asher straightened in his chair, running a hand through his blond hair. “I know nothing.”
“Bullshit.”
We stared at each other, neither blinking, before he broke. Just like I knew he would.
Throwing his hands in the air, he slumped in his chair. “I can’t tell you. I’m sworn to secrecy. It’s a surprise.”
“I hate surprises.” Grumbling, I gave him what I hoped was a menacing look.
“Do I have to remind you again about the surprise baby shower you threw me?” Bennett had slinked silently from his office to come up behind me. “That so wasn’t cool.”
Turning to face him, I gasped. “OMG, let it go! Your baby shower was fantastic! And I only like surprises when I’m not on the receiving end of them. What is going on?”
“You don’t have any patients today,” Bennett told me softly.
My head spun from Bennett to Asher and back to Bennett. Hot tears suddenly burned my eyes, and I blinked furiously. If they made my eyeliner smear I was going to be hella pissed.
Seeing my face, Bennett put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me in for a quick hug. “I promise, it’s nothing bad.”
“I’m not starting my maternity leave early!” I declared, dabbing at my eyes, then glared at Asher. “And you can’t fire me! I’m the best nurse you’ve ever had. All the patients and parents love me. And no one else would put up with you!”
“What did I do?” He exclaimed in confusion then glared at Bennett. “I told you doing it this way was a bad idea! And why on earth would you think you were being fired, Seth?”
“I don’t know!” I wailed. “Everyone is acting weird! No one will tell me what’s happening! I hate surprises!” I repeated, stamping my foot. “Someone tell me what’s going on! Right. This. Minute!”
