Page 44 of Stat: Love In Scrubs
“What’s on your mind?” she asked.
“Does the hospital still offer grants to community programs that align with the hospital's values?”
She laid the folders in her hands against the desk, then clasped her hands in front of her.
“We do. Did you have someone in mind?”
I nodded, then went into details about Yara’s business and what they offer. Mrs. Hamilton listened without interruption until I finished. She smiled up at me.
“Wow, how long has Esa been going to the program, and do you think it has benefited her?”
“My baby was beyond reserved and into herself, but as the months go on, she has opened herself up. I have reassured her, but they offered the key puzzles I didn’t realize she needed. Not to mention, most of the people in the program have experienced the same loss. Including the founder.”
Mrs. Hamilton crossed her arms against her chest and tilted her head to the side.
“You speak so highly of Ms. Sinclair; she must be an amazing woman.”
I couldn’t help but smile at the thought of her and the passion she had for this business.
“The best. There’s no one in this world like her, and this hospital couldn’t find a better person to connect with in this manner. Not to mention, we would continue to build trust with the doctors here and the community. You know we have good people here, but if the community can’t see that, it wouldn’t matter,” I told her.
“I hear you. You don’t have to convince me; give her my card and have her reach out so we can schedule a meeting. Oh, and I am going to assume she is also the one we’re competing with for your attention, huh?” she asked.
I couldn’t hold back my smirk as I stood from my chair. I shrugged and made my way towards the door.
“I don’t know if competing is the word I would use, but she is definitely a vital part of my decision. But it won’t be because ofher, more of what she and Esa represent to me. Not to mention what I want my legacy in life to be.”
“I can’t argue with that. Well, don’t let me keep you from your patients, and I look forward to hearing your final answer. I hate to say this, but I selfishly hope you choose this position; however, if you don’t, I understand that as well. Some of us here aren’t as lucky to find love twice in the way you have.”
I couldn’t respond. Love had never crossed my mind. Was I in love? Or was I infatuated with the idea of a future with her? Addicted to the way she made me feel, enraptured in her beauty and her mind, in the way she handled my daughter. Damn, maybe love was close to what I felt for her, but it felt like more than the word itself.
The thoughts of Yara took precedence in my mind the entire way back to the Obstetrics floor. It took a few hours before I could head to my overnight room for the night. When you worked a 24-hour shift, you had a place to lay your head to catch a nap before being called up again.
When I closed the door behind me, the first person I called was Yara. I wanted to make sure she was good and that she had everything she needed. It rang a few times until her sweet tone came through.
“Hello, Dr. Wilder, how can I help you?” she asked.
“I can’t call and check in on you, baby? You haven’t missed me today?”
“Missed, isn’t the word. You’re worried about me when you’ve been on your feet all this time,” she pointed out.
I ran a hand down my face and then cleared my throat. I pulled my phone from my ear and then tapped the FaceTime logo next to her name.
“Answer, I need you to see my face when I say this.”
I waited a moment, and she answered. She is lying in bed with a bright pink bonnet covering her hair. She has a tired smile on her face, but I can still see the strain behind it all.
“You’re my heart, Baby. I don’t take matters of the heart like a joke. I don’t care if I was out without a thing to my name, I’m always going to want to make sure you’re straight. You hear me?”
“I hear you, Love.”
I smiled. “That’s more like it. Now tell me about your day. I want to hear everything, regardless of what it is. All I’ve been looking at is pregnant bellies all day.”
“I would say that’s pretty fascinating, wouldn’t you?” she asked.
“Always. But I still find what you have to say the most sensational thing of my day. So, stop beating around the bush and tell me about your day.”
Yara released a breath, then pulled the covers tighter around her as if a breeze wafted into her room.
