She shot me a look and I shrugged.
“Believe me or don’t. It’s up to you. But having a reputation as a gossip won’t be a good thing. You know how it is,” I said. “People always vilify women much more than they do men.”
It was her turn to stare ahead this time. “I’m not a gossip.” Her tone had lost its confidence.
“I know that, Gilly. I get that it was just a misunderstanding on your part. I’m not sure what Jacob will say. You know how well-connected he is. You don’t want things to be over for you before they begin.”
She let out a fake laugh. “Of course they won’t be. Anyway, like you said. It was just a misunderstanding. I was just hoping the two of you were having some kind of illicit affair. Then I could live vicariously.”
I pulled my mouth into a smile. “If I were having an affair with Jacob Cove, I’d want to shout it from the rooftops.”
“Wouldn’t we all? You think he’s single?” she asked.
I let out a long, slow breath. “Who knows? Have you asked him?”
“Maybe when we change rotations, I’ll suggest a drink.”
The idea of Jacob spending any time with Gilly outside of the hospital made me want to vomit, but at least the attention had been focused away from me.
I’d been lucky this time. I wouldn’t put myself in a position where I had to rely on a roll of the dice again.