Page 23 of Dr. Alaska
Her posture relaxed on a light snicker that made his heart thump. “Perhaps you would like to hear the beverage specials?”
Mav dropped onto the couch next to her, handing her one fig package and leaning forward to plate his bar on a folded napkin set at perfect right angles. “What do you recommend, garçon?”
Pursing her lips, she held an arm up as if a make-believe napkin were draped over it. “For you, sir,” she intoned, raising her light brown eyebrows, “I recommend the vintage Shasta lemon-lime cola. It’s like drinking a tropical sunrise with delicate undertones of ultrasound gel and chemical disinfectant.”
“Tempting. Do you have something that will pair with my heartier dessert?”
“Ah, sir, I can tell you have a discerning palate.” Her fingertips grazed his forearm as her eyes sparkled.
Mav’s stomach took a nosedive. A basic instinct drove him to make her smile and touch him again.
She continued, “In that case, may I suggest the house reserve Shasta root beer. It tastes exactly like filling out paperwork feels like. Emptiness with a numb aftertaste of despair that lingers without satisfying.” Lee kissed her fingers. “Magnifique.”
“Shastalicious.” Mav crossed the room to open the refrigerator, pulled out a plain Shasta cola, and returned to the couch. “I prefer a beverage that embodies professional suffering that is raw and underpaid, without any hope whatsoever of the sweet, sweet release of retirement.”
She choked back a laugh, then eyed his drink choice with brow-raised disdain. “Shasta cola. So plebian.” A sniff. “I suppose I’ll allow you to dine with me.”
A laugh came up from his gut. “Good to know you’ll lower your standards.”
Her smile froze, then dropped.
Mav’s neck muscles tensed. Somehow he’d hit a nerve. He wanted to find out what caused that pain, but this wasn’t the appropriate time or place.
“Cheers.” He lifted the small can of soda and thumped it against her flimsy apple juice cup.
They ate in thoughtful silence for a few minutes until the space between them changed from companionable to awkward.
When he finished his snack and wiped his mouth, he leaned back against the couch cushion and halfway faced her. “How’d Aggie take the news?”
Lee propped her elbows on her knees, folded her hands in front of her, and rested her chin on the fingertips. “Those are difficult conversations, and they take a lot out of me. They’re hard for the family, of course. As I’m explaining the situation, I always think about what else I could have done better with the situation.” With a sigh, she sat back, lacing her fingers together on her lap and turned toward him. “She’s a tough lady. Aggie was half worried and half mad, because—and I quote—‘If I’m the only one who cares about that big galloop’s health, then someone’s spending too much time and energy.’ I mean, she’s got a good point.”
“Bruce is a known mess, but he’sourmess. We’ll keep him duct-taped together.”
“Fair. Aggie was also worried about traveling to Fairbanks. She’s got her own health issues, and it’s hard for her to get out in the cold weather to drive. I told her that the doctors and nurses there would keep her updated, and she could go tomorrow when roads are better and she’s more rested. She was going to contact her son and let him know what was happening. He’ll try to catch a flight to Fairbanks if the weather lets him. Apparently, he’s an ER doc in Seattle, so it’ll be good for Bruce to have a family member who understands the situation and what Bruce needs to do to recover.”
“That’s Calvin. He grew up here. Bruce isn’t going to appreciate the medical expertise. He’s likely to give Cal an earful.” It had been years since Cal had been back. The guy might get an earful from some other folks in town, as well. “God willing, Bruce survives to complain another day.” The silence in the room spread out like a warm blanket. “Hey, did you have time for a debrief?”
“With the team after the code? Informally. Why?” She made to get up, and he gently squeezed her forearm to still her. “Do you want to provide feedback?” she said as the corners of her mouth dropped again.
She eased back onto the couch. The way she said the last word indicated thatfeedbackmeantcriticism.
“Hey. My only comment is that you did a great job tonight.” He turned, moving his arm to drape over the couch cushions, wanting to be close but not crowd her. “That situation was not a guaranteed win.”
A flicker of doubt furrowed her forehead, and she finally answered. “Felt like a fish out of water.”
“You’re a doctor no matter where you practice. You have the training, and when it came time, you knew what to do.”
“With help.”
“No one does this work on their own, Doc. Not even a cocky paramedic who thinks he knows it all.”
She paused. “Lee.”
Mav held her gaze. “Do I have first-name permission now?”
Her gaze softened. “As you said, we got off on the wrong foot. I got defensive and leaned on rank.”
“I was out of line with my big mouth. Besides, it’s your rank to throw around.”
