Page 115 of Nice Guys Don't Kiss Like That At Christmas
“I’m calling because I’m concerned about your career, Eve.”His voice takes on that rehearsed sincerity I know too well.“This small-town detour isn’t going to look good on your resume.”
To my right, Megan’s class is practicing their Christmas songs, their voices carrying across the square.Megan spots me and waves frantically, nearly knocking over the kid next to her.
“Are you even listening to me?”Chuck’s irritation bleeds through.“This is exactly the problem.You never listen.Even when I’m trying to help you.”
“What do you want, Chuck?”I finally interrupt, my patience wearing thin as I watch Adam crouch to Megan’s level, his jeans pulling tight across his thighs in a way that makes me very warm despite the December chill.Especially as he shows the kids how to step away from the dogs, to ask for authorization before petting them.To be gentle and responsible all at once.
He exhales sharply.“Fine.Let me be direct since you’re clearly too busy playing small-town nurse to focus.”His voice shifts to that clipped tone he uses when delivering bad news to patients.“I’m launching a medical podcast next month.The Edison Method.”
This finally captures my full attention.“A podcast?”
“I did send you a text mentioning I was thinking about it.But I’m a man of action, you know that.I’ll be examining medical errors, protocol violations, patient advocacy gone wrong.”His voice takes on that academic tone he uses for presentations.“My first episode is already scripted.‘When Healthcare Providers Go Rogue: A Case Study.’”
Ice slides down my spine despite the winter sunshine.I see Sally emerge from Rosie’s a couple of feet away, carrying what appears to be last year’s fire department charity calendar.Several women gather around her, giggling as she flips to a specific page.
“The review board cleared me.”My voice sounds hollow, even to myself.
“On technicalities.But podcast listeners don’t care about technicalities, do they?”His voice softens to that false concern that always preceded his most devastating manipulations.“They hear about a nurse who questioned a doctor’s orders and endangered a patient.The kind of story that...circulates.”
My attention snaps back to the square, where Sally is now approaching Adam with the calendar.Even from this distance, I can see Adam’s neck flush red.
“That’s not what happened and you know it,” I say, my voice weak as I watch Sally dramatically fan herself while pointing to the calendar page.
“Sure, but the veterinary world is small.Medical circles overlap.Once word gets around about your...history, I wonder how your small-town hero will fare?Guilt by association is a powerful thing, Eve.”
“You’re threatening Adam now?”My fingers grip the phone so tightly my knuckles turn white.
“I’m stating facts.Unless your veterinarian is okay because issues run in his family.Like with his dad.And did you hear Claire is snooping around?In a way that really should get her fired?”
The lump in my throat has turned into a very pointy ice sculpture making it impossible to swallow.Or breathe.
“The podcast is scheduled to launch January 5th.Perfect timing for a fresh start to the new year, don’t you think?Unless...”
“Unless what?”My voice sounds distant to my own ears.
In the town square, Adam is laughing.
What if I walked over there?I could laugh with him.Like I belong in that picture.Like Chuck isn’t ruining everything.
“Unless you reconsider your position.The trauma coordinator role is about to open.Come back to Chicago, withdraw your complaint properly, and I’ll focus the podcast on more...generalized cases.And bring the ornament with you.”
“You’re blackmailing me.”
“I’m offering you a chance to protect your future.And his.”Chuck’s voice hardens.“Do you really want to drag this veterinarian down with you?”
The threat isn’t only cruel.It’s tailored.Aimed straight at the part of me that still thinks everything that goes wrong is somehow my fault.
Chuck continues, “Have his name connected to a nurse with questionable judgment?These small towns run on reputation.And his father.Claire…Those mistakes I read about?Whispers could start.And once whispers start…”
He lets the sentence hang, knowing I’ll fill in the blanks.And I do.Claire could get suspended.Or fired.Have promotions blocked.Adam’s dad having to defend a mistake from years ago.His second chance contracts.The parents at school questioning whether they want Adam’s dad around their children.The college reconsidering his position, not only the funding.His carefully built life, his future, his dreams, all of them crumbling.
Because of me.
“Think about it.”Chuck’s voice softens, sensing he’s finally gotten through to me.“What are you really doing there?Playing house with dogs and a small-town vet?That’s not the Eve Foster I know.”
I’ve been pacing on the sidewalk now, getting closer to the town square and Adam glances my way, his expression brightening despite the ridiculous antlers.He waves, gesturing for me to join them, while Sally mimes holding a camera, clearly trying to recreate whatever pose made him“Mr.December.”
“Maybe you never knew me,” I manage.
