Page 18 of Great Pretender
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
When he places his hand at his heart, I smile with the deepest appreciation. I then head out, hoping I can get my life together soon.
At least I have everything under control at the hospital.
7
Piper
It takes me twenty minutes to get to the hospital. Thankfully, the traffic wasn’t too bad. It was different from the morning rush I usually find myself in. With the exception of a crazy speed racer who was drifting on the road like he was in aFast and Furiousmovie, things were pretty much smooth sailing getting here.
The hospital car park is packed, though, so it takes a few extra minutes to get to the staff area.
I park and head to the place that I worked so hard to get into when I first started my journey here at Bridport Hospital.
The Brianna Benson Research Center for Lymphangioleiomyomatosis and Rare Lung Diseases looks a lot different now than it did when I was in med school.
Both Elodie and Hollis helped to set up the Center in memory of their friend Brianna who died from lymphangioleiomyomatosis. It was opened five years ago and has gained substantial recognition since.
I’ve wanted to be a doctor for as long as I can remember. I was just never sure which kind.
Mom’s death steered me in the direction of wanting to be a pulmonologist. When I finished my studies at Yale, I prayed for the chance to work at the Center and designed everything I’ve done in my training to ensure I got that chance.
I was one of the five resident doctors who were chosen to work on the groundbreaking joint research program on pharmacological treatments they currently have going on with Princeton University.
That’s why I can’t allow my personal life to screw everything else up.
When I walk in, I spot Elodie talking to Hollis ahead of me.
Just like always, those two have the look of love. It must be nice to be that way after years of marriage. They have a six-year-old son named Ben, and Hollis’s niece, Hailey, who lives with them. She’ll be starting college in September.
They have what I call the real deal, the strength in love and family. A bond that rubs off on everyone they come in contact with.
They’re what you call a power couple. Hollis is a wealth manager who owns his own business and Elodie is one of the patient relations managers here. She predominantly takes care of the children and adolescents but also the patients who have more serious cases of the disease. Because of that she works closely with my mentor, Dr. Damson who manages the Centre.
Hollis kisses Elodie right there, not caring who’s watching, and stalks off in the opposite direction. She watches him until he disappears around the corner.
Like every other young woman who wants her Prince Charming, I can’t help but feel the stab of envy. And although I know I shouldn’t, I find my mind drifting and wondering if I could find happiness like that one day.
After what happened with Heath, it seems less likely.
I’m a few paces away when Elodie turns and sees me, and her cheeks flush.
“Hey, there,” she bubbles, quickly recovering from her obvious case of swooning over her hot husband.
“Hi.”
“We weren’t expecting you today. I have Tim covering for you.”
“Thanks, but I couldn’t take the day off. There’s too much to do. Plus, I have to find a way to get my research back.”
“A package came this morning from Heath. It was small, so I’m guessing it could be a memory stick with your research.”
“Thank God. I hope that’s what it is.” I was hoping he wouldn’t be a complete dick and have me crawling to him begging for it. Or worse, be spiteful and delete it all. I was more worried about that.
“How are you feeling today?”
