Chapter Sixteen
A few days after her flying adventure and partial induction in the mile high club, Megan had started to take a few scripts to the pharmacy when she was yanked by the arm and dragged into an examining room. “What the?” she began, as the door was slammed behind her.
Instead of Pesh before her, it was Kristi. “I need to have a word with you.”
Anxiety bubbled in Megan’s chest, and she had to take a few deep breaths before she could speak. “Have I done something wrong with a patient?”
Kristi shook her head. “Oh no, this has everything to do with Dr. Nadeen.”
Megan’s brows shot up in surprise. “Pesh? What’s wrong with him?”
“It’s not what is wrong with him. It’s what is wrong with you.”
Megan gulped. “Me?”
Kristi nodded. “I really like you, Megan, but I am worried that you are just playing him. It is cruel. He doesn’t deserve it.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Please don’t play coy. Not only do I have two daughters around your age, but I’ve spent enough time working with women to have a pretty good insight into the female mind. So, I’ll ask once again, what are you doing?”
Megan squirmed under the heat of Kristi’s stare. If anyone found out that she and Pesh were hooking up, it could be very bad for her nursing career. “We’re friends. He’s my cousin’s godfather.”
Kristi rolled her eyes. “Fine. Let me speak as freely as I can since you insist on playing dumb. I don’t give two shits if you and Pesh are screwing all over this hospital—”
Megan was unable to contain her loud gasp. “Excuse me, but I—”
Now it was Kristi’s turn to interrupt. She held up her hands. “Let me finish please.”
“Fine,” Megan muttered.
“I realize that deep down he’s just a man, and after going a long time without sex, it was probably a little easier for him to give in to just a causal relationship with you. But I’ve worked by his side for seven years, so I have a pretty good handle on what he’s truly feeling.”
“Oh really?” Megan countered, unable to stop herself from being snarky.
“Yes, I do. That man loves you with every fiber of his being.”
Those words caused Megan’s steely resolve to fade. She couldn’t help staggering a bit on her feet. She knew that Pesh liked her—I mean, any fool could see that. But love? “H-He does?”
“Oh yeah, he does. He’s been holding a candle for you since the moment you walked in here. I saw it the first day I introduced you two. I don’t know what has happened since that day, but I know something has changed for you, too.”
“It’s true that I care about him. He’s the most amazing man I’ve ever known.”
“Then what the hell is the problem?”
“I wish I could tell you, but I don’t even know myself,” Megan moaned as tears stung her eyes. “Dammit, stupid PMS hormones.”
“Oh honey, you do actually care about him, don’t you?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“And you’re a wreck about what you’re feeling for him, aren’t you?” Kristi asked.
Megan couldn’t hold back the sobs any longer. They rolled through her, causing her to bend at the waist under the burden. Kristi stepped forward, wrapping her arms around Megan. Even though she knew she should try to fight her emotions considering she was at work, she decided to let herself go and get it all out. When she finally had a hold of herself, she raised her head, wiping what she imagined were the hideous black mascara streaks off her face.
“I’m so sorry. That was so unprofessional of me.”
Kristi gave her a sad smile. “Would you stop that, please? This isn’t an evaluation. Besides, I’m the one who pulled you in here and provoked you. You always keep your emotions in check out on the floor.”
“The truth is I do care for Pesh. How could I not? I’m just not sure I’m the right woman for him.”
“But if he loves you, how could you think you’re not the right one?”
Megan blurted out all the reasons she’d previously given Pesh about her age and her lack of wanting a committed relationship. When she finally finished unburdening herself of all her doubts and fears, she glanced up at Kristi. There was no judgment in her eyes or anger for that matter. Instead, she merely patted Megan’s cheek. “Oh honey, you’ve got to tune all those negative voices out and go with your heart.”
Megan shook head. “But what if I don’t know what my heart is telling me to do?”
“You will. Just give it time.” Kristi patted her back. “Why don’t you go get cleaned up and then take your lunch break?”
“No, I need to make up for the time I’ve missed.”
“You’re fine.” She motioned to the door. “Go on. See if Dr. Nadeen is on his way to lunch so you can join him.”
“But I shouldn’t. It won’t look right if we’re alone together.”
Kristi chuckled. “Alone together in a crowded hospital cafeteria? I don’t think that’s possible.”
Megan nibbled on her bottom lip and fought the urge to argue with Kristi. After all, if the very woman who was in charge of her clinical grade didn’t give a shit about her and Pesh being seen together, why should she? Finally, she just gave a defeated sigh. “Okay, I’ll go see.”
“Good girl. And you be listening to your heart now. Okay?”
“I’ll try. I promise.”
Although she spoke the words with such conviction of character, Megan was afraid it was going to be harder than she thought.