Chapter 11 Asha #3
“We were careful about the big things. We just forgot about all the small things—the looks, the body language, the way you watch me during codes like I’m the only person in the room. The chemistry between us that seeps out of every pore in our bodies.”
“You usually are,” Asha admitted. “The only person I see, I mean. Even when it’s chaos, even when there’s a room full of people—I always know exactly where you are.”
Max’s expression softened. “Yeah. Same.”
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the weight of weeks of secrecy finally lifting.
“What about your parents?” Max asked carefully. “You don’t have to tell them right away, right?”
“Right. Doctor Brown reminded me I can take that at my own pace.” Asha sighed.
“But I think I will tell them. Eventually. Maybe not tomorrow, maybe not next week. But I can’t keep hiding this part of myself from them.
It’s—” She searched for words. “It’s exhausting. And I’m tired of being exhausted.”
“I’ll be there,” Max said firmly. “When you’re ready. If you want me to be.”
“I want you there for it all,” Asha said, and she meant it.
Max kissed her forehead, her cheeks, her mouth—gentle touches that felt like promises. “You know what this means, right? Now that it’s official?”
“What?”
“I’m taking you to Disneyland.” Max grinned. “We’re getting those stupid Mickey ears, and eating churros, and taking a photo in front of the castle. Full-on, embarrassingly touristy couple things. I can’t believe you’ve never been!”
Asha laughed; the sound startled out of her. “That sounds absolutely awful, but I’m in.”
“That sounds perfect,” Max corrected. “And we’re doing it. No more hiding. No more pretending we’re just colleagues. We’re going to be disgustingly, obviously in love, and everyone is going to know it.”
“Disgustingly?” Asha raised an eyebrow.
“Absolutely disgusting,” Max confirmed. “Hand-holding in public. Pet names. The works. Filthy.”
“I draw the line at pet names.”
“We’ll see.” Max’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Give it time, Doctor Patel.”
Asha kissed her to shut her up, and it worked.
“I could do with more of that, please,” Max moaned.
“What about some of this too?” Asha said as her fingers moved down Max’s stomach and traced along the hem of her shorts.
“Don’t tease me,” Max purred. “I can’t handle it.”
“Who said I’m teasing?”
Asha slowly pushed her hands underneath Max’s shorts, maneuvering her fingers towards Max’s clit, before slowly massaging around her wet folds, exposing how excited she was.
Max didn’t say anything. Her small moans told Asha all she needed to know.
Her fingertips teased her opening, before delicately pushing her fingers deep inside.
“I love this feeling,” Max whispered.
“Not as much as I do,” Asha said as she removed her fingers as Max removed her shorts and panties.
“I want you to bend over, right here,” Asha ordered.
“I fucking love it when you talk dirty me.”
“I may get stressed about my feelings, but I certainly know what I want when it comes to fucking you,” Asha grinned as she moved her hands over Max’s behind.
She didn’t say anything else, she just plunged her fingers deep inside of Max, fucking her hard and fast as Max’s face nestled deep into the couch. Max couldn’t speak, she could only moan loudly as she felt her body shake.
Asha moved her free hand around Max’s body, until her fingers positioned themselves onto Max’s clit. Her hands worked in perfect harmony as she thrust further into Max.
“Fuck, I’m going to cum already,” Max called out.
“Just do it. Cum for me,” Asha ordered.
And those words tipped Max over into the biggest, hardest, fast climax as her body shook and melted into the couch.
Asha slumped behind her, kissing her body and giving her time to recuperate.
“Wow. Well, what a day,” Max giggled as she moved herself around, wrapping her legs around Asha.
They kissed, and held each other, tangled on the sofa in a perfect, sticky mess.
The next morning, Asha arrived at Dr. Harrison’s office at 7:58 AM. Two minutes early, as always, but this time without the crushing anxiety that had accompanied her last visit.
She’d dressed carefully—her most professional outfit, hair in its usual bun, minimal makeup. Armor, but the kind that made her feel confident rather than hidden.
Harrison looked up when she knocked, gestured her inside. “Doctor Patel. Come in, close the door.”
She did, then sat in the same chair as before, but this time her spine didn’t feel quite so rigid.
“I received notification from HR this morning,” Harrison said without preamble. “Your relationship disclosure was filed yesterday evening.”
“Yes.” Asha’s voice was steady. “I apologize for cutting it so close to the deadline. I needed time to process the situation and ensure I was making the right decision.”
“And have you? Made the right decision?”
Asha met his eyes directly. “Yes. I certainly have.”
Harrison studied her for a moment, then nodded.
“Good. I’m glad to hear it.” He pulled up something on his computer.
“The disclosure has been approved by HR. There are no supervisory concerns, no conflicts of interest that would prevent you from continuing in your current roles. However, I do want to make a few logistical adjustments.”
Asha braced herself.
“I’d like to avoid scheduling you and Nurse Benson on the same shifts more than three times per week,” Harrison continued. “Not because I have concerns about your professionalism—I don’t—but to avoid any appearance of impropriety with families or other staff. Does that seem reasonable?”
“Very reasonable,” Asha said, relief flooding through her. “Thank you.”
“I also want to be clear: if any issues arise—concerns about preferential treatment, conflicts about patient care, anything that could compromise the integrity of the unit—we’ll need to address them immediately.
This disclosure protects you both, but it also comes with the responsibility to maintain very clear boundaries at work. ”
“I understand completely.”
Harrison leaned back in his chair. “Off the record, Doctor Patel—and this stays between us—I’m glad you made this choice.
I’ve known Max Benson for five years. She’s one of the best nurses on this unit.
And you’re one of the best doctors. If you’ve found something together that makes you both happy, I’m not going to stand in the way of that.
I just need to make sure it’s documented and appropriate. ”
Asha felt something tight in her chest loosen. “Thank you. That means a great deal.”
“Any questions?”
“Just one.” Asha hesitated. “When will the rest of the staff be informed?”
“They won’t be, formally. Relationship disclosures are confidential HR documents.
However—” Harrison’s expression was knowing.
“I imagine word will spread informally, as it always does in hospitals. My advice? Get ahead of it. Tell the people you trust first. Control the narrative before the rumor mill does.”
Asha nodded slowly. “That makes sense.”
“Anything else?”
“No. Thank you for handling this with discretion.”
“Of course.” Harrison stood, extending his hand. “Congratulations, Doctor Patel. On the relationship and on making a difficult choice with integrity.”
She shook his hand, feeling lighter with each step toward the door.
By the time she reached the NICU for her shift that evening, Max was already there, checking in at the nurses’ station. When she saw Asha, her face lit up with a smile that was impossible to hide.
Asha smiled back and watched Martha’s eyebrows shoot up with knowing delight.
It had begun.
And for the first time in her life, Asha Patel wasn’t afraid of what came next.
She was ready for all of it.
As long as she had Max by her side, everything felt possible.