Chapter 5
NASH
When I walk into the office Monday afternoon, most of my employees are huddled together, talking. I glance around, looking for Sadie, but she’s not in the mix with everyone else. I could see her being the one person who’s still working as a way to try and impress me.
But I’m already impressed. Too impressed for my own good.
Two weeks ago, it was karaoke. Sadie sang the heck out of that song, not caring how stupid she looked.
Last week, it was her presentation on recruiting better doctors. She’s as smart as a whip. I might be attracted to her mind more than her looks—I said might be. If anything, it’s a fifty-fifty tie between personality and appearance. Both are equally important and equally a turn-on.
“Who died?” I ask as I join the group.
Everyone turns to me, but it’s Grace’s depressed expression that catches my eye first. “Sadie’s brother.”
My heart catapults into my stomach. “Wait. Are you serious?” You never know with this group. But none of them would joke about something like that.
“Yeah, she got the call about two hours ago and headed straight to the airport,” Allen says.
I hate that I wasn’t here for her.
I’ve gotten a phone call like that. It stops everything. Suddenly, nothing else matters, and nothing will ever make sense again.
“How did he die?” I ask over my racing heart.
Josie’s lips push into a frown. “She didn’t say, but Harper was sitting next to her when she got the call, and it sounded like an accidental drug overdose.”
Visions of my own brother’s addiction dance through my mind, and my heart breaks for Sadie and her family. She doesn’t even know yet how much this is going to hurt. The aftermath of his absence is worse than the initial blow.
“Should I call her?” My eyes stop on Reggie for some friend-to-friend advice.
“She’s probably in the air as we speak.” He lifts his shoulders. “When she lands, you can reach out and send condolences from Superior Health.”
Right. Condolences from Superior Health, not me. No matter my growing feelings for Sadie, she has Stetson. Even though they’re broken up, there’s a history there. He’s the one who will take care of her heart right now.
“We should send flowers,” I look at Grace. That seems like the bossly thing to do.
Harper flashes a sad smile. “That’s a great idea.”
But it’s not enough.
My mind and my heart are stuck on Sadie and the loss of her brother.
I know the pain all too well.
And I know sending flowers doesn’t cut it.