Chapter 43
Cadi checked her watch, feeling the exhaustion settle in her bones. Clinic was nearly done. Just one more email to send, one more chart to review, and then she could breathe.
Her phone buzzed on the desk.
She barely glanced at it, but the name on the screen made her stomach twist.
Medical Director-office.
She already knew what was coming.
Cadi exhaled sharply, running a hand over her face. She didn't have time for this. Not with everything else going on. Not with her relationship still hanging in the balance.
But she couldn't ignore the call.
"Hello"
"Cadi, hi. It's good to hear from you."
Dr. Winslow's voice was warm, familiar, but Cadi still braced herself.
"How have you been? How's Gray? And how's the little whirlwind?"
A reluctant smile tugged at Cadi's lips. "Tomos is as energetic as ever."
Dr. Winslow chuckled. "I'd expect nothing less. But listen—let's get to the point. I just wanted to be the one to tell you first before you heard it from anyone else."
Cadi exhaled slowly, already resigned. Here it comes.
"You got the role."
Cadi blinked. "...What?"
Dr. Winslow chuckled. "You're the next lead for the diversity post. The official announcement is coming soon."
Cadi stared blankly at her desk. She hadn't expected this.
Vanessa was well-liked, had done a lot of work with education and the BMA. She had assumed—no, she had been certain—that Vanessa would get it.
Her mind stuttered through the possibilities, trying to make sense of it.
"...Oh. Thank you."
The words felt clumsy, hollow.
Dr. Winslow must have picked up on her hesitation. "I take it this isn't the news you were expecting?"
Cadi let out a breath, shaking her head slightly. "I... I've given it a lot of thought. And I appreciate the opportunity. But I don't think I can take it. Not right now."
Silence.
Dr. Winslow sighed. "I was afraid you'd say that, with the way this conversation is going."
Cadi swallowed, guilt nipping at her. "It's just... personal issues. Too much on my plate at the moment."
"I understand," Dr. Winslow said, though there was disappointment in her tone. "It's a demanding role. The next person in line is Dr. Ryan Lowell in Paediatrics."
Cadi's lips parted slightly in surprise.
Ryan.
That was perfect.
She had known Ryan from university days, back when the world still felt full of possibilities and life hadn't yet weighed them down. He was brilliant, charismatic, always five steps ahead, and they had gotten along like a house on fire.
If she had to step back, she couldn't think of a better person for the role.
Dr. Winslow continued, "That said, we still want you on board in some capacity. If you're open to it, we'd love to have you in an advisory role. It wouldn't be as much of a time drain, but you'd still be involved in the bigger discussions."
Cadi hesitated.
But only for a moment.
"I'll think about it," she said, even though she already knew she'd say yes.
When Cadi finally got home, the house was quiet. Gray's bag was by the door, his shoes kicked off carelessly near the entrance.
She set down her keys, rolling her shoulders. She needed a shower. She needed food. She needed to stop thinking for five bloody minutes.
And then she saw it.
A small note taped to the refrigerator.
Gray's handwriting—neat, deliberate.
Cadi,
I was thinking today about when we were in school. When I got that bloody detention for fighting and I thought I was done for. Thought my mam would lose her mind.
But you marched right in and told Mr. O'Leary that if he didn't also punish the other lad, then you'd sit in detention with me. Which you had to do, in the end. But I didn't mind it anymore as you were there with me.
You always stuck by me. Even when I didn't deserve it.
I don't know why I'm thinking about it now, but I reckon I just wanted to remind ye that I've never forgotten it.
-Gray
Cadi sighed, running a thumb over the note.
It wasn't much. Just words.
But somehow, she felt a little less tired.