6. Addie
ADDIE
A ddie stood in the hallway with her phone pressed to her ear.
She’d been that way for a little over a minute now.
A nurse in pink scrubs passed by, her dark hair tied back in a neat braid, giving Addie a quick nod as their eyes met.
Addie barely registered it, too focused on Josephine’s voice in her ear to muster more than a distracted half-smile.
“You’ll be partnering with Giselle on a series of surgeries, I want you to learn from each other,” Josephine said over the phone.
The news wasn’t surprising, but it wasn’t exactly welcome, either. She tugged at the hem of her scrub top, smoothing the fabric over her waist. Her sneakers shifted slightly against the polished floor as she adjusted the lanyard holding her ID badge.
“You’re not going to reconsider?” Addie asked. Her grip on the phone tightened as she pressed her lips into a thin line and waited for the response she already knew was coming.
“Giselle needs someone who can balance her out. And you need someone who can keep you from melting into your patients.”
Addie opened her mouth to argue, but stopped. It wasn’t worth it. Josephine hadalready made up her mind yesterday. There was no point in pushing back.
Besides, she couldn’t deny that Giselle was a brilliant partner. They’d saved a life together. That counted for something, even though Giselle acted like the human connection was an unnecessary complication.
“You’re certain about this?” Addie asked.
“I know it’s a good match.”
Match. Addie hated the word, especially since it sounded almost romantic in her ears. She didn’t care for anything that reminded her, even vaguely, of romance .
Addie closed her eyes briefly and pinched the bridge of her nose.
“I’ll make it work,” Addie said.
“That’s the spirit,” Josephine said.
She hung up.
Addie stood there for a moment, staring at her phone. Giselle wasn’t her ideal partner, but Addie wasn’t the type to let personal feelings get in the way of her work.
“The kids come first, always,” Addie said, finally breaking into a slow walk.
She recalled the day she’d taken her oath. Her moms—one an ex-paramedic and the other a teacher—had wiped happy tears from her cheeks. That day, she swore to do everything possible to ensure that her mothers always had that pride in their eyes.
That was nearly two decades ago. Only one of her moms, now a retired teacher, was alive now. She’d chosen to remain in Boston, but that didn’t change Addie’s oath. Addie sighed and took a few steps forward.
Why was she thinking about her moms, again?
Right, Giselle.
There was no denying that the thought of spending more time with Giselle made her skin tingle, but not in a bad way. Yes, she hated the fact that someone so skilled could be so cold. Still, she was intrigued by it.
Why did she act the way she did? Did something happen in her past? There were too many possibilities, which was one of the things that unnerved Addie. Another was how much she noticed while they worked together.
Then again, it was impossible not to notice that Giselle was striking. Scratch that, Dr. Carlisle was beautiful.
Addie took a left once she got to the end of the hallway. The cafeteria was just ahead. She wasn’t particularly hungry, but sitting in the company of other doctors and getting her thoughts in order didn’t sound like a bad idea.
She donned a smile and let out a deep breath.
The cafeteria was fairly crowded when Addie got there.
She slowed down at the door and scanned the entire space.
Her gaze followed the line of tall windows, which let in just enough light to make the gray walls appear brighter.
Her eyes darted across the rows of fluorescent lights overhead, their harsh glow reflecting off the pale tile floors.
She made for the counter and grabbed a cup of coffee.
All that was left was finding the perfect spot to sit and brood over her day so far.
The dozen square tables were littered with white coats and blue cotton coveralls.
That’s when she spotted Josephine sitting at one of the tables, waving her over.
Addie shot her a weak smile. As much as she loved her boss, Josephine wasn’t the first person on her mind right now, but she couldn’t just ignore her. Addie walked over to join her. A handful of colleagues waved at her as she walked by, and she smiled at them.
“Perfect timing,” Josephine said as Addie sat down across from her.
“You could’ve told me you were here,” Addie said.
“Why?” Josephine asked with a frown. “Would that have changed anything?”
“No, but…” Addie paused. Josephine suddenly looked pissed. Addie did a double take in her head, wondering what she’d said to piss her off. “Forget I said that. ”
Josephine held her gaze for a second, still frowning. Then she burst out laughing.
“I’m just messing with you,” Josephine said.
“Phew,” Addie sighed. “You got me.”
“You should’ve seen your face,” Josephine said. “I was actually thinking about the surgeries you’ve got lined up.”
Addie nodded. “You mean the ones with Giselle?”
Josephine smiled, stirring her tea. “Yes, exactly. You two will make such a great team. You balance each other out.”
“You’ve said all that before.” Addie did her best not to roll her eyes.
She wasn’t ready to be drawn into another conversation about Giselle, especially not with Josephine. But something about Josephine’s laugh told her that it was inevitable.
“Giselle is unique,” Josephine said. “I think she’s one of the best surgeons I’ve ever seen.”
“You think?” Addie asked.
“Do I sense some jealousy?” Josephine teased.
Addie shrugged, then reached for her coffee again. “I’m not jealous at all. I’ve seen her work, and I admire her skills.”
“But…?”
Josephine left the statement hanging. Addie cocked her head, but nothing was forthcoming. Eventually, her curiosity got the better of her.
“But what?” Addie asked.
“You tell me,” Josephine said. “You sounded like there was a but.”
“It’s nothing. She’s my partner, and I’ll work with her. It’s the kids who matter.”
“See, there,” Josephine said. “That’s why I want you two working together.”
“Oh,” Addie managed.
Josephine moved her arms excitedly. “Giselle is an incredible surgeon. She gets the job done. She just needs to work on how she forgets that there are people behind the cases. That’s where you come in.”
Addie tilted her head, watching Josephine. “And what exactly do you expect me to do?”
“Thaw her out a bit,” Josephine said, leaning back in her chair. “Giselle’s approach works, but she needs someone to remind her that empathy isn’t a weakness. ”
Addie frowned, not entirely comfortable with the idea of playing therapist to someone who didn’t want it. “I’m not sure she’s looking for reminders.”
“Probably not.” Josephine’s eyes twinkled. “But that’s why it has to be you. She won’t listen to anyone else.”
Addie let out a sigh and set her coffee cup down. “I’m not going to change who she is, Josephine. And I’m not interested in trying.”
“I’m not asking you to change her,” Josephine said. “But you’re good at what you do, Addie. You care. That’s your strength. Giselle needs to see that there’s more to this job than just being technically perfect.”
Addie’s mind wandered back to the surgery on the girl. Giselle had been flawless. But it wasn’t the first time Addie had worked with someone brilliant. It was, however, the first time she’d been so aware of someone inside the OR.
Aware . If she wasn’t so bothered about Giselle filling her head, maybe she’d have cracked a smile at the thought. Of course she was aware of everyone in the hospital. It was Giselle’s beauty that remained etched in the back of her mind. That was the unsettling bit.
At least, that was a part of it. She didn’t want to be drawn into Josephine’s mission.
“You’re quiet,” Josephine said, pulling Addie back into the conversation.
Addie blinked, clearing her thoughts. “Just thinking about how this is going to work.”
Josephine smiled again. “It’ll work. Just give it time.”
Addie wasn’t so sure. But she’d made up her mind to try. If that meant dealing with Giselle’s coldness, then so be it. She could handle it. She’d find a way to ignore her striking presence. She was almost sure of that.
She sighed. Sitting here wasn’t going to help clear her head of Giselle. Work would.
“I have to get going now,” Addie said, standing up. “Work, you know.”
“Sure.” Josephine smiled.
As Addie walked away, her thoughts returned to the surgeries ahead. But no matter how much she focused, a part of her wondered what it would be like to see Giselle let down her guard just for a moment. What if Josephine’s gamble paid off and Giselle warmed up in the OR—and out of it?
What would it be like to see her smile—not because she had to, but because she wanted to?
Addie shook her head. The squirming in her belly wasn’t a feeling she welcomed. She cleared her throat as she stepped out of the cafeteria, squared her shoulders, and flashed the brightest smile she could muster as she headed for the pediatric ward.
It didn’t work. The thought remained with her until after her shift. She sat in the backseat, staring out the window as Alex drove to Sophie’s school.
“Thinking about work?” Alex asked.
Addie blinked, turning to glance at the driver’s seat. Alex’s blonde hair contrasted beautifully against her powder blue shirt.
“Not exactly,” Addie said. “Just enjoying the drive.”
Alex pulled into the school parking lot and Addie stepped out of the car, scanning the neat rows of vehicles.
The afternoon sun reflected off the windshields, making her squint as she walked.
A sharp burst of laughter reached her ears.
She glanced in the direction of the noise.
Beyond the low brick wall to her right was the school playground.
Sophie was tucked in a quiet corner with Natalie Thompson-Mars.