Chapter 4 #2
Ethan Porter is manning the station today. He’s around twenty-eight, with sandy blond hair, bright blue eyes, and a quick smile that he flashes the moment he sees me approaching.
“Hey, Wren.” He straightens up from where he’d been doing something on his computer and gives me that smile that I know is meant to be charming. “Bringing back the unused doses?”
“Yeah, three from batch HF-2047-B.” I set the cooler on the counter of his station.
“Perfect.” He’s already pulling up the inventory system on his computer.
He types something and then moves his mouse, clicking, and then types something else.
“Okie dokie, it looks like everything is properly documented with full data entry. The system says you used seventeen doses and have three to return.” He looks up at me, lifting his brows.
I’m always impressed by how efficiently everything works.
Every single vial is tracked from the moment it’s manufactured on the Mainland until the moment it’s administered.
Batch numbers, lot numbers, expiration dates, temperature logs during transport, storage, and use.
Chain of custody is maintained at every single step.
“That’s correct,” I confirm.
Ethan pulls the vials out of my cooler and scans each one individually with a handheld scanner. The data for each one populates on his screen. “Great. You’re good to return them.”
I swipe my keycard through the reader beside the heavy storage door. It clicks open with a soft beep, automatically logging my entry, as well as the time, date, and my employee ID number.
The moment I step inside, the temperature drops noticeably. Perfect vaccine storage conditions. It’s cold enough that I can see my breath.
I open the main refrigeration unit, and cold air spills out, even colder than the already chilly room. Inside are rows and rows of vaccination vials, all neatly organized by batch number.
I find the section for batch HF-2047-B and carefully place my three vials back in their designated slots. Everything has its place. Everything is tracked. I close the refrigerator and head back out into the hallway, already grateful for the warmer temperature.
Ethan is waiting with a grin. “That was quick.”
“It’s cold in there,” I say, rubbing my arms.
“It sure is. Okay, I’m logging the return now.” He starts typing. Then glances at the clock to note the time. “Everything looks perfect.”
The system beeps its acceptance, and I watch as the digital record updates in real-time.
“All set.” Ethan grins at me. “You make my job easy, you know that? Some of the other nurses are so sloppy with their documentation. But you’re always perfect.”
“It’s important,” I say. “Every detail matters.”
“Music to my ears.” He leans back in his chair, and there’s that smile again. “So, uh, I was wondering… There’s this new restaurant that just opened up near the market district. Have you heard of it?”
Oh no. Here we go.
“I think Sally mentioned it,” I say.
“Yeah? Well, I was thinking maybe you’d want to check it out sometime. With me.” His smile is hopeful. “You know, like dinner?”
Ethan is sweet. He really is. He’s cute and friendly, but…I’m just not feeling it. Besides, I really don’t like to date anyone at work. I meant it when I said that to Sally.
“That’s really nice of you to offer,” I start, trying to find the kindest way to decline.
“Is that a yes?” His face lights up.
“I just… I’m not really wanting to date right now,” I finish awkwardly. “Work has been really busy, and I’m trying to focus on my career, and—”
“Oh, totally, I get it.” He waves a hand, though I can see the disappointment in his eyes. “No pressure. The offer stands, though, whenever you’re ready.”
“Thanks, Ethan. That’s really sweet. I also don’t date guys I work with, you know?”
He nods. “Oh…okay…alright. I understand.”
The awkward moment is saved by the sound of heavy footsteps approaching from down the hallway.
“Evening, Jarek,” Ethan calls out. “Right on time for shift change.”
Jarek nods, his sharp eyes scanning the area in that way security personnel always do. He’s wearing a leather uniform, his tattoos snaking down his arms.
“Evening, Ethan. Miss Lewis.” His voice is a deep rumble. “Everything good?”
“All good,” Ethan confirms, standing up and stretching. “Wren just brought back some vials. All properly logged and stored.”
Jarek gives me a nod. “Good.”
He moves to Ethan’s station and begins the handover process, checking the access logs and security camera feeds on the computer. Security around the pharmaceutical storage is tight.
“How’s your family, Jarek?” I ask while Ethan gathers his things. “Did your daughter start school?”
His stern expression softens. “She did. First day was last week. She loves it.” There’s unmistakable pride in his voice. “She’s already making friends and bringing home art projects.”
“That’s wonderful.” I smile. I met his daughter once when she came to the clinic with her mother for a checkup. Sweet little girl with dark curls and her father’s eyes.
“You heading out?” Ethan asks, grabbing his jacket from the back of his chair.
“Yeah, my shift ended five minutes ago,” I say, smiling. “I had my weekly call with the Mainland. I’m glad that’s over. I don’t know why I get so nervous. I have them once a week, and it never gets any easier.”
“Oh, right, the big boss check-in.” Ethan makes a face. “How was Dr. Greenberg?”
“Thorough.” I smile.
Ethan laughs. “That’s one word for it. The guy’s intense.” He glances at Jarek, who now sits and pulls up the evening security protocols. “Hey, I’m heading to the parking lot. Want some company? It’s getting dark out.”
I glance at Jarek, who’s watching us with a smirk on his face. Maybe he picked up on Ethan’s earlier attempt to ask me out.
“Sure, that would be nice,” I say, because it would be rude to refuse.
“Have a good evening, Miss Lewis. Ethan,” Jarek says, his attention already on the security monitors.
“You too, Jarek,” I reply.
“Night,” Ethan says.
The evening air is still warm as we step outside. The parking lot is mostly empty at this hour.
“So,” Ethan says as we walk. “That guy who came in today with the runner. Grim, right? The enforcement officer?”
My heart does that stupid skip thing it always does when someone mentions him. “What about him?”
“Is he always that…intense?”
Despite myself, I laugh. “Yeah, pretty much.”
“Dude’s scary,” Ethan admits. “Like, I know he’s supposed to be scary because that’s his job, but damn. He walked past the storage area earlier, and I swear the temperature dropped ten degrees.”
“He’s very good at his job,” I say.
“Sally told me you have a thing for him.”
I stop walking and stare at Ethan, my face immediately flaming. “Sally has a big mouth.”
Ethan holds up his hands. “Hey, no judgment! I mean, the guy’s like…objectively attractive, if you’re into the whole tall, dark, and terrifying thing.”
“I don’t have a thing for him,” I lie. “Sally was just teasing me.”
“Uh-huh.” Ethan’s grin is knowing. “Is that why you turned down my dinner invitation? Because you’re holding out hope for Mr. Tall-Dark-and-Seriously-Freaking-Grumpy?”
“No!” Yes. Maybe. I don’t know. I do know…it’s a no! “I just… I’m focused on work right now.”
“Right. Work.” He laughs, but it’s not mean.
We’ve reached my car, and I unlock it with the push of a button. “Thanks, Ethan.”
“I mean it.” He gives me a smile. “Even if you won’t go to dinner with me, I still think you’re great.”
“You’re sweet.” I open my door. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Yeah, I’m on early shift.” He takes a step back. “Drive safe, Wren.”
“You too.”
I climb into my car and start the engine, watching as Ethan heads toward his own vehicle a few rows over. He really is a nice guy. The kind of guy I should be interested in. The kind of guy who smiles and knows my name and actually wants to take me to dinner.
But all I can think about are his dark eyes and a gravel voice. Grim doesn’t even know I’m alive. Why am I so fixated on him?
I try to think about something else, anything else, and my mind drifts back to my conversation with Dr. Greenberg.
I was starting to get a little bored. Even though I need the money, I was thinking of applying for another position.
There was a post advertised at the hospital.
It would have meant working for an extra year or so to reach my financial goals, but I’ve changed my mind. My role here at the clinic is critical.
I’m doing important work. Work that matters. Work that saves lives.
And that’s worth everything.