12. Been Pleasurable
12
BEEN PLEASURABLE
“T hank you for indulging me with this,” Justine said on Saturday.
“Not a problem,” he said. “We did a class trip here years ago. It will be fun.”
“Then you can give a guided tour,” she said.
They were on the ferry heading to Plymouth. Garrett drove and she was just as happy to not have to worry much about it. Boarding the ferry, navigating the ports, and trying to find their way about the historical city.
“Not sure about that,” he said. “But we get to take an audio and driving tour. Kind of sweet how things have changed.”
“Technology is a wonderful thing,” she said. “Most times. Until it breaks and we can’t do our jobs.”
He laughed and turned his head. Right now they were standing on the deck as they were getting close to the port. They’d have to go to his SUV soon.
“I always cringe when I go to work and the software or server is having issues. Patients get behind, but we can’t do anything. I can’t start their treatment even if we know their blood work was fine the day before.”
“Why?” she asked. “I mean, I can’t dispense anything until it’s up, so that would hinder you anyway.”
“We have to log everything we do, the nurses do. When they start, dosages and times. It can’t be done after the fact. It affects billing, which you know, keeps our jobs. But it also is part of compliance and for the patients’ protection. Their names and dates are verified so many times with each change of treatment while they are there. The data needs to go in real-time.”
“I can’t even imagine the stress of that,” she said.
“You’ve got it too,” he said.
She laughed. “I know. Don’t want to fill the wrong prescriptions. Have to pay attention to what else they might be taking to see if there is a reaction. At my last job, I always wanted to counsel the patients first, but many didn’t want it.”
“I think everyone just believes things will be fine,” he said. “Do you do much counseling now?”
“If a patient needs or requests it, I’ll go down and talk to them as long as someone else can stay in the pharmacy. In Boston, it was easier. There are more people on staff for one of us to leave.”
She had to admit she liked it better on the island.
It was quiet, and though the pace was fast because there were fewer employees, it was more about keeping her busy rather than overwhelmed.
In Boston, there were days they were slammed and it was hectic.
“We should get back in the car,” he said. They turned and walked away from the railing. “How do you like it on the island so far? Aside from meeting me.”
She turned and squinted her eyes at his adorable grin.
He was pretty charming, she did have to admit that.
“I was just thinking that it’s so quiet here. I’m busy at work but not overwhelmed. The days fly by too.”
They got into his SUV. “That’s how you like it in terms of work. How about outside of work?”
“I’ve never had much of a life outside of work,” she said. “So this is taking some getting used to. So far, it’s been pleasurable.”
He burst out laughing. “Okay.”
She felt her face flush. “That came out wrong.”
“Good,” he said. “Because I haven’t even kissed you yet. But if you think just spending time with me is pleasurable, then I’ve got a lot more to show you.”
More heat surged through her veins.
“Are you going to kiss me?” she asked.
She’d never been bold like that, but why not be?
Life was short and she liked Garrett.
She didn’t know where things would go or if she wanted them to be more than a friendship.
But in the past few days, she started to think maybe this could be one of those casual relationships.
They could be friends. They could maybe be lovers.
They’d be exclusive, but not committed.
She didn’t know how to approach that, but the last thing she wanted to do was make promises they couldn’t keep due to their living and work situations.
She figured he was a smart man. He’d understand.
Hopefully he’d agree.
“Do you want me to kiss you?” he asked.
Now he was just jerking her around with the way he was wiggling his eyebrows.
If anyone looked at him on the street, they’d never take him for a doctor.
Least of all an oncologist with such a serious and almost depressing job at times.
“I wouldn’t mind one. I know friends don’t always kiss.”
“Sure, they do,” he said. He pointed to his cheek. “They often leave one here.”
She took that as he wanted her to take that first step.
How could he know that she’d need to take it at her pace? Major respect for him understanding that without her voicing it.
She leaned over. “You mean like this?”
She put her lips softly on his cheek, his trimmed facial hair tickling her upper lip some.
“That was nice,” he said.
She was still close to him, then turned her cheek and pointed. “Your turn.”
He laughed and gave her a light kiss on the cheek.
She’d never played a game like this before with a man.
It was fun and arousing more than gentle and slow.
“Now what?” he asked.
“Now we have to get off the ferry,” she said. “Did you notice it docked?”
“I was too busy waiting for my friendship kiss.”
She laughed. “Friends kiss on the lips too.” She pointed to her lips. “Do we do it together?”
“Sure,” he said. “We’re here meeting in the middle. Let’s give it a try.”
Their lips touched and rather than them both pulling back, they stayed there engaged.
No tongue action.
No multiple kisses.
Just touching the other’s lips and holding steady.
Feeling the other out.
The sounds of cars moving had them pulling back, her eyes opening.
She hadn’t even realized they were shut.
“That was more than nice,” she said.
“Pleasurable?” he asked.
“Definitely that,” she said, smirking.
They dropped it after that and Garrett pulled off the ferry and they were on their way.
She let him take the lead as they drove around and visited museums, ships, and Plymouth Rock. They stopped for lunch, went sightseeing some more, and then ended up at Burial Hill.
“Does it bother you to be here?”
She weighed his words. “Yes and no. It’s still fresh in my head with my father, but I also know he’s not here. That this is steeped in history and that is what we are doing and why we are here. I don’t know anyone here, though it almost feels as if their presence is felt. How about you? I know you’ve seen a lot more death than me in your job.”
If anything, she would have expected he’d struggle more with this than her.
“It’s hard,” he said. “I try not to get attached, but it’s not possible. I feel if I don’t open up to them, they won’t open up to me. I want to do what my patients need. I want to give them that too. At least while they are in my care.”
“And that makes you a wonderful doctor,” she said. “You told me you were here to reevaluate your life and career. Do you want to talk about that, or would you rather not?”
“Not sure it’s fantastic date material,” he said, laughing. “But I’m sure you get the gist of it. This job can take a toll on you. All medical professionals have this at some point in their lives.”
“You’re young,” she said.
“And in one of the hardest medical fields a doctor could be in,” he said. “On an emotional level.”
“I’ve always heard that ER doctors have the highest level of burnout just because it’s so physically and mentally draining. The hours and the range of patients that you see. But oncology has to be right up there too.”
“It’s true,” he said. “I’m not sure how Hudson does it, but he has a good handle on it. But I think, like me, Boston got to him. He wants to do everything he can for his patients. But when you are seeing them for a few hours and pushing them out the door, you aren’t building any kind of connection or getting the full story of their lives to see what could cause more issues.”
“But it’s slower on the island,” she said.
“Exactly. We are known here. People tell us more than we ask and it’s not a bad thing. Not if you want to help.”
“I’m learning that,” she said. “Everyone likes to talk around here.”
For someone who was always quiet and kept to herself at work, it was hard to get a handle on this without coming off like a cold bitch because she didn’t contribute.
She had to take the good with the bad.
Garrett was right. If you wanted to help, sometimes you had to open up to get others to do the same.
“I think in any small area you get that,” he said. “It can be annoying and when you’re new to the island you have to weed out who is being helpful and who is being nosy.”
She laughed. “Right now I think I’m getting a combination of both at work.”
They walked back to his vehicle as they’d been moving around the cemetery as they talked.
It was oddly peaceful and she’d carry that with her when she visited her father again.
“Anyone new to the island draws a lot of curiosity,” he said. “I think there are plenty that are being helpful for sure, but more that are nosy.”
She nodded. “In a nice way. At least from what I’ve seen.” She reached for his hand and held it.
He squeezed her fingers. “I’m not being helpful or nosy,” he said.
“Curiosity,” she said. “On both our parts. But you’re helping more than you know.”