Chapter Four #2
“You’re too modest, Grier. The whole hospital loves you. Don’t forget how much weight the employee and patient voting carries.” Maren said, offering a comforting wink. “You have a really good chance.”
Alix leaned forward. “Have you decided what you’re going to wear yet?”
“I haven’t had time. I figured I’d just do a long black dress from my closet.” She shrugged noncommittally.
Grier felt the looks of disapproval before she saw them.
Both Alix and Maren were staring at her, mouths agape.
They exchanged a glance, eyes simultaneously twinkling.
Alix sat up straighter, fingertips pressed to the table, and calmly stated, “Change of plans for tomorrow. We are going shopping. Then you’re taking us out for pizza and beer. ”
“What? No. Absolutely not.”
“Absolutely, absolutely!” Maren bubbled, shimmying in her chair. “Fashion show!” Her giggle was infectious.
Grier didn’t have the energy to fight them.
Maybe a shopping trip was in order. A new dress might make her feel sexy.
You never know who you might meet at one of these functions.
Maybe she’d find someone to take her mind off the captain.
Even if she didn’t, she could ooze sex appeal for a night with her friends there to cheer her on.
“I don’t know how I got so lucky to have you two in my life, but I’m grateful.”
Toward the end of the afternoon, Grier was charting treatment notes before her final patient when Maren slid into her office, closing the door behind her. Her energy was palpable. Grier didn’t stop typing, but raised an eyebrow as Maren dropped into one of the chairs across from her.
“I just worked on Katie.”
Grier hummed a nonverbal response, wanting to get her charting done before her patient arrived so she could go home afterward. She needed an Epsom salt bath and a good book tonight, but she’d settle for the familiarity of her family’s Friday Night Film.
Maren crossed her legs and sank into the cushions. “I’m not sure if I should tell you what she told me—or if you’d prefer to remain ignorant.”
Grier stopped typing. Maren never dallied—she was gentle but direct. Inhaling deeply through her nose, she looked at Maren and asked, “Is this general hospital gossip it, or does it actually affect me?”
“It’ll affect you. Big time. Like… huge,” Maren swung her top leg back and forth, jittery with her secret.
“Then just tell me.”
“Well… you know Katie is the primary coordinator for the gala next weekend…”
Grier could feel Maren’s energy, drawing this out. She wasn’t the type to gossip, and the stalling was unnerving. Grier cocked an eyebrow, silently urging her to make her point.
“She’s handling the RSVPs and table placements, and she was sharing some of the non-hospital VIPs that would be in attendance.”
Grier could feel Maren assessing her energy.
“Edith Parrish is coming. She’s being honored for her donation to build the hospital’s new helipads and grow the medevac program. And…” Maren’s eyes sparkled as she lingered on her delivery, “she has a plus-one.”
Grier’s adrenal glands tightened. Her body instinctively knew what Maren was going to say next, before her brain could register the words.
“Captain Maes.” Maren beamed.
Grier’s heart stopped before it overcorrected, racing frantically inside her ribs. She definitely was not going to get the captain out of her fantasies now. Black tie and Captain Maes was more than her sensitive libido could handle.
This was going to be a very long week.
“I’ll tell Alix,” Maren practically vibrated with excitement. “Your dress has to be perfect!” She paused, noting the look on Grier’s face—nothing short of ill. “I thought you’d be more excited about this… you ok, honey?
“My body says I want to see her again. My brain says I showed my hand the first time, and if she was interested, she would have called. I don’t think my heart can risk the hope right now.” Grier could feel her face sag with resignation and averted her eyes to avoid Maren’s pitying gaze.
“Grier, I think you owe it to yourself to see if this can go anywhere. You haven’t been this interested in a woman the entire time I’ve known you. And if it doesn’t go how you want it to, Alix and I will beat her up! I think the two of us can take her, yeah?”
Grier let out a stubborn laugh. She really did have the best friends. “You’re right. But now I’ll have double the anxiety about the evening. Between the award announcement and seeing Captain Maes again, how am I supposed to stop myself from exploding with anxiety?”
Maren looked at her with a coy grin, raising her eyebrows. “Masturbation.”
They burst out laughing, and Grier felt some relief as the anxiety faded from her body.
“Get out of here. Go tell Alix, and plot my runway humiliation. I want to get my notes done so I can treat my last kiddo and go home to… relax.” She drew out the last word, knowing Maren would understand the euphemism.
“Get it, honey!” Maren practically skipped out the door to find
Alix.
After work, Grier entered the kitchen in search of a snack before
dinner. Grant was cooking and talking on the phone, while Delta sat at the counter doing homework.
“She just got home. Hang on—I’ll switch to FaceTime.” Grant flung a dish towel over his shoulder and pulled the phone from his ear to tap the screen.
Instantly, Grier heard the unmistakable voice of their younger sister emanating from the speakerphone as Grove squealed, “Grier! Get ready—I’m coming to see you!”
“What? No way! When?” Grier was elated. Grove visited once or twice a year, sneaking away from whatever exotic location she called home while photographing wildlife for freelance work around the world.
Her work was masterful, and often featured in National Geographic pieces.
“I’ll see if I can take off a day or two so we can have a girls’ day! ”
“What? Not fair!” Delta pouted from her stool.
Grier quickly glanced at Grant to read his response. He jutted his chin thoughtfully, then flashed her a wink.
“Sure can! Manis, pedis and scalp massages? Matinee at the State Theater? Anything else?”
“Root beer floats!” Delta hollered.
“That’s a given! I have to get a float from Vinny’s when I’m in town.” Grove stared through the phone screen, nodding her agreement at Delta.
“Can I crash your girls’ day for the floats, at least?” Grant pretended to pout as he drained the pasta he was boiling.
“What do you think ladies?” Grier asked teasingly; she already knew their answer.
“Please!” Grant begged, while Grove posited, “Is he buying?” “Yes, he is,” Delta volunteered her dad, like only a daughter could.
“I’m honored to take my three favorite ladies out for a root beer float. We can bring a couple of pizzas home from Vinny’s and gorge ourselves before a movie. Deal?”
All three of them answered together, “Deal!”
“Wait, I still don’t know when you’re coming,” Grier demanded.
Grove sighed, “I really tried to make it home for the gala, but this leopard mama is not cooperating with our guides. We don’t expect to get the shots in time, so I’ll be home the following week.
” Grove looked into the screen, crestfallen.
“I’m sorry, Grier. I really wanted to be there to watch you accept that award. ”
Grier’s chest pinched slightly at her sister’s apology for a wish she hadn’t even realized she’d made.
It would have been wonderful to have her sister at the gala, but waiting another week wouldn’t diminish her excitement.
“It’s really sweet of you to try. I’m excited to see you at any point, though.
And all of you need to stop acting like I’ve already won. You’re going to give me a complex!”