Page 5 of Scrubbing In
Afraid my voice will be gruff with desire, I squeeze my eyes closed in an attempt to rein in my inappropriate thoughts. My chest expands and shoulders rise with a deliberate deep breath. I really don’t need an erection tenting my pants in the middle of the street, especially right before a meeting that would bring me closer to home. And, if I'm lucky, to this sexy and alluring woman.
“I’m so sorry, I need to take this call,” I say. “Hello.”
Leena’s face falls and eyes drop to her twisting hands, effectively hiding behind the curtain of her curls. Shit!
I’m not blowing her off. In fact, it’s the opposite. Even with all the reasons I’ve been pursuing this big change and move across the country, today’s chance meeting with Leena has swiftly added even more motivation to return to South Carolina. I cannot explain how I know today was a short but life-altering meeting. Therefore, I cannot mess this opportunity up.
“Dr. Jacobs, hello. It’s Alisha. I know we’re due to meet soon, and in my email, my instructions were to meet in the second floor lobby at the information desk. But we’ve changed conference rooms, so meeting in the main lobby would be much closer.”
The physician recruiter continues to ramble in my ear. A strong compulsion pulses through me, wanting to block everything else out except forher. Needing to pay attention to where Alisha is telling me to meet her has me turning around to face Grind House up the sidewalk. By not looking directly at Leena, I hope I can stay focused and quickly end this conversation.
Afterward, I’ll be able to give her my complete attention. Get her number and see where this is going. Because there is something in my gut telling me I need to pursue whatever is happening at this moment.
When I’m finally able to end the call, I turn back to Leena.
“No,” I mumble in dismay, stepping into the empty parking spot.
Gripping my neck with both hands, I stare unseeing at my camel colored shoes contrasting with the pavement. Did that conversation go longer than I realized? Why would she leave? Without her number—or even her last name—there is no way of finding her.
CHAPTER FIVE
Julian
Still slightly dazed,Alisha Manning leads me into a conference room, calling everyone to attention. “Dr. Jacobs, we are so glad you could join us today. We here at Palmetto Regional Medical Center are very excited and eager to have you join our hospital and community. As this is a formal introduction meeting, we have gathered these esteemed members of our hospital administration and leadership that you’ll come to know and see regularly at Palmetto Regional.”
Blinking, the sun-filled room comes back into focus. I’d hoped the short walk from Grind House would be long enough to help clear my mind and get my head back in the game for this meeting. But it’s becoming obvious that I need to work a little harder on paying attention.
With a polite smile for the assembled group, I move further into the large room. A wall of windows offers a view of downtown Bayberry Park and large trees swaying in the breeze, making adjoining streets nearly invisible. I work my way around the large, gleaming wooden table, shaking hands and greeting each person Alisha introduces to me. Until finally, I stand before the head of the Orthopedic Trauma Surgical Department.
“Dr. Jacobs, welcome.” I’m greeted by Dr. Connor Walsh, the very reason I want to work with this ortho trauma team.
Genuinely smiling for the first time since arriving at the hospital, we heartily pump each other’s hands. “Thank you, sir.”
With an amused roll of his eyes, Connor reclaims his seat.
I first met the man during my surgical residency at the University of Pittsburgh Hospital. I had already been leaning toward orthopedics as my preferred specialty when he’d been brought in to consult and lead on a difficult case. Seeing him operate had been awe inspiring.
I started following his career, and was lucky enough to work with him again on a few other cases during my residency where we developed a lasting rapport. Connor is a brilliant surgeon, and had he been working at a teaching hospital, I would have done everything I could to complete my Orthopedic Trauma Fellowship under him.
We’ve kept in touch over the years, and I was honored and thrilled when he reached out to me when he was looking to add another surgeon to his team. It had to be kismet that he was now working at a hospital between where I went to undergrad and not far from Saltmeadow Point.
The combination of working with my mentor and being closer to home was irresistible.
Once everyone is seated, Alisha proceeds with the meeting. “Dr. Jacobs, once again, we are excited to welcome you to Palmetto Regional and look forward to adding your accomplished talents to our group of distinguished medical providers.”
I clear my throat, surprisingly nervous to address this group of established individuals at my dream job. “Thank you, and I’m very pleased to be here. I value the opportunity to meet with this group of hospital and surgical leadership. I’m looking forward to taking this next step in my career, and I’m extremely thrilledit will be here. I greatly respect the values and standards this organization represents and the resources they provide for the community and surrounding areas. And for a long time now, I have wanted to work with and continue learning from Dr. Walsh.”
Connor dips his head in acknowledgement.
Murmurs and nods of assent are shared from around the table. Dr. Diego Merritt, the Director of the Surgical Physicians’ Group and Chief of Surgery, booms, “Excellent!”
After the initial introductions and a brief round table discussion, most of the group departs. Connor slaps me on the back as he leaves the room, leaning in to whisper, “You’ve got the job, no need to fawn all over me.”
Covering my almost snort by clearing my throat, I grin and shrug my shoulders.
“Get this wrapped up. We need you here and part of the team,” he says more loudly.
“Yes, sir,” I say while maintaining a straight face, but the gleam in Connor’s eyes tells me he heard the sarcasm.
