Page 16

“Excuse me?”

Lena shook her head. “I saw you looking at her and you can forget it. I know I said that you two would make a cute couple, but I was wrong. Nope. Not happening. Forget I even went there.”

Sage frowned. “I’m confused. What brought on this sudden change to steer clear of the new receptionist? I still recall that day that you were all for it. What’d she ever do to you?”

Lena sighed. “She didn’t do anything to me, personally. But what do you think about her? I mean really think about her?”

“Didn’t give it much mind.” Sage took a drink of her water. “I mean, at first, I’d say she was a loose cannon. I mean the way she beat the copier, it must’ve been crying.” Sage laughed. When Lena didn’t join in, she continued. “I guess maybe first impressions aren’t always the way to go, though. She’s alright, I suppose. But again, I ask, what’d she do to you? I mean you seem to be suddenly in a sour mood.”

“Not sour.” Lena looked down at her sandwich, while Sage watched with intent. “I agree she definitely is a loose cannon. Not too sure I would say that side of her is in the past.” Sage turned to where Stassi was standing at the deli, observing the options like new ones could appear. Sage was prepared to say she’d been wrong, but now Lena was leading her to think that first impressions were the sole route to look. “I think that maybe looks is all Stassi has going for her.”

“Ya think?” Sage turned to Stassi as she paid for her sandwich and then turned, instantly locking gaze with Sage. She raised her hand slightly.

“Great,” Lena mumbled. “If you do that, then Stassi will want to come over here and sit; frankly, I’m not in the mood. I might just rudely get up and excuse myself.

“Wait a minute.” Sage turned and stared. “I’m so confused. Something is amiss here, so what is it?”

Lena sighed. “You asked for it. I heard that Stassi slept her way into this position.”

“What?” Sage squealed, then started laughing. “You’re a riot. Stassi slept her way into the position? Why? Because hospital receptionist is such an exciting job. If she was going to do that, why wouldn’t she push for something with a little more depth to it? I think you’re crazy.”

She turned and Stassi continued to look around for an empty table. At that moment, it broke Sage’s heart that she wasn’t waving her down and offering her a friendly face. Lena most likely didn’t have any proof behind the accusations that the hospital was throwing around. She tapped her fingers against the table and stared at Stassi, just waiting for someone to offer her a seat.

“Who’d you hear that from?” She turned and glared at Lena.

“Marcus heard it from Seth, who heard it from…” Before she could continue Sage waved her hand, dismissing Lena’s comments. “I’m just saying, who wants to associate with someone that could possibly have slept with the right person to get a job?”

“I highly doubt it’s true,” Sage replied. Just a slight inkling inside her said anything was possible. “If it is then it’s not really any of our business.” Sage shrugged. “But Stassi is wandering out there like a lost puppy dog, looking for someone to throw them a bone.”

“That someone doesn’t need to be you,” Lena argued.

Sage sat back in her seat and contemplated it, but the truth was that if the rumors were true, people would lose faith in those associated with her. Sad, but true. She put her head down, questioning everything, but wishing Stassi would find one person to just wave her over and take the pressure off her.

Stassi

When Stassi first entered the cafeteria and saw Sage, she hoped Sage would welcome her to her table. After all, she had lunch with her in the courtyard, so it wouldn’t be too surprising. But things didn’t go quite as planned. She spotted her with Lena, and they looked rather cozy. She caught them laughing and talking so closely that no one would interrupt that. Perhaps there was more than just a friendship between them. And if that were true, it would be disappointing.

Why worry about it? It’s already been decided that you can’t do anything but friendship.

She allowed her eyes to stray away from them. A few times, she would make eye contact, but when she waved, she barely elicited a response. She sighed and tried to make the best of a painful situation. The sound of thunder echoed through the cafeteria walls, and she shrugged. No going outside today.

“Hey, you.” She felt a tap on her shoulder, startled; she nearly dropped her sandwich. She spun on her heel and saw Marcus. At least it was a friendly face. Not the one she wanted to come across, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. “Just got here myself. Wanna join me?” He leaned in, lowering his voice. “I hate to eat alone. Please say yes.” He offered her a wink, and she nodded with relief.

They went to a corner table just a few feet away from Sage and Lena. She had to pass the table to get to where March led the way, and she forced herself not to look in her direction. How much more awkward could it be when it was painfully obvious that Lena and Sage didn’t want her sitting with them?

“Hi, Marcus,” Lena said. From the corner of Stassi’s eye, she saw Lena toss a look at her. It caused her to be on edge. She didn’t know what she could have done to get such a response. Last she spoke with Lena, Lena was helping her locate a missing chart. She seemed nice and never gave the vibe that she needed to steer clear of her.

They sat down, with her back to their table. “So, how’s work going?” Marcus asked.

“Good. Pretty good. No complaints.”

“That’s convincing,” he laughed, digging into the soup that he had bought. He looked up as he tore into the package of crackers. “Anything else exciting going on in your job?”

Stassi laughed. He was funny, put her at ease, and helped her forget that just a few feet away was another table that she wasn’t welcome at

“It’s really going well. It’s different from what I’ve been doing for the past few years.”

“Oh yeah? What’s that? Stripper?” She had taken a drink of water and nearly spit it out. She gawked at him, but he was laughing so hard, clearly cracking himself up. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t resist.” He held up his hand and shook his head. “Only joking, but then broke into laughter again. “I should have held back until you really got to know me because you probably think I’m a total ass.”