Our steps clap in unison, left, right, left, right. I desperately yearn to touch the door handle first, a tiny achievement, but it’s impossible unless I break into a sprint. Too desperate even for me. He reaches the door first and I predict he will step inside and lock it behind him. Instead, he steps back and holds it open for me.
I know it’s just an act. Chivalry is dead. Lucas killed it.
When I’m a step away from brushing past him, he smiles coyly and sticks his foot out to trip me. Without breaking stride, I take an exaggerated step over it.
“Did you like the flowers?” he asks.
His voice is deeper and smoother than it was on the phone, like a dark liquor, the kind that leaves you with a nasty hangover.
I smile. “They’re rotting in the garbage.”
“And the card?” His malevolent tone confirms the flowers and the card were less of a gift, and more of a Trojan horse into my psyche.
“It burned nicely.”
Our first encounter in 11 years is sharp. I’m not surprised we’re picking up right where we left off.
We step into the lobby and Dr. McCormick is waiting for us with the rest of the staff. They’re wearing eager smiles and I don my own, careful to tilt my head away from Lucas so he can’t see.
“WELCOME DOCTORS!” they all shout, pointing to the homemade banner hanging behind the reception desk.
My smile widens as our boss steps within earshot. “Good morning, everyone! Dr. McCormick, I brought your usual from The Brew. As for everyone else, the first coffee break is on me today.”
They are pleasantly surprised and Lucas is not. I extend the coffee out to our boss and finally turn to glance up at Lucas. My smile seems genuine because up until a second ago it was. I’ve learned a few tricks over the years.
Lucas evaluates me. He drags his dark gaze from the tip of my ballet flats to the top of my shiny hair; he’s wondering if I’m still a worthy opponent. When the edge of his mouth slowly unwinds into a smirk, I know he’s excited to have his old rival back. He wants to pick the meat from my bones.
Dr. McCormick goes through introductions and while Lucas gives everyone a handshake and a smile, I do more. I commit their names to memory and begin to build a plan of attack for each and every one of them. There are two medical assistants, one nurse, and one office manager. Everyone but the office manager looks young, around my age, and they are all female, all enamored with Lucas right away. It’s biology and I cannot compete, so I try another tactic.
“Those are adorable scrubs, Casey.”
The nurse beams with my approval.
Gina, the office manager, walks around the reception desk and takes two white coats off the rack. There’s one for Lucas and one for me. Lucas grabs for both and mine looks ridiculously small in his hands as he holds it open for me.
“I didn’t realize they came in child sizes,” he says, holding it out to me with a devilish smirk.
I grit my teeth and hold my tongue while the women of the office giggle as if his joke is funny. I’ll have my work cut out for me with this group. Grudgingly, I slip one arm in and turn my back to him. He steps forward as my other arm fills the sleeve, and it’s the closest we’ve been in 11 years. He adjusts the back of my collar and his fingers brush the back of my neck.
His helpful attempt to unsettle me backfires. With my white coat on, I feel intimidating and in charge. It’s embroidered with the logo for McCormick Family Practice on one side and Daisy Bell, M.D. on the other. Dr. McCormick stares between the two of us, tears brimming his eyes. He’s a big softie.
“It goes without saying that I’m proud of the two of you.”
I scoot a little closer to him and Lucas follows.
“Time for the rundown. I figure we’ll do a probationary period where you two get the lay of the land. You both did residencies in big cities and you’ll find that small town practices are different. Here, there are no specialists for 50 miles around. You’ll see it all, and I need to know you both can handle that.”
“And if one of us can’t handle it, what happens?” I ask innocently. Maybe I still have a chance at owning my own practice. My dream isn’t completely dead.
“Oh I doubt that will happen. You’re both capable physicians. This break-in period is more for my benefit than for yours. It’s going to be hard to let go.”
He’s skirting around it, but the fact is, he really thinks Lucas and I will be sharing the practice. I think someone spiked his breakfast with crazy pills.
“I’ve noticed you both seem to have…reservations about sharing the practice. I didn’t mean it to be some kind of trick, so I won’t hold either of you to your contract if you’d like to accept a job elsewhere. I know you both had plenty of offers.”
He doesn’t know me at all if he thinks I’ll bow out now that Lucas Thatcher is my coworker. If anything, I’m more committed to this job than ever before.
“Of course not. Thank you for this opportunity,” I say sincerely.
“I won’t take this position lightly,” Lucas follows. There are audible sighs.
Dr. McCormick chuckles and wipes at a tear that nearly falls down his cheek. Then, with a nod, he transitions the office back into work mode. “All right, well let’s get going. It’ll be a busy day. We’ve already notified the patients ahead of time that their provider will be changing. I’ll see them if they insist on it, but sooner or later, they’ll have to get used to you two being here.”