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However, he decided against raising the subject with Jack. His fellow obstetrician didn’t know the people involved, nor did he necessarily have any relevant experience.
“I’ve been meaning to talk to you.” Jack’s statement broke into his thoughts.
“Shoot.”
“It’s about the office situation. Adrienne believes it’s too early, but if we wait, we may lose our chance.” Jack stuffed his paper plate into the trash.
“Too early for what?” Nick wasn’t keen on hospital politics. Still, he felt a natural affinity for the colleagues who, in some cases, had to work odd schedules and share inadequate office space due to overcrowding.
“The Porvamm.” At his blank reaction, Jack explained, “That’s our nickname for the Portia and Vince Adams Memorial Medical Building.”
That name rang a bell. “The dental building.”
His colleague perched on the arm of a couch. “It’s got five stories. You’d think there’d be plenty of room to go around, right?”
“Sure.” Nick peered into the staff refrigerator on the chance that there might be additional, overlooked treats. No such luck.
“The upper floors will house labs, operating suites and so on for the men’s fertility program,” Jack told him. “We all hope there’ll still be space for the rest of us, but we can’t assume. We’re forming a committee to encourage Dr. Rayburn to set aside a floor for ob-gyns, pediatricians and neonatologists. Are you in?”
“I’d like to know more about it.” Caution paid, especially for a guy who’d been on staff only a week.
“Okay.” Jack cleared his throat. “You aren’t close to your cousin, are you?”
“That would be an understatement. Why, is he involved?”
The other doctor nodded. “Considering that he just arrived in November, he’s already throwing his weight around plenty. Buzzing in Cole Rattigan and Mark Rayburn’s ears about making sure there’s room for future urology fellows.”
“He’d rather leave offices empty than fill them with current doctors who’re already overcrowded?” That sounded like Marshall. The spoiled product of a privileged upbringing, he looked down his nose at anyone who wasn’t part of his group or, in this case, his medical specialty.
“So you’re with us?”
Nick tapped his watch. “Listen, I’m interested, but if I don’t get moving, the L&D nurse is going to send out a search party.”
“Speaking of parties, you should get better acquainted with the rest of the staff.” Jack accompanied him toward the hall. “We’re having a get-together Saturday afternoon in honor of my uncle’s recent marriage. Anesthesiologist Rod Vintner. You’ve met him?”
A mental image formed of a slender man wearing a fedora, his short graying beard and mustache neatly trimmed. “Dr. Rayburn introduced us. He’s a funny guy.”
“Hilarious, mostly at my expense.” Jack smiled. “I’ll email you the details.”
“Thanks. I’d enjoy that.” Nick hadn’t yet promised to join their committee, but he hoped the invitation stemmed from more than simple politicking. And he was eager to widen his circle of acquaintances.
Although he’d grown up and lived until recently only a half hour’s drive from here, most of his old friends had marched down the aisle and now socialized as couples.
When it came to dating, Nick had learned caution from his disastrous relationship with Bethany. Since his move, the only woman who’d caught his eye was Zady. How frustrating to run into her not only at the Harbor Suites but also at the supermarket and around their residential motel, and he couldn’t do more than say hello.
Even at a distance, he noticed appealing quirks, like her habit of mumbling to herself and then halting with a guilty start. And the ironic slant of her mouth when she regarded him promised peppery rejoinders—if only she’d talk to him.
All the more irksome that he was avoiding her because of his cousin. Nick had learned from Adrienne about a rumor going around the hospital that he’d abandoned his pregnant girlfriend and their son. Only Marshall would spread such a dishonest tale. And although tempted to broadcast the fact that his cousin was a lying snob, Nick had simply told his suitemates the truth and left it at that.
Once people got to know Nick better, it should be easier to counter Marshall’s attempts to undermine him. Working nights made that difficult, so the invitation for Saturday was appealing. With his regular visit to Caleb scheduled for Sunday, Nick should have a pleasantly busy weekend.
His thoughts shifted to the evening ahead. Each time he held a newborn in his hands, a sense of wonder swept over him. What more could a man ask than to participate in miracles all night?
Humming tunelessly, he quickened his pace toward the elevator.
* * *
HAD THERE EVER BEEN a cuter baby boy in the history of the world? Zady wondered as she gazed down at her nephew, Orlando, snuggling in her arms and wrapped in a hand-crocheted blanket. Two months old and already he could yawn and gurgle with the best of them.
Guiltily, she glanced up at Karen, who was greeting guests. Although Zady had fulfilled her responsibility of setting up the dining room buffet table, she felt as if she should be doing more. Instead, she hadn’t been able to resist when her sister laid Orlando in her arms.
The landlady seemed oblivious to Zady’s guilty vibes. No one else glared at her, either. Lucky and Zora were welcoming friends, while Rod’s daughters, Tiffany and Amber, circulated with trays of appetizers. At thirteen, Tiffany showed signs of developing into a beauty, while eleven-year-old Amber retained a childish playfulness. As they passed their father, Rod helped himself to the treats, proclaiming it his duty to serve as official taster.
Standing in the den of Karen’s house, Zady reveled in the waves of love that surrounded her. Unfortunately, the joyous feeling faded at the memory of a blow she’d received this morning.
She’d figured she was completely over Dwayne, her faithless ex-boyfriend. Sure, he could be devilishly sexy, but she’d been a fool to stick around when he kept postponing marriage and children, pointing out that he already had three from his former marriage.
Then he’d cheated on her, impregnated his girlfriend and crowed about becoming a father again. Zady had finally found the strength to dump the guy and, along with him, the decade she’d invested in him.
But this morning, a mutual acquaintance had posted pictures of Dwayne’s newborn baby son online.
How could a kid with such rotten genes be so adorable? Not as cute as Orlando, of course, but still... Babies were deceptive. Men were deceptive. Hearts were the worst of all.
Tears stung Zady’s eyes. Here it was, her thirtieth birthday, and she had neither a husband nor a baby. Worse, her gut told her it was largely her fault for making really bad choices.
She could use a friend to pour out her troubles to, but everyone here really belonged to her sister, and despite their renewed closeness, Zady didn’t feel comfortable unloading her misery on Zora. As for Zady’s closest friend from up north, a fellow nurse named Alice Madison, she now lived with her husband and baby in the Los Angeles area, but responded to Zady’s communications with brief, impersonal messages.
Whatever the knack was for developing intimacy, it seemed to have bypassed Zady entirely. If only she could find a guy she related to easily, who didn’t try to take advantage of her. A guy something like Nick...but with better references.
Keeping her face averted to hide her distress, Zady slipped from the den into the kitchen. Mercifully, it was empty, but any minute someone might wander