“Sounds like we’re on the same page, then. Give me a call if you need anything.” Twin spots of color formed on her cheeks, and she quickly added, “I mean the clinic. Call the clinic if you need anything.”
Andrew kept his eyes on Lauren as she walked down the hallway. She raised one hand to smooth her hair and slid it down the back of her head, gripping her neck for a moment as she walked. Just as she turned the corner she dropped her arm to her side and looked back, meeting his eyes for the briefest second before she was out of view.
“Andrew?” Valerie’s voice sounded in his ear. “Are you listening?”
“What?” Andrew found five women staring at him. Four, he was used to. But Mandi had apparently rejoined them and was eyeing him as well. “Sorry.”
“No problem. I just wanted to let you know what I’m about to give you,” Mandi said. “All three of these are medications to prevent nausea. I’ll run them separately, one right after another. Should take about forty-five minutes.”
Andrew nodded understanding. Here we go. Nerves unfurled deep in his gut, and he suddenly felt antsy. He had a strong urge to get up and leave, but that wouldn’t do him any good. Inhaling deeply, he pulled his phone out of his pocket, hoping to distract himself with Instagram.
Mandi manipulated the tubing and pressed a few buttons on the computerized pump attached to the IV pole. His mother asked Mandi where she was from and how long she’d been an oncology nurse.
Jeni jumped in at the first break in conversation. “Do you know Lauren well, Mandi?”
His phone was suddenly much less interesting.
“The pharmacist? Sure. She’s our oncology resident this year. The best one we’ve ever had, if you ask me. I really hope they find a job for her here when she’s done. I know she wants to stay, but from what she’s told me, persuading the hospital administration to fund another position isn’t easy.”
Andrew had no idea pharmacists even did residencies. He wondered how long it was. Would she finish and move on while he was still getting treatment? Had she said anything about that before? He thought back to his first office visit, trying to remember.
“Is she single?” Jeni asked.
Andrew shifted in the chair, the movement creaking across the leather material. He glared at Jeni, and she shot him a deceptively innocent expression.
Mandi paused. “Yes, I think she is.” Her eyes went to Andrew as she answered, like he’d been the one to ask the question.
He looked at her blankly, not sure how to respond.
Mandi offered a small smile. “You’re all ready to go. I’ll be back when it’s time to switch them out.”
“Thank you,” Rhonda said, and Andrew realized he’d almost forgotten she was there. She’d always been the quiet one.
Maybe she should be his new favorite sister.
Mandi walked away and Andrew immediately whisper-yelled at Jeni, “I’m going to kill you.”
The smug expression on her face grated on his nerves.
“We’ll see about that.”