Amelia
Three Weeks Before Christmas
No matter how many times Dalton had asked, I hadn’t told him what it was Connie had said the night of the kids’ Christmas party. In the last week, we’d gone to work separately, we’d had lunch separately, and I’d done nothing but pull away. It wasn’t because I was confused about how I felt about him, because I wasn’t. Dalton wasn’t who he was at work. He was a kind man who was capable of love and passion. It was because of Connie and the hatred and threats she’d spewed at me. So, for me, pulling away was the answer.
I knew Dalton was confused. I could see it in his eyes every time he looked at me. I’d become cold and withdrawn and absolutely hated myself for it. It wasn’t like me to be this way toward him, especially without telling him why. He’d even tried to get me alone for an explanation, but each time I had a reason why I couldn’t talk.
That was, until last night.
Charlotte had left for the day, and I was busy in the copy room putting away supplies when he’d come in and shut the door behind him. He placed his hands on my hips and placed a gentle kiss on the side of my neck.
Instantly, I thought I was going to break at the feel of him behind me. It was then he confessed to missing me and wanted to know if I would come join him and the kids for the night. Another kiss to the side of the neck and I was his. I couldn’t turn him down.
I looked up from the kids’ Christmas list and saw Dalton come into the living room carrying a bottle of wine and two glasses. He stopped, turning down the lights, gave me that sexy smile, and sat down beside me.
“Care for a drink?”
I placed the list on the table and smiled. “I’d love one.”
He opened the wine and began pouring the two glasses as he met my eyes.
“I’m glad you joined us tonight,” he said, handing me my glass, then clinking his against mine.
“Same.” I softly smiled as I took a sip.
“I’ve missed you.”
I nodded. “Dalton, I’ve missed you as well, and I’m sorry I’ve been avoiding you.”
I saw the questions in his eyes, but I also knew he knew it had to do with why I’d run.
“She can be awful,” he said quietly, studying me. “She confronted me too, a couple of days before the party.”
I looked up at him, shocked that he hadn’t told me that night. Perhaps had I not run and talked with him, he would have told me. Although he too could have brought the fact that she confronted him to me as well, to warn me if nothing more.
“What did she say to you?” he questioned.
I took another sip of my wine and looked up at him. “She claimed she knew why you request my help in the ER when you aid down there.”
Dalton frowned. “I request your help because you are a fucking exceptional nurse. No other reason.”
I felt my cheeks heat at his admission. “I know. She was referring to a conversation we’d had before anything happened between us, but I know Connie. She is great at twisting situations and words around. The things she’s made up…”
“You don’t need to explain. I’ve heard,” Dalton said, taking my hand in his. “You also need to stand up to her.”
“I don’t know. She’s my boss.” I shrugged, worried how this could turn out. “She is the head RN.”
“Who could be viewed as harassing you. Especially if she is making things up about your personal life, which in turn is affecting your work life.”
I knew Dalton was right, but I also worried what would happen if she reported us to human resources. However, since we hadn’t made our situation public, we could just deny it and it would go away. They may watch us for a while, but not forever.
“Just hold your ground, okay? She is your boss at the hospital, but also remember I am as well. Just remember that.”
I nodded and welcomed his lips to mine.
The next morning, I walked through Eastport Mall trying to find a Christmas gift for Claire and Tommy. I’d picked a couple of ideas off their lists with Dalton’s help, and since it was my day off, I figured today was a good day to find something.
I stood inside the toy store singing along to “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” when I heard someone call my name. I turned around to see Connie. Irritation filled me as she approached me with a smile. I swallowed hard as I smiled back.
“Hey, Connie,” I said, doing my best to focus on finding exactly what action figure it was Tommy had asked for.
“So, what are you doing here?” she questioned.
I gave her a questioning look, wondering why she was so interested in why I was here, and she let out a little laugh. “What do you mean?” I asked.
“Well, what I mean is this is a toy store, and you don’t have kids.”
I took in a deep breath as I picked up a box I was certain was the correct toy and began looking it over. “Shopping for a friend,” I bit out.
“You realize I’m not stupid. There is word floating around the hospital that has me a little concerned.”
“Oh? What would that be?” I said, picking up another box and giving it a once-over, trying not to react to what she was saying.
“That you and Dalton are seeing one another?”
“Is that so?” I questioned, doing my best to keep my composure.
“Yes.”
“Well, people have their lines crossed because we are nothing more than friends, Connie,” I said, putting the box back on the shelf, continuing to look at the other ones.
“You realize I see how you two look at one another?”
I picked up the next box. “How would that be?”
“Don’t pretend you don’t know. Plus, I’ve never seen Dalton recommend anyone, yet he has recommended you time and time again.”
“Perhaps it’s because he thinks I’m good at my job. Did that thought cross your mind?”
Connie studied me, saying nothing, but wore this small smirk.
“What?” I questioned.
“That’s it isn’t it. I’m correct. You’re seeing him.”
“No.”
“Yes, you are. You don’t lie well. Plus, if you knew he thought you were good at your job, it wouldn’t have shocked you the day I told you about him recommending you. You yourself know what he is like to work for. Which leads me to believe that is why he was recommending you to begin with. Because the two of you are together.”
I shook my head. I could feel my cheeks heating, and I knew there was no way I could play into this anymore. She’d be able to tell from my expression that what she was saying was true.
“That’s it, isn’t it? You two are together.” A funny look washed over her face as she stood up a little straighter. It was enough to frighten me. “, you realize that it’s against hospital policy to date a superior, don’t you?”
“For the hundredth time, we aren’t dating. We are friends,” I gritted, my irritation growing bigger by the second.
Connie studied me, and I almost thought she believed me until she gave me an evil smile and shook her head.
“You know, , I’ve always liked you, and I’d love to believe you, but one girl mentioned to me a couple of days ago that she saw the two of you at The Cooling Rack together, eating lunch.”
“So what?” I said, shoving the list into my back pocket. “We were two colleagues having lunch. What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing, if it were true. However, I’ve never known someone who hates someone to have lunch with said person, or to help them with his kids, or to hold hands.”
I went to walk away, tired of listening to this craziness. She was trying to get me to crack, and I couldn’t allow her to know how close I was to doing so.
“I’ll be talking to the proper channels later this week at work,” she called out.
“Do whatever you feel you need to do, Connie,” I said as I turned and made my way toward the exit, worry filling me.
I rushed to my car and then sped out of the parking lot back to Dalton’s, ready to tell him everything, but when I got inside, he was on the phone and it looked serious.
I poured myself a hot coffee and sat down, fretting about the news I had to tell him. I listened as he spoke; it sounded like it was about a patient. Finally, he said he’d be there soon and then hung up the phone.