Shadows of Recovery (Everhart Family #3)

Chapter 4

Four

A few hours after speaking with Chris Skylar and Karen in HR, Tristan found himself staring at Sophie's file, her phone number printed neatly at the top. He took a deep breath, picked up his phone, and dialed. His heart raced as the phone rang, and he hoped he could navigate this conversation with the delicacy it required.

"Sophie Everhart speaking," came her clear, professional voice on the other end.

"Hi, Sophie. It's Tristan Blackwell," he said, trying to keep his voice steady.

There was a brief pause. "Oh, hi, Tristan. Is everything okay?"

"Yes, everything's fine. I just... I wanted to talk to you about something. Can we meet for dinner tonight? There are a few things I’d like to discuss, including... our night together and my conversation with HR."

He could hear the slight catch in her breath. "Are you... are you reconsidering the job offer?"

"No, not at all," he reassured her quickly. "It's nothing like that. I just think we need to have an honest conversation about everything."

There was a pause, and then her voice softened. "Okay. Dinner sounds good. Where and when?"

"There's a nice little place called The Maple Leaf, just a few blocks from the hospital. How about seven PM?"

"That sounds good. I'll see you there," she agreed.

"Great. See you then." Tristan felt a mix of anxiety and anticipation as he ended the call.

* * *

Sophie agreed to meet Tristan for dinner, but as she hung up the phone, her heart was in her throat. Initially, she feared he was going to rescind her job offer, but when he mentioned discussing what had happened between them, she grew more apprehensive.

The time they spent together was amazing. Tristan had saved her from a predator that night, and their connection was immediate and intense. He was attractive as all hell, and the sex they shared was passionate and unforgettable. She wasn't a virgin, but she never had a man put her first in bed.

Did he want to see her again? Or did he want to forget it happened?

What did she want? Did she want a relationship? Would this hurt her career? She needed advice.

Without hesitation, she called her sister Isobel, a forensic psychologist. Isobel was always good at seeing the bigger picture and offering sound advice, especially regarding workplace dynamics.

"Soph. Hey, what's up?" Isobel answered cheerfully.

"Hey, Izzy. I need your advice on something," Sophie began.

"Of course, what's going on?" Izzy's tone immediately became serious. “Are you alright?”

Sophie took a deep breath and recounted the events, the unexpected reunion with Tristan and his dinner invitation to discuss their one-night stand and his conversation with HR. She didn't hold back, sharing emotions swirling inside her.

After they talked about all the possibilities, Sophie sighed, feeling slightly more grounded. "You're right, Izzy. I need to figure out what I really want. I don't want to lose the opportunity for something great out of fear, but I also don't want to make a decision I'll regret later."

As the evening approached, Sophie grew more nervous. She chose a simple yet elegant dress, hoping to strike the right balance between professional and personal. Arriving at The Maple Leaf, she spotted Tristan waiting at a table near the back, looking anxious but determined.

"Hi, Tristan," she greeted him warmly as she approached.

"Hi, Sophie.” He stood up to pull out her chair. "Thanks for coming."

"Of course.” She sat down and met his gaze. "I think talking is a good idea.”

After they ordered their meals and a bottle of red wine, Tristan took a deep breath. "I want to start by saying that hiring you was one of the best and easiest decisions I’ve made. Your qualifications and reputation are impeccable."

"Thank you, Tristan.” Warmth spread through her at his words. "That means a lot to me."

"But we also need to talk about our night together," he continued. "I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you. I don’t want what happened between us to be a one-time thing."

“Wow,” Sophie’s heart skipped a beat, "I feel the same way. But now we’ll be working together. I’m worried about the potential complications. I don’t want to jeopardize my career, and I don’t want to cause any issues for you either."

"I understand." Tristan reached across the table to take her hand. "I spoke with HR today, and they outlined the steps we could take to handle this professionally if we choose to pursue a relationship. We have to set clear boundaries at work and be transparent with upper management. But before any of that, I need to know how you feel."

Sophie looked into his eyes, seeing the sincerity and vulnerability there. "I care about you, Tristan. That night was incredible, and I’ve thought about you a lot since then. But I’m also passionate about my career, and I don’t want to do anything that might harm it."

"I care about you too," Tristan said softly. "And I don’t want to do anything that might harm your career either. I’d like to date you and see where things between us go.”

Sophie squeezed his hand, feeling a sense of clarity. "I want to try too. But we need to take things slowly.”

“HR told me, first and foremost, we need to ensure there’s no conflict of interest or perception of favoritism. We will be required to sign a statement stating we are involved in a consensual relationship. As your supervisor, I will be required to transfer all supervisory tasks to Dr. Elaine Thompson. As for us, we’ll take it one step at a time and make sure we’re respecting both our professional and personal boundaries."

"Thank you for being so understanding.” Her heart swelled with affection for him.

The tension of the conversation melted away as they began to talk more freely. Over dinner, their conversation flowed easily, taking on a more lighthearted tone.

“So, why medicine?” Sophie speared a piece of her salad with a grin. “Was it a calling, or did someone just look at you one day and say, ‘Hey, you look like you’d enjoy spending a decade in school, living on caffeine and adrenaline’?”

Tristan chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “Oh, definitely the latter. I thought, why not dive headfirst into student loans and sleepless nights? Seemed like a great idea at the time.”

Sophie laughed. “Right? Nothing says fun like memorizing the entire human anatomy and then being quizzed on it at three a.m.”

“Exactly,” Tristan replied with a grin. “But in all seriousness, I went to Columbia in New York. Growing up, I wanted to be a pilot, but then I realized I’m terrified of heights. Medicine seemed like the next best thing—keep my feet on the ground, but still get to play hero.”

“Columbia, huh?” Sophie nodded, impressed. “Very fancy. I went to the University of South Dakota. A bit less glamorous, but, hey, we have the Corn Palace.”

Tristan raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance. “The Corn Palace? Now I’m intrigued. Tell me more.”

“It’s exactly what it sounds like,” Sophie said, trying to keep a straight face. “A building decorated with corn. It’s a big deal. Not quite the Empire State Building, but it has its charm.”

“I’ll have to add it to my travel bucket list,” Tristan replied, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

They continued chatting, moving on to family. “I have four sisters,” Sophie shared. “Our house was always chaotic, like living in a real-life sitcom. I’m the smartest, so I got away with a lot.”

Tristan laughed. “Four sisters? I have a feeling they may disagree with you about who’s the smartest. I’ve got a brother and two sisters, all doctors. Family dinners are basically medical conferences.”

Sophie grinned. “So, what do you talk about at Thanksgiving? The latest in surgical techniques, or who makes the best stuffing?”

“A little of both, actually,” Tristan admitted, chuckling. “There’s always some debate over who inherited the better bedside manner. It’s all in good fun, though. Well, until someone brings up the time I nearly fainted during a dissection in med school.”

“Oh, I’ve got to hear that story.” Sophie leaned in with a playful smirk.

Tristan shook his head, mock groaning. “It’s a tale of bravery and embarrassment. Long story short, I wasn’t as tough as I thought during my first autopsy. Let’s just say I ended up on the wrong side of the examination table—flat on my back.”

Sophie burst out laughing. “I’m glad you didn’t stick with piloting then. Imagine if that had happened in a cockpit!”

“Right? ‘Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. I’ll be unconscious for the remainder of the flight, so buckle up!’” Tristan quipped, joining in her laughter.

They continued sharing stories, each one more ridiculous than the last, their connection deepening with each laugh and shared memory. The initial awkwardness of the evening was long gone, replaced by a genuine sense of camaraderie and growing affection.

As they left the restaurant, Tristan walked Sophie to her car. Under the soft glow of the streetlights, he looked into her hazel eyes, feeling a sense of peace. "Goodnight, Sophie," he said softly, leaning in to kiss her cheek. “I’d like to see you again. You don’t start at the hospital for another two weeks.”

"Goodnight, Tristan," she replied, her smile warm and genuine. "I’d like that.”