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 breakin 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.”
No, they’ll have to get used to me, and they will—happily. My bedside manner is excellent. I’m gentle and understanding. I’m a good listener, unlike Lucas. I’ll bet he sighs heavily and looks at his watch during appointments. I’ll bet he rushes his patients, hurrying them along when they try to give him their full history.
“If you’ll follow me,” Gina starts. “I’ll show you two to your offices.”
I beat Lucas to the door off of the reception area. He retaliates by striking up a conversation with Gina. I hold back, hoping Gina sees through his transparent efforts to endear himself to her. From the sparkle in her eyes, I suspect she’s happy to be a pawn as long as the king looks like that.