if I want two more nurses?”
She turned to the computer, clicked the keys and assimilated the information that popped up. “According to this, NICU productivity is at ninety-four percent.”
“That sounds pretty good.”
“Not really. It means you have to give up a nurse.”
“You’re kidding,” he said.
“Do I look like I’m kidding?”
No, but she looked like she was enjoying this more than was absolutely necessary. She also looked like a woman who needed a full-body-contact kiss and he was just the relative value unit to give it to her.
“So, what happens if the NICU is full and the perinatologist sends over a high-risk pregnancy patient who delivers a twenty-four-week baby? How do I get a nurse?”
“The percentages are set at safe staffing levels. But in an extreme case, you contact the on-call nurse. If there’s a need for more help, you try to catch someone else at home and ask them to come in.”
“And what if we can’t find someone?”
“What if a brontosaurus walks in with two eggs and one of them cracks?” She folded her hands on the desk.
He knew what she was getting at, but this spirited back and forth was the most fun he’d had since the last time they’d talked.
“And your point is?” he asked, settling into the chair in front of her desk for a full-on view of her.
“You can’t staff for ‘what if.’ In a perfect world, yes. But we go by averages, then adjust to the reality we’re dealing with.”
“When I go in to see Ryan, am I going to get a rewind and play of this whole conversation?” It had been much more palatable coming from her, he realized.
“Probably.”
“Well, I’m already here.” And so was she. He had the testosterone rush to prove it. “Might as well go in and try to grind him down.”
“Good luck.”
Speaking of luck … It was time to stop talking shop and try again to grind her down. Or at least find out what her beef was with him.
“I’m having a NICU meeting today at five o’clock. Nurses, respiratory therapy. You should come. Everyone who works in the unit is invited.”
“I don’t work there.” Pink crept into her cheeks. “At least not on the babies.”
“Consider this part of your administrative internship. Good experience to come and hear the opposing point of view.”
“As tempting as that is …”
That was a no without saying no. And he knew she really didn’t need to be there. Personnel and administration were like Democrats and Republicans. They’d never see eye to eye. He just wanted the opportunity to spend a little time with her.
“I’d really like to see you.” He wasn’t talking about the meeting, and the way her eyes narrowed told him she knew it. “But this is me not using your phone number.”
“Look, Nathan, I’m really flattered that you asked. Partly because I thought that ship had sailed last week. But mostly because …” She stopped, clearly weighing how much to say. “Because every single woman younger than fifty who works in this facility, and some who don’t, are waiting in line to give you their phone numbers. But I’m not one of them.”
“Why is that?”
“Mostly because I can’t help wondering why you keep asking.”
“You mean am I up to something?” he asked.
“I mean is it just stubbornness? Ego? You being contrary?”
“Is it so hard to believe that I want to get to know you better?”
“Oh, please.” She made a scoffing sound. “That’s code for hooking up.”
He wouldn’t say no to a hookup, but that wasn’t his primary objective. “I’d really like to see you outside of work.”
“Let me be clear. And honest. You said it yourself. I’m a busy girl. I don’t have time in my schedule for a fling.”
“Neither do I.”
Her eyes flashed with what looked like anger and frustration. “In my experience, guys like you are all about the one who said no.”
“Later I’m probably going to be annoyed at being lumped in with the jerks.”
She ignored that and continued. “Let’s just skip to the end. How about if I just sleep with you? Then I can get you out of my life. It’s not even necessary to buy me dinner. It will save us both time. Seven minutes tops.”
“Ouch.” He’d heard both heat and hurt in her voice, and that took the sting out of the words for him. If only it had canceled out his curiosity, but he wasn’t that lucky. “What if I want to buy you dinner? No strings.”
“Do you?” she asked suspiciously.
“Take a chance. Find out for yourself.”
“If I do will you go away quietly?”
“Can we just take this one step at a time?” he asked. “Don’t spoil the surprise. That takes all the fun out of it.”
“In my experience, there’s nothing fun about a surprise.”
That was the second time she’d mentioned her experience. It didn’t take a mental giant to figure out that whatever happened hadn’t been good. If Nathan was as smart as everyone thought, he’d run from Cindy and her emotional baggage. But apparently he wasn’t that bright. Because he was inclined to sit here and wait until she agreed to go out with him.
“You know you want to say yes,” he coaxed.
“Were you raised by wolves? What part of no do you not understand?” She glared at him.
“My parents were incredibly civilized. Just not to each other.” He refused to take the bait. It didn’t escape his notice that she was pulling out all the stops to get him to give up. That made the challenge of wearing her down all the more stimulating. “Come on, Cindy. It will be fun.”
“The Titanic was fun, too, if you like freezing cold water and gigantic icebergs opening up the side of your ship like a tuna can.”
“I’m not leaving until you agree to have dinner with me tonight.” Tonight because he didn’t want to give her time to back out.
She thought for several moments and apparently decided he wasn’t backing down. After an exaggerated sigh, she said, “All right. But only because I have to eat.”
“I’ll pick you up at seven.”
Chapter Four
Cindy peeked out the window of her tiny three-bedroom home in the old part of Henderson. Nathan wasn’t there yet, but it was only six-fifty. She still had ten minutes to fret over and change the sleeveless black cotton sundress that had been her second outfit choice. If only her fairy godmothers were here with borrowed clothes, shoes and much-needed advice because she was running low on clothing options and was fresh out of common sense. A limited budget didn’t allow for a large wardrobe. Lack of variety sure cut down on time spent making a decision, but that didn’t erase the desperate wish to not care so much about looking her very best.
Because impressing Nathan Steele wasn’t the goal for tonight. Men were trouble and she didn’t need any more of it. This dinner was all about getting the doctor to back off and leave her alone so she could focus on her internship and the current job that helped pay her mountain