He mulls that over for what feels like a full five minutes, even though it’s probably only thirty seconds. It’s long enough to send me into full-blown deodorant failure. “I like the idea of a PR campaign to redeem his image. That could be very effective in convincing the board to give him a chance to work here, which is my ultimate goal. If his research pays off the way we think it will, that could be a huge coup for us.”
He looks me in the eye. “I want you on this project full-time for the next two weeks, with a report to me at the end of each day on what’s being done. The more you can document through photos and videos, the better. We can put together a presentation for the board that shows him embracing his new community. I really like this idea. Good work, Ms. Giordino.”
“Oh, um, thank you.” It’s all I can do to refrain from giggling like a deranged lunatic. If only he knew the full story. But thank you, Jesus, he doesn’t and hopefully never will. “What about covering the department while I’m out?”
“Don’t worry about that for now. This is the priority. I want this guy—and his research—on our team. I want to see our hospital get the credit when his work pays off. If you can help to make that happen, I’ll consider you for the director position that’s recently come available. Taryn has decided to stay home with her baby for the first few years.”
My mouth falls open in shock. On day two, I’m being considered for a massive promotion? Day two is definitely shaping up to be a vast improvement over day one. “That’d be amazing. I’ll do my very best for you and for Dr. Northrup.”
“I have no doubt. You seem like a very responsible young woman, and we’re lucky to have you on our team.”
If only you knew where I was around this time yesterday . . . “Thank you. I won’t let you down, sir.”
“Excellent. Feel free to come and go from the office as needed to accomplish the assignment. I’ll let Mona know you’re working off-campus so she’s aware. Just make sure she has your cell number so she can reach you if need be.”
“I will.”
He stands to leave and reaches my door before he turns back, seeming slightly chagrined. “When I told Mrs. Augustino that you joined our team, she mentioned how difficult it is to get a reservation at Giordino’s. Our anniversary is coming up. I thought it might be nice to surprise her.”
“I’ll take care of that for you. Just let me know when you’d like to go.”
“Thank you so much. It’s nice to know people with influence. I’ll let you know.”
“Sounds good.”
He walks out of my office, leaving me momentarily stunned by our conversation. Not only did he encourage me to help Jason, but he made it my only assignment for the next two weeks and dangled a dream promotion should I succeed in rehabilitating the good doctor’s reputation.
“Holy moly,” I whisper before I reach for my cell phone to text Jason. Big news. Mr. Augustino has made you my only assignment for the next two weeks. He wants me to help you make a case to the board at their next meeting.
He responds right away. Whoa. That is big news. I sort of got the feeling he didn’t want me around any more than the board did.
Not the case. After hearing your side of the story, he seems to have changed his opinion. He’s very interested in you and your cutting-edge research and having a world-class pediatric neurosurgeon on his team.
Okay, so maybe I’m building him up a bit, but after the reception he received yesterday, he has to be feeling pretty low. I don’t mention the possible promotion that’s at stake for me, because that’s not something he needs to know. I was prepared to help him before there was a promotion on the table, so that hasn’t changed anything.
What’s our first order of business, boss?
I want to speak to the free clinic. Can you check on your insurance?
Will do right away.
I’ll hit you up shortly.
Sounds good.
I grab my purse, keys, phone and coffee and head out of my office. “I’ll be out for the rest of the day.”
“Mr. Augustino said you’re working on a special project.”
“That’s right.”
“Is he tall, blond and handsome?”
“Bye, Mona.”
“I won’t tell anyone. Don’t worry.”
I roll my eyes and walk out of the executive office suite into the hallway that leads to the elevator. As I walk to my car, I place a call to my cousin Maria.
“Hey, prima. How’s the new job?”
“It’s been rather interesting so far.”
“In a good way, I hope.”
“Jury’s still out. I have a question for you. Are you guys still looking for a doctor at the clinic?”
“God, yes. We’re so slammed, and with only a part-time nurse practitioner who can write scripts, we’re dying over here.”
“I may have someone who can help.”
“Fantastic.”
I tell her about Jason.
“What the hell does a pediatric neurosurgeon want with a free clinic in Little Havana? He knows we can’t pay him much, right?”
“Here’s the thing. He’s willing to volunteer.”
“What’s the catch?”
“He’s had some challenges in his personal life that have the board at Miami-Dade questioning whether they want him on their staff.”
“What kind of challenges?”
I lean against my car, close my eyes and say a silent prayer to my late grandfathers, hoping they can help me out here. If the clinic doesn’t work out for whatever reason, I don’t exactly have a plan B waiting on deck. “He had an affair with the board chair’s wife in New York.”
“Ugh, Carmen . . .”
“Wait, there’s more.” I tell her the rest about how the woman used him and that Jason didn’t know she was married, least of all to the chairman of the board of his hospital. “He had real feelings for her and was crushed by the whole thing.”
“Why doesn’t he just say so?”
“Because she has kids, and he’s being sensitive to what it would do to them if he came out and said their mother used him for sex so she could get rid of their father.”
“I guess it’s true what they say,” she says with a sigh.
I’m not following her. “What is?”
“There’s no such thing as a free neurosurgeon.”
“He wouldn’t be doing it for the money, Mari. He’s determined to make a new life for himself down here. He wants to get to know the community and make an impact.”
“And if the end result is that Miami-Dade grants privileges, all the better, right?”
“Will you meet him and give him a chance?”
“Let me talk to my boss and see what she thinks. It’s her call. The good news for your guy is we might be desperate enough to overlook the scandal.”
“Call me when you know?”
“Will do.”
“Thanks for this. I appreciate it.”
“How’d you get involved?”
“That’s a story for another day and requires vodka.”
“I can’t wait to hear it. I’ll get back to you shortly.”