Sara met Joe when he flew into Portland. He had a final interview at the hospital, but the job was as good as his. As an infectious disease specialist, he had seen more disease in overseas, than most of his colleagues would see in a lifetime.
His big strong hug didn't stir a sexual response. In the two years since she had seen him, her love for him had simmered out, which was a good thing since he was married.
"Sara, my God! It's great to see you! How are you?"
"I'm good. I love my job. I'm settled in."
"We've been in Amsterdam for two months. Mila's working on getting her visa."
"So you're really married? You're not wearing a ring?"
"We skipped the whole ring thing. I wanted to wait until we came to the States to buy one. I need to make some money first."
Sara knew what they were paid while working overseas as compared to in America.
She bumped into him with her shoulder. "Well, I'll remember you're married and not hit on you."
"If you were interested in me, I'm sure you would have during all those years we worked together." He wasn't joking.
Sara was speechless. Would he have been receptive? Did she miss her chance?
"You never liked me as anything more than a friend."
"Are you kidding? I was too old for you, so I wasn't about to tell you."
Sara felt a surge of regret. She had been waiting for Joe to make a move, and he didn't because he felt he was too old. She had spent hours dreaming of him and all she could have told him she cared for him. She needed to be more assertive with men. Unfortunately, the only eligible bachelor she had met so far was Dr. Tardiff, and he gave her the creeps. She felt ill equipped to even know how to meet men after spending her prime years working overseas.
Joe was twelve years older, and she suspected that Dr. Burke was close to his age. She should be heartbroken she missed her chance with Joe, but instead, she was wondering about a different married man.
Joe loved Mila. His face lit up when he talked about her. She couldn't regret what wasn't meant to be.
The following morning Joe dropped her off at the office and took her car to Portland for his interview. He picked her up at the end of the day and they went out to celebrate. The job was officially his. Returning home from dinner, they passed Dr. Tardiff on his way out.
He approached Joe. "Miles Tardiff, MD."
Joe smiled. "Joe Lundgren, MD."
"Really. Have fun you two. I have a baby to deliver." He rushed off.
"That guy is full of himself with his MD bull shit." He smiled. "And he thinks we're dating."
Sara frowned. "Let him. He makes me uncomfortable."
Joe said, "Move."
"The location is perfect. I just humor him, but will never accept his offer for a drink."
Joe scowled, and he reminded her of Dr. Burke. He didn't like Dr. Tardiff, and she would bet money her uncle knew why.
Joe settled into his life in Maine. He bought a car and rented an apartment in Portland. Sara had hers to herself again. Her landlord knew Joe had stayed over and she let him assume they were a couple. Joe started his new job and was looking forward to his wife's arrival in a few weeks.
He had an office at the hospital and when Sara went to visit Lily, she would see him. Lily was in for her third round of treatment. When Sara arrived in the lobby Joe was waiting, and they hugged. As they turned to leave together, she saw Dr. Burke.
"This is a surprise!" She didn't expect him to be at the hospital at night.
"I was in town, so I'm heading up to see my favorite patient."
"I've just come from her room. Dr. Burke, this is Dr. Joe Lundgren."
Joe stuck out his hand, and the two men shook. Joe said, "Infectious disease."
Dr. Burke looked toward Sara. "We work together."
"Ah yes, she mentioned two brothers."
"That's us. Well, I need to get up to see Lily. Nice meeting you." Dr. Burke walked away.
"He's a nice guy. Nicer than the gyno."
She nodded. "He's a good doctor. So how's the job?"
She listened as Joe told her all about it.
Feeling stressed from both work and Lily's illness, she went for a run to release some tension. It was November and cold, but it hadn't snowed yet. Sara was on the track team in high school and had run on and off through the years, when her schedule permitted. After she started work and moved, she had stopped running. She ran a few times a week in the morning, because it was dark after work. One cold morning, she decided she needed to join a gym, if she planned to run through the winter. Soon it would be too icy and snow banks would narrow the roads.
On the days, she ran in the morning, she didn't have time to blow dry her hair. Instead, she wore it up in a ponytail. Dr. Burke scrutinized her one day. Did she look unprofessional? She wished he would smile like he did with his children and Lily. He looked more handsome with a smile than a scowl.
She turned to him. "Did you need something, doctor?"
"I wanted to tell you I saw Lily today. She's finishing up her third treatment."
She smiled. "Thank you. I saw her last night."
"Do you visit her often?"
She shrugged. "Every other day."
He nodded and walked away. Did he approve? It was hard to tell what he was thinking.
Later that afternoon he pulled her aside. "I need to attend a meeting at the hospital on Thursday afternoon."
"Is it about Lily?"
"Yes, we'll review the results of her latest scans and discuss next steps. I know you'll want to know the results. If you want, I can notify you."
Sara shared her phone number with him. It was strictly professional. If his mood was any sign, he already regretted his offer to contact her. He was short with her more than once and she breathed a sigh of relief when she heard he was off on Wednesday. She had a more pleasant work day without him there.
On Thursday, he arrived later than usual, but he was clean shaven and he wore a pressed shirt. She assumed it was because of the meeting about Lily's prognosis. She walked past him and smelled his aftershave and suddenly felt a warm wave flow through her body.
She put her confusion aside and thought of Lily. They would have some answers - good or bad. She replaced the other feeling in her belly with anxiety.