Don’t Fall for the Doctor by Lacey Bolt
Chapter 1
“Ashley, you’re twenty minutes late.”
Ashley inhaled slowly while raising her coffee cup to her lips. If Gwen, her supervisor, felt entitled to start her commentary before Ashley even clocked in for work, she would enjoy her coffee while listening. The bitter drink didn’t have the usual splash of milk, but she’d had enough nutmeg and cinnamon in her spice drawer to add a little extra flavor before she came into work.
“My shift doesn’t start for another ten minutes. I’m early.” The clock on the wall confirmed the time.
If she were late, she’d accept the consequences. But she never arrived late, even though every ounce of her body dreaded coming to this thankless job every day.
The housekeeping phone rang, the sound echoing off the metal lockers near Gwen. Ashley started to sidestep Gwen to open her locker, but Gwen blocked her.
“No, you are late. I switched the schedule last night. You aren’t on the inpatient wing today. I switched you to clean the cardiac clinic. You needed to be here twenty minutes ago.”
Ashley tried to hide her frown by taking another sip of coffee. It really needed milk—creamer would have been better, but cost too much.
If only she hadn’t used up all her milk last night when she tried that new crepe recipe.
Gwen stared at Ashley, lips pursed and nostrils flaring.
“Can you switch me back to the inpatient clinic?” She held her breath. Any unit in the hospital was better than the cardiac clinic.
Gwen scowled. “If you think you can do a better job managing the housekeeping unit of this hospital, then go ahead and talk to the administration.”
Ashley opened her mouth, then closed it quickly. She’d only give Gwen an excuse to cut her hours if she argued anymore. “Fine. Cardiac clinic? I’ll head right over.”
“If you can’t be here on time, then I can’t count on you anymore. I’ll give your shift to someone else. Someone who is ready to work when they get here.” Gwen gestured at Ashley’s coffee.
“I’m ready. I’ll be on time tomorrow.” Ashley reached past Gwen to her locker and hastily placed her coffee mug and purse inside.
Gwen continued to stare at Ashley. Ashley’s stomach sank as she realized what Gwen wanted.
She gritted her teeth but parted her lips to say, “I’m sorry for being late. It won’t happen again.” Ashley’s face burned as she spat out the words.
Gwen grunted and walked away. Ashley waited until the locker room door shut behind Gwen, then sat on the bench and allowed herself a few last sips of coffee. The last dredges were barely warm, but every last ounce of caffeine would help today.
She would definitely have to buy milk on the way home from work. Not a large one, just a small container to get through the next week until payday.
On second thought, maybe she should get used to drinking coffee without milk. If she did get accepted to graduate school for social work, she would have to cut down on expenses even more than she already did. She had enough saved in her bank account, with the help of massive student loans, if she could manage to tighten her belt even more.
Gwen’s voice floated through the door of the locker room. Ashley jumped and slammed her locker door shut. She still needed all the work hours Gwen would allow her, and that meant staying on Gwen’s good side.
Ashley slipped out the back exit of the locker room, feet heavy and muscles already aching from the thought of spending the day in the cardiac clinic.