ask anyone to take this on pro bono.”
“I wasn’t aware this was an unpaid position. My understanding was that the estágio brought in a stipend. They quoted me a figure.” How was she going to support herself if she didn’t get paid?
“You’re right. It does. You were the only one to apply for the position…” He nodded toward another man in the room that she’d just noticed. That person’s eyes were studiously fixed on some document in front of him. “Did you want me to say no?”
He could have. He could have turned her down flat.
She swallowed. He’d said she was the only one who’d applied for the position. So, was she the only one who had raised her hand when he’d been looking for a sleeping partner at the wedding as well? The thought made her feel physically ill.
Doing her best to choke back the sensation, she drew herself up to her full height. “I guess you said yes.”
“And so did you.” His voice was soft as he said it, his glance studying her in a way that made her tummy ripple.
“Yes, and so did I. I actually thought I’d be working with Dr. Pinheiro, though.” So what if they’d slept together? It wasn’t like she’d had any expectations of that night other than what had happened.
But a motel? She’d never in her life set foot in one of those establishments and if anyone she knew found out…
They hadn’t. She’d crept out early in the morning, while it had still been dark and had asked the desk to call her a taxi, unable to look anyone in the eye. But she’d made it. And the experience had changed her in a way she didn’t quite understand.
She’d gotten over her ex-boyfriend once and for all.
“Marcos is the head of oncology. He signs all the request forms for the department. But this project is all mine.”
That made her swallow. She would be working with him? Only with him? If she had known that ahead of time, she might not have applied.
The other man looked up finally. “Sorry, I wasn’t trying to ignore you. Dr. Texeira has found you a studio apartment in the hospital. Is that okay? Or would you prefer to make other arrangements?”
Like maybe get on the first plane out of here?
“The apartment will be fine, thank you. It doesn’t make sense to try to look for something else. I won’t have to worry about transportation to or from the hospital this way.”
Besides, the rents in many parts of the city were so high she wouldn’t be able to afford it on what she’d be making. And although it was comparable to her salary in Rio Grande do Sul, the amount wouldn’t go nearly as far here. A thought occurred. Would she have to travel to get to wherever they were going to do the screenings?
“Is there a metro that goes from here to the screening site?”
“No. We have a mobile unit. We’ll leave from the hospital together.”
“Leave? Together?” Okay, the way she’d separated the words gave them an entirely different meaning from his simple statement.
If he’d heard it, he ignored it, because he didn’t hesitate with his answer. “The hospital is converting an old ambulance for us. We’ll go to where our patients are, instead of waiting for them to come to us.”
The reality of the situation was creating a buzzing noise in her head. She had been told what the job opportunity was and had jumped at the chance. But then again, she hadn’t known at the time who she would be working with. And if what he was saying was true, they would be working together much more closely than she’d been expecting.
She’d assumed they would bump into each other periodically. Had even steeled herself for that possibility.
Get a grip, Sara! If it were any other doctor you wouldn’t have batted an eyelid.
But it wasn’t. It was Sebastian, a man she’d made passionate love with. Surely the hospital didn’t approve of workplace romances.
The incident had happened before she knew she was coming here, so that didn’t count, right? And since it was never going to happen again, it was a moot point.
And it was never going to happen again, even if Sebastian wanted it to. Although right now he looked all business. It didn’t matter. He might be able to play loose and easy with relationships, but Sara really wasn’t built that way, as was obvious from the way she kept obsessing over the same topic.
“Like you said, that will make it easy, then. I take it you live close by.”
He gave a half-smile. “Close enough.”
And what was that supposed to mean? She had no idea, but the sooner she got away from him the better. “Well, I guess I have some paperwork to fill out?”
“Yes.” He scooped up a file that was on a nearby table. “I have it right here. We can go over it together.”
Perfect. That was all she needed, to have to sit next to him and have him go over things. But she’d better get used to it if she was going to take the job. Because if what he’d told her was true, she was going to be sitting next to him day after day.
Until either the job was done. Or she was.
THE VEHICLE WAS PERFECT. But not too perfect, given where they’d be working.
Once an ambulance, but now painted a cool silver to reflect the fierce Brazilian heat, it was fully outfitted and ready to go. The hospital’s name was not emblazoned on the side, for fear that it would be a target for thieves who were looking for illegal drugs. In fact, there were little nicks in the paintwork and a dent marred one side. A picture of two hands, palms outstretched, was painted in muted colors. Nestled inside them were the words “Mãos Abertos.” The name was fitting since the hospital saw it as opening their hands to those in need. Below the hands was a mobile number that would ring through to a special cellphone that Sebastian would carry. Word would get around quickly about what the old ambulance did, and hopefully it would become a symbol of hope.
“What do you think?” he asked Sara, who stood a few yards away.
“It doesn’t look like a normal ambulance.”
“The hospital didn’t want it to. Besides, I’m hoping to take away some of the stigma—the fear of the unknown that comes with emergency vehicles.”
Like the time his teenaged sister had been hauled off to the hospital in a flurry of red lights and sirens, while he’d been left at home with his ailing grandmother, wondering if he would ever see her again. Her cancer diagnosis had devastated everyone. But she’d pulled through, thank God. It was one of the reasons Sebastian had gone into oncology.
To help people like his sister. He’d always felt that if she’d been diagnosed earlier maybe she wouldn’t have had to have an internal prosthesis in her arm. It was another reason why this mobile unit was his heart’s desire.
“So
