Case of Desire

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They left the hospital.

Camille and Tamara walked across the street to the restaurant frequented by most of the hospital staff.

“So, you’re still not going to tell me what’s got you so preoccupied?” Tamara asked after they were seated.

Camille smiled at her friend. “I’m fine, really.”

“I hear we have the renowned Maxwell Wade helping the legal department. Have you met him?”

She nodded.

“So what do you think of him?” Tamara inquired.

“I don’t really have an opinion of Mr. Wade,” Camille lied. “I guess we’ll really have to wait and see if he’s as good as everyone says he is.”

“He’s very handsome from what I understand.”

“That seems to be the consensus,” Camille muttered. The last thing she wanted to do was spend her lunch hour discussing the arrogant Maxwell Wade. Changing the subject, she asked, “So have you and Victor decided on a wedding date?”

“We’re still narrowing down dates.”

Camille picked up her menu. “Just so you know …I don’t do pastels.”

Tamara laughed.

While waiting for their food, Camille scanned the dining area. The restaurant was a favorite of hospital employees and as usual it was filled with interns, doctors, nurses and other hospital staff. There were only a few people that she did not recognize.

The restaurant was not only convenient, it was warm and inviting. The soft lighting and beautiful artwork in vivid hues added to its charm. Fresh flowers on the tables welcomed every diner.

“Have you spoken to Terrence since the lawsuit?” Tamara asked in a low voice.

Camille shook her head no. “I thought he would contact me at some point, but he hasn’t.”

When their food arrived, Camille stabbed a fried shrimp and stuck it in her mouth. She loved shrimp.

“All my girl friends are engaged,” she said. “I hope when you and Jaclyn get married, we will still be able to have our monthly girls’ night out.”

“For sure,” Tamara said. “We’re just getting married—not going to prison.”

The two women shared a laugh.

“Seriously, though,” Camille said. “I’m going to be the only single one left.”

“Not for long,” Tamara predicted. She wiped her mouth on the edge of her napkin.

“I don’t know,” Camille responded. “I want a man who will treat me like a queen. I want a man who will adore me, and most of the men I’ve met seem to be lacking in those areas.”

Laughing, Tamara sliced off a piece of grilled catfish, piercing it with her fork.

Camille glanced across the room just as Maxwell and Thomas entered the restaurant.

Tamara turned, following Camille’s gaze. “He’s very handsome.”

She didn’t respond.

“You have to be blind not to notice that man,” Tamara said as she turned her attention back to her meal. “I noticed that he couldn’t seem to take his eyes off you.”

“What are you talking about?” she asked.

Tamara eyed her. “You didn’t notice the way he kept staring at you as he walked to his table?”

Camille shook her head. “He was most likely looking at you. You are more his type than I am.”

“No, I’m pretty sure he was looking at you.”

Shrugging, Camille responded, “It really doesn’t matter. Maxwell and I live in two very different worlds.”

“The thing that bothers me the most about the non-fraternization policy is that Dr. Dudley is a hypocrite,” Thomas was saying.

“What do you mean by that?” Maxwell picked up his menu and began scanning the entrées. He stole a peek over to where Camille was sitting with her friend.

“Dudley is sleeping with one of the staff nurses,”

Thomas announced in a low voice. “Kayla Tsang to be exact.”

Maxwell stiffened in shock. “Do you know this for sure, or is this just another hospital rumor?”

“This is no rumor,” Thomas responded. “I saw them myself one night in his office.”

“Apparently he’s not just having an affair,” Maxwell stated. “I know for a fact that he has been harassing some of the female staff. Just before lunch, an intern came to me upset. She asked me if she could pursue a legal case for harassment against Dudley.” He didn’t mention that the chief had practically attacked Camille the night of Thomas and Lia’s wedding reception.

“Are you serious?”

He nodded. “Yeah. I’m going to have a talk with Dudley this afternoon. It’s time to put a stop to this nonsense.”

Thomas agreed.

As he scanned the menu, Maxwell couldn’t help but glance over at Camille.

“She’s looking for donations for the silent auction,” Thomas told him. “It’s always a huge hit at the hospital charity ball.”

Maxwell smiled. “I might have something to donate.”

“I thought you would,” Thomas responded, a grin on his face. “I have to admit, I’m really surprised that you’d be attracted to Camille. She’s nothing like the other women you’ve dated.”

“I’m a little surprised myself,” Maxwell confessed.

Chapter 5

“I hear that you are looking for donations for the silent auction,” Maxwell stated as he strolled into her office.

Camille tried to keep her pleasure at seeing him from her voice. “I am,” she simply said.

“Well, I’m here to give a donation,” he announced.