Chapter 5 - The Debt Clara Wouldn’t Accept
Two weeks later, St. Jude’s had new security, Dr. Warren was gone, and investigators had enough evidence to dismantle the network that had been leaking information from the clinic.
Clara thought Luca would disappear.
Instead, he kept appearing.
Coffee at six in the morning.
Dinner delivered during double shifts.
A new pair of sneakers left at the nurses’ station.
She called him immediately.
“Take them back.”
“No.”
“They cost more than my refrigerator.”
“Your refrigerator is terrible.”
“You've seen my refrigerator?”
“Unfortunately.”
“Luca.”
“Wear the shoes.”
She lowered her voice.
“You cannot buy people.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
Silence.
Then he said, “Dinner tonight?”
“No.”
“Tomorrow?”
“No.”
“Saturday?”
Clara smiled despite herself.
“You’re irritating.”
“I’m persistent.”
“Those aren’t synonyms.”
“Saturday?”
She hesitated.
“Coffee.”
“Dinner.”
“Coffee.”
“Fine.”
Saturday became coffee.
Coffee became dinner.
Dinner became conversations neither expected.
Then Luca made a mistake.
He paid Clara’s overdue rent.
She discovered it Monday morning.
She stormed into his townhouse.
“Undo it.”
Luca looked up from his desk.
“Good morning.”
“You paid my landlord.”
“Yes.”
“I told you not to.”
“You were going to be evicted.”
“That was my problem.”
“It didn’t have to be.”
Clara threw an envelope onto his desk.
Inside was every dollar she had managed to save.
“I am not another debt on your books.”
His expression softened.
“You think that’s what this is?”
“I saved you because you were hurt. Not because I wanted a reward.”
“I know.”
“Then stop rewarding me.”
Luca stood.
“What am I supposed to do?”
“Say thank you.”
“I did.”
“Then we're even.”
“No.”
Clara stared at him.
“Why?”
His answer came quietly.
“Because I don’t want to be even.”
The anger left her face.
Luca continued.
“I want a reason to see you tomorrow.”
“You could ask.”
“I’m apparently bad at that.”
“Extremely.”
He stepped closer.
“Then teach me.”
Clara folded her arms.
“Start again.”
Luca hesitated.
“Clara Hayes, would you have dinner with me tomorrow?”
She made him wait.
Then smiled.
“Yes.”
He glanced at the envelope.
“And the rent?”
“You're taking my money.”
Luca sighed.
May you like
“Yes, Nurse.”
“See? You’re learning.”
