Jami paced the floor, looking at the door than wrestling with the papers she had in her hand. She checked her watch again, realizing his appointment wasn't for another 15 minutes, but she had a sinking feeling he would be early. Or, at least she hoped he would be.
The weekend had went by rather slow, leaving her to her thoughts and to hash over in her own mind what had transpired at the bar between she and Joe. She never wanted to give off the wrong impression and she feared she had done just that. Depending on how their appointment went this morning would tell her exactly what her next moves would be.
"Hey." came a soft, yet husky voice from the doorway. She was completely wrapped up in her own thoughts, she hadn't seen the door open or Joe enter.
"Um, hey." she managed to mutter, before pushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
Before anymore small talk, or any talk of any kind could take place, she offered him a chair and pushed a file in his direction.
"We ran some early blood labs, and we think we are on the right path, thus far. Everything seems to be heading in the right direction. However, it's only been 2 weeks, so we don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves, but this is hopeful news." she said, pulling out a pen and looking in his direction. "So, tell me. How are you feeling? Are you having any complications or symptoms?"
Joe cleared his throat and slowly sat back in his chair. He figured as much that she would want to get straight to business, as if to completely forget what happened just days before. He ran his hands through his long, wet tresses and sighed.
"You know, I didn't come almost 10 minutes early to my appointment to jump straight into this. Besides the fact that I have to live this, it isn't my favorite topic of discussion." he offered with a small smile.
"I'm not meaning to be insensitive or anything. I just figured you would like to know the results we have managed to get this early in the game." she said.
"No, it's not that I don't take this serious, but I think there's an even bigger elephant in the room that we both need to address before we jump to business. Hence the reason I showed up early. I didn't wanna take too much time from the rest of your day or your other patients." he muttered.
He reached forward, in an attempt to grab her fingers that had continually drummed on the tabletop. She jerked suddenly as his larger hand encompassed hers, the simple, yet immediate feel of his skin on hers sending her into a frenzy. Her eyes darted upwards, locking with his, searching for answers in his eyes that she hadn't yet processed in her own mind.
"Joe…." she whispered, before he raised a finger to her lips, silencing her instantly.
"Jami, let me talk, please." he urged. "I know what happened the other night was more forced because of the circumstances than what may have been a more honest moment, if that makes sense. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy it, because I'd being lying if I said I didn't."
"Joe…" she tried again.
"Jami, I like you. I'd be lying again if I said otherwise, and one thing I am not is a liar. If you'll let me…."
"Joe, I didn't mean to cross any sort of line or boundary between you and me. I never meant to give off an impression that I'm not and I never meant to lead you on. I'm sorry." she said, barely above a whisper.
"Jami, look at me." Joe pressured, pushing himself on the edge of his chair.
"Joe…" she sighed, her eyes meeting his. "We can't do this. You're my patient. I am your nurse and I have to keep some level of professionalism in what relationship we do have."
"Jami, do you like me?" Joe asked, his look become more and more intent.
His question hung in the air, for a moment she wasn't able to even utter a response. It was an open-ended question, either answer she would give would have different effects. She didn't have much time to mill over her answer and the consequences of each other, because Joe was showing signs of impatience with each passing second.
"Joe, even if I did, what can actually come of this? I'd have to probably resign from this case, and this is my first profiled case that I've been offered. Who knows if I'd ever get a chance like this again." she replied, trying to reason with him. "My job is to get you better. Joe, I… I… can't." she finished, jerking her hand from his and standing from the table.
"Jami, I'm not asking you to risk your career here. We could be careful and of course, we'd take our time and take things slow. But, to continue on without saying anything to you just feels wrong." Joe fought back, bringing himself from the table and standing in front of her.
"Joe, I'm flattered, but I just can't. I am so sorry for leading you on and crossing lines I never should have crossed. I gave you the wrong impression and for that, I will forever be sorry." Jami said, fighting back tears that were threatening to fall. "You're results from your lab work is in that file and Dr. Smith should be in soon to go over anything further with you. If you'll excuse me…" she said, forcing herself past him and making her way through the door.
"Jami…." he called after her, but it was useless as he watched her walk briskly down the hallway and out of sight.
"Damn it!" Joe sighed, slamming his hands down on the table in frustration.