Chapter 49

The next morning,I show up in the office of Matt's secretary, Anita. Anita is a grandmotherly woman who Matt says has been with him since he started.

"I don't know what I'd do without her," he says sometimes.

She dotes on him like he's her son (or grandson). Anita is a favorite among the med students, too, mainly because she always keeps a big bowl of candy on her desk, and we're all hungry. And she smiles a lot.

Anita never has a smile on her face for me though. I'd venture to say she hates me.

When I show up in her office, she practically sneers at me. I'm sure Matt didn't confide in her about the two of us, but she ran into me a couple of times leaving his office, and she suspects something. And clearly, she doesn't approve.

"Hi, Anita," I say, trying to appear as friendly and peppy as possible. I thought about bringing her chocolates but decided it would seem like I'm trying too hard.

"Hello, Rachel," Anita replies, barely looking up from her computer.

"Um, I'm wondering if you can tell me something," I begin, tugging at my T-shirt nervously. "Do you know who is assigned Locker 282?"

Anita still doesn't look up. "No."

"Is there any way to find out?"

"Locker assignments are confidential," Anita snaps at me.

"They are?" I never heard that and wonder if it's true. "Um, do you know when Matt will be here?"

Anita is staring at me. I have no idea why until I realize what I just said. Shit.

"I mean," I say, blushing bright red, "do you know when Dr. Conlon will be here?"

Anita narrows her eyes. "No, I don't."

"Okay, thanks…"

I've lost all interest in finding out about Locker 282 and just want to get the hell out of there. But Anita isn't going to let me get off that easily.

"Miss Bingham," Anita says in a tight voice, "I've worked with Matthew Conlon for many years, and he's a very good professor and a good man. And someday, he'll find a woman who loves him. I think it's downright despicable that you're taking advantage of the fact that he's very lonely right now."

A burst of anger rises inside of me. "You have no idea what you're talking about."

Anita shakes her head. "I never thought I'd see the day when a twenty-two-year-old snot-nosed med student would tell me that I have no idea what I'm talking about. I knew I was right about you, and I've told Matthew as much."

Oh, great. Anita is talking trash about me to Matt. But it won't do much good to fight with Anita. Anita hates me, Patrice hates me. Everyone thinks I'm the worst person in the world for getting involved with Matt. And maybe they're all right.

"I'm sorry I bothered you," I say quietly. "I wish you could understand."

A tiny flash of doubt falls over Anita's face, but it passes quickly. I'm a medical student, and I'm dating my anatomy professor. Nobody is going to understand if this gets out.