Playing Doctor: A Central West End Story Read Free

Something about the way she walked reminded him of someone. He leaned closer to take a second look.
    “How’d you like the apartment?” Gretchen’s voice jerked his attention away from the woman and back into the room.
    “I believe we have a deal. Can you go over deposit requirements and utility costs?”
    “It’s a great Central West End location, I’m sure you’ll love it here.” Gretchen beamed. Troy got the feeling that not all of her long days turned out as positive. “Let’s go down to my office. I have some information there.”
    The three took the elevator to the bottom floor. When the doors opened, a woman stood in the lobby, obviously waiting for someone. When she turned toward the elevator, Troy realized it was the woman from the street. She was even more striking up close sans makeup. He’d always been a sucker for the natural look. No caked on foundation or black as coal eyeliner for this woman.
    “Good evening, may I help you?” Gretchen greeted the woman.
    “I’m here to meet with Robert. I’m signing a lease on 401 tonight.” The woman almost bounced with excitement.
    401? Troy looked at Sara. Wasn’t that the apartment he’d just been shown?
    Gretchen looked flustered. “I’m sorry, Robert didn’t say anything. When did you meet with him?”
    “This morning? I had to go to work after he showed me but he said he could meet me here at seven.” The woman glanced at Gretchen and then to Troy and Sara, a frown crossing her face. “Is he not here? I went to dinner first because he said he couldn’t be here until seven.”
    Troy could hear the woman’s tension rising with her voice. Gretchen was trying to move them into her office and separate the potential renters. Who would win was anyone’s guess but he wasn’t just going to let anyone walk away with his apartment.
    A man hurried into the lobby. “Annie, I’m sorry I was a little late. Is Gretchen helping you out?”
    “Actually, I just got here.” Annie’s shoulders dropped, visibly relaxing as the man came closer.
    “Robert, we need to talk.” Gretchen walked over and dragged the recent arrival to the other side of the lobby.
    Troy couldn’t hear the conversation, but he could tell by the tone of their voices that neither was giving in. He looked at the young woman next to him, dressed in scrubs, which told him she worked at the hospital too. In fact, she looked familiar, but lately with all the hours, anyone looked kind of familiar.
    “I think I just rented the apartment you were shown this morning.” He held his hand out. “Troy Saunders. I’m an intern over at the hospital. You work there?”
    The woman took his hand but Troy could tell she was hesitant. “Annie. Annie Baxter. I’m a nurse.” She glanced over at the two leasing consultants. “I was here first.”
    “And I’m a doctor.” Troy countered. The words were out of his mouth before he could think about the effect. Had he really just pulled the doctor card? He’d been on the floor way too long this week, his nerves were shot.
    “Seriously? You’re pulling rank?” She rolled her eyes. “Sorry dude, but your medical degree doesn’t decide who gets to move in to the apartment.”
    “I want that apartment.” Troy thought about the ease of getting into the hospital from here for on call nights. This location was perfect.
    “I need the apartment. I just sold my car.” Annie shook her head. “Besides, I was here this morning.”
    “You should have signed papers then. Or at least wrote a check for a deposit. Being wishy-washy doesn’t get you anywhere.” Troy glanced at his sister. “Did Gretchen mention someone else was looking at the apartment?”
    Sara glanced between the two. “Leave me out of this. I’m going to go talk to Gretchen. Maybe there is another apartment.”
    “I want that apartment,” Troy called after his sister. Annie stared at him, hatred flaring in her eyes.
    “Just because you’re a doctor and you think I’m beneath