CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR – COUPLE GOALS

Later that day, Joan was organizing files when she spotted Tom again, this time hurrying out of Dr. Green's office when she was sure Dr. Green was in a meeting. Frowning, she approached him. "Tom? What were you doing in Dr. Green's office?" Tom's eyes widened for a split second before he composed himself. "Oh, just dropping off some paperwork. Why?" Joan hesitated. "It's just... I could have sworn Dr. Green was in a meeting right now." Tom let out a laugh that sounded slightly forced. "Come on, Joan. You think I'm up to something nefarious? I've been working here longer than you've been in school. Sometimes, we senior staff have to handle things behind the scenes to keep this place running smoothly." Joan felt her cheeks heat up with embarrassment. "Of course, I didn't mean to imply... I'm sorry, Tom. I guess I'm still learning how things work around here." Tom's smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "No worries, kiddo. Just focus on your patients and leave the administrative stuff