Collecting Scars Read Online Free PDF Page A

as I’m sure you are aware.”
    Asha's raised her voice slightly. “That’s bullshit and you know it, Maria. These patients need services now, not in three months’ time and if St Joseph’s can offer it to them when our own services can't then I will continue to send them there.”
    “Calm down,” Maria soothed.
    “No, I will not calm down. I am employed here to advocate for my patients and that’s what I'm doing.”
    Maria stood, leaning over her desk. “I think it's time for you to take a few days off work, you've been working six days a week and you need a break.”
    “Are you firing me?”
    “No,” Maria shook her head. “I just think your over-worked and not thinking clearly.”
    “B-b-but...” Asha tried to argue, but Maria cut her off.
    “Just take the rest of the week off, come back in fresh on Monday.”
    “I don't need time off.”
    “Yes Asha, you do. Take it as rostered days off. It's an order,” she leant in closer. “Do you understand?”
    Asha shook her head, she was angry. She was doing her job. She knew there was no point in arguing any further, so she walked out of Maria's office. Grabbing her handbag from her own office, she quickly shut down her computer and stomped out the door, without even saying good-bye.
     
    ***
     
    “Is that you Jo?” she called out when she heard the door shut an hour later.
    “Well, who else do you think it would be? Are you expecting someone?” Joanie asked leaning against the kitchen door frame.
    Asha was just pouring herself a second glass of wine.
    “We're going out tonight,” she announced standing up from the table.
    Joanie's face lit up. “About time,” she giggled.
    “So...” Asha said running her fingers through her long hair, loosening her braid. “Let's get prettied up.
     

Chapter 4
     
    ASHA WOKE NEXT MORNING WITH a dry mouth and thumping head and as she swung an arm out from under the covers, she hit something hard and unexpected.  She drew in a quick breath and held it. Her stomach flipped, so violently she thought she might throw up.
    “Oh-my-god,” she muttered silently to herself. She closed her eyes tight, hoping she was just in the midst of a vivid dream as she tried to recall the events of last night.
    She and Joanie had left the house and caught a cab to Stella's, the plush little cocktail lounge on Eighth Street. She remembered trying several different cocktails. They'd had Chocolate Martini’s, Blue Island Dreams and Lucky Charms. By that time, they had been well on their way to getting their drunk on and Joanie had suggested they go to the club to see if Xavier was working. Oh no...was it? Dare she chance a peek? Shit...how was she going to explain this one?
    Opening one eye she saw he still had his clothes on, what she could see of him anyway as he had a blanket draped over his waist. A quick self-inventory told her, she still had on...at least her top half. Crap. What else had happened?
    “Good morning gorgeous,” Xavier's sexy masculine voice broke her out of her thoughts. He sounded even sexier in the morning half-asleep was that even possible?
    He must have seen her peeking at him and this was just getting more awkward, no point pretending now. Her headache momentarily forgotten, heat was racing up her body starting at the nape of her neck, she knew she would be turning red.
    “Ah—morning,” she managed to stammer out. “Um, I ah oh god this is embarrassing.” Asha wished she could be anywhere else in the world but here right now. “I think I need the bathroom.”
    She dove out of bed and made a dash for the en suite realising she still had her skirt on, thank goodness for that. In the privacy of her bathroom, Asha stared in the mirror at the mass of tangles her hair was in. Did what she went to do, and then quickly shoved a toothbrush in her mouth. It felt like she had been sucking on lemons or something. Actually, she vaguely remembered something about tequila shots and making lame tequila jokes, which