Tara could see how lonely the other woman was. “You didn’t say the wrong thing. Did you hear about my episode at the club?”
“You mean how you fainted while doing a scene with Sloan?”
“Yeah.”
“Everyone knows about that,” she said. She looked Tara over. “Is that what’s wrong? You’re sick? Is it cancer? Diabetes? Heart disease?”
“Ahh, no, none of those things.”
“Oh well, that’s good,” Reagan told her.
“Yes, I suppose it is.” Tara had to smile. “The thing is Alex told me that I couldn’t come back to the club without a medical certificate. That’s why I haven’t been back.”
“Well, that makes sense. You’re employed by the club; they’re probably worried you’ll sue them if you’re injured. Get a medical certificate and you can come back.”
“I’ve been really busy at work and I haven’t been able to get to the doctor yet.”
She was also afraid of the possibility that the doctor wouldn’t clear her. She wasn’t feeling any better. She was exhausted. Of course, it didn’t help that Tim had been extra demanding lately. Luckily, she had a company laptop and she could do some of her work from home at night.
“Can’t you ask your boss for some time off?”
She imagined Tim’s face if she said she needed to take some personal time.
“Tim is a workaholic and he can be…ahh…” How could she word this without sounding disloyal? “Well, let’s just say he expects a lot from his employees.”
Reagan frowned. “He should still allow you time off to go to the doctor. Is he taking advantage of you? I know a really good employment lawyer.”
Tara smiled. “You sound very fierce.”
Reagan looked at her seriously. “I like you, Tara. I don’t have many friends. Most people find me too honest, but you’ve always been nice to me. I was kind of hoping we could be friends.”
“I’d like that.” She glanced at her watch, wincing. “I’d better go, Tim will be wondering where I am with his lunch.”
“You’ve got bags under your eyes,” Reagan said bluntly.
“Umm, right.” Tara resisted the urge to go check her make-up in the bathroom.
“You should probably get some rest. You’re very pale.”
“Ahh, anything else you want to add?” Tara asked, bracing herself.
“No, I believe that’s all.”
“I haven’t been sleeping well,” Tara admitted, surprising herself.
“I always sleep better after I’ve been to the club,” Reagan said. “It relaxes me.”
“Me too,” Tara said. “I guess I really need to get that medical certificate.” She stood. “This was nice. We’ll have to do it again.”
“How about next Tuesday?” Reagan quickly suggested. “I could meet you here at the same time.”
“Sure. That sounds great.” It actually did. She had to come here each day to get Tim’s lunch anyway, it would be nice to meet a friend once in a while.
***
“I think you’re anemic. I’m going to order some blood tests to be sure. You’re also clearly exhausted. You need to slow down a bit. A vacation wouldn’t hurt,” the doctor told her.
“But you’ll give me a medical certificate clearing me to work?” Tara didn’t want to tell the lovely, older doctor the real reason she needed the medical certificate.