Ethan was halfway through a glass of water when Alex walked in.
He shrugged out of his jacket and draped it over the back of a chair like he planned to stay longer than he'd admit.
"You look like someone who's been thinking too much," Alex said.
Ethan snorted. "You always say that."
"And I'm usually right."
Ethan set the glass down, leaned back against his desk. "Claire resigned."
Alex's expression shifted, subtle but immediate. "Effective when?"
"End of the week. She's pregnant."
That got Alex's full attention. He moved closer, resting a hand on the desk. "Didn't see that coming."
"Neither did she, from the way she explained it," Ethan said. "Doctor wants her resting. Her boyfriend wants her home. She looked torn about it, honestly."
Alex nodded once. "So we're filling the position."
"I already started."
Alex raised a brow. "That was fast."
"It had to be," Ethan said. "This place doesn't breathe properly without that role handled right."
