Page 38 of Playing Doctor

People rose from their chairs, exchanged handshakes and introductions with Gabe and exited the conference room. His scent reached her just seconds before he did. Beth drew in a breath, filled her lungs with him. How could this be? She stood, took a breath, and turned.

“…And lastly, this is Beth Roberts, our nursing manager of the ER. The three of us will meet later in the week and get your take on the construction project for the expansion. You two will be working together with the architect on the layout, bouncing ideas off each other…”

Gabe’s smile softened as she slid her palm across his. Although his grin was a little too wide for two professionals meeting for the first time, no one seemed to notice as they shuffled out of the room and off to their prospective departments. She couldn’t believe he was here, in her hospital, and they would be working together. Her stomach took a low dip on the emotional roller coaster she was riding today. Less than an hour ago, they had agreed to start seeing each other. Well, they certainly would be, it seemed, but in a professional sense.

Of all the hospitals in all the towns, he walked into hers. Was her life a classic movie or what? Following up on a fling was a lot different than having an affair with a coworker. She studied his face, expecting to see the surprise and confusion bombarding her reflected back, but his eyes held the same determination as when he’d crossed the lawn and parked himself at her table at the wedding.

The shock of realization hit her full force. He’d known this was her hospital, that she’d be here, and he hadn’t mentioned it when they’d spoken on the phone. Conflicting emotions assailed her from every direction. Joy. Uncertainty. The gnawing pain of a lie by omission.

This could not be happening. Not now. Not when she’d just worked up the confidence to attempt a relationship with him. Every fiber in Beth’s body yearned to run to him, say, to hell with whatever reason brought him here, even as she struggled with the uncertainty squeezing her heart.

First things first, and right now she had to get through this moment as gracefully as possible.

“It’s nice to meet you, Dr. North. I hope you’ll be happy working with us here at Ridgemount.” She struggled to maintain an even, unaffected tone, but her voice came out a little tremulous, a bit on the husky side. He hesitated only a second before picking up on her cue to keep the fact that they’d already met to themselves. His fingers tightened around hers, just enough to reassure her they were on the same track…and send a sizzle of heat up her arm.

“Thank you, I’m sure I will be.” His eyes bore into hers, confident and sure. Trust me. The command was there, as surely as if he’d spoken it aloud. A flicker of hope sparked in her heart.

The persistent chirp of the CEO’s pager pulled Beth back to the moment. She tugged her hand from Gabe’s, curled her fingers into a loose fist, and let it drop to her side.

Brad clipped the pager back on his belt and glanced at his watch. With a grimace, he turned to Beth. “I have a conference call waiting. Would you mind orienting Gabe to the ER and then show him his office?” He took a set of keys out of his slacks pocket, handed them to Gabe, and shook his hand again. “Good to have you aboard, Gabe. I leave you in very capable hands.” His phone rang again as he walked through the door, leaving it open for Beth and Gabe to follow him out.

Questions continued to buzz through Beth’s head until she was dizzy with them. Staring up into Gabe’s soft brown eyes, Beth struggled to comprehend the turn of events. “I’m sorry, but I’m having a little trouble with what just played out. What are you doing here?”

“I’m your new medical director,” he said, giving her another hormone-scrambling smile.

Cursing those weak-assed hormones for turning her knees to jelly, Beth cut Gabe a don’t-give-me-any-shit look. “I’m not in the mood for jokes.”

The amusement faded from his eyes. Bracing one hand on his hip, Gabe rubbed the back of his neck with the other. “Yeah, I can see that.”

“Why didn’t you tell me you’d taken this position when we spoke earlier?”

“I tried to, but you were interrupted. Besides, I wanted to tell you face-to-face.”

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