His Perfect Woman (Harlequin Superromance) by Kay Stockham Page B

That’s all.”
    Unable to go on, Melissa carried the baby the three steps it took to pass her to her mother and then fled the room with a hastily murmured goodbye. Bryan turned and found Joe waiting for his stepson, arms outstretched. Two seconds later Bryan rushed into the hall, barely catching sight of Melissa’s blue blouse as she went around the corner. He jogged after her and followed her into an otherwise empty elevator. “Melissa—”
    â€œDon’t.” She wouldn’t look at him. “I’m fine. I feel like a fool, but I’m fine. Go back to them.”
    â€œNot a chance.” The elevator doors closed and, assured of their privacy, Bryan stepped forward to take her into his arms.

CHAPTER SEVEN
    T HE MOMENT Melissa noticed his approach, she stalked to the opposite side of the elevator. Bryan fought his frustration and settled his butt against the metal bar, arms over his chest. “What happened?”
    Using both trembling hands, she wiped her face and rolled her eyes. “What an idiot. I feel like an absolute idiot! ” She slumped against the elevator wall, her face pale. “This was such a mistake. I shouldn’t have come. Why did you have to insist I come with you?”
    He stepped forward, but she distanced herself again, sliding along the wall to the back of the elevator. “Melissa.”
    â€œLeave it alone, Bryan. Leave me alone or I’ll quit before I ever start work tomorrow morning. I mean it.”
    â€œWhy can’t I hold you? As a friend? ”
    â€œBecause I’m fine!”
    â€œLie to yourself if you can, but don’t lie to me.”
    It dawned on her they weren’t moving, and Melissa slammed her hand against the elevator button. A second later they began the descent to the lobby. “I can’t believe it. What must they think? ”
    â€œI’d say they think you’re upset over holding a baby girl not much smaller than the one you lost. Melissa, they understand that you’re happy for them and yet sad for yourself.”His gaze narrowed when he felt a surprising stab of jealousy once again. “Unless there’s more? Does this have something to do with Joe?”
    Her eyes widened. “What? No!” She shook her head firmly. “No,” she repeated, a glare and her tone lending truth to her words. She groaned again, palms pressed to her forehead. “Joe and I were never really more than friends. We were just too young to realize it at the time.”
    Relief flooded through him. He had no business feeling relief or jealousy or any other emotion where Melissa was concerned, and yet he did. But only because he didn’t want Joe and Ashley’s marriage to be endangered.
    The elevator chimed and the doors began to slide open. Bryan watched Melissa raise her chin and square her shoulders, the tears gone or at least under control. He supposed that’s how she’d managed to survive the cancer, by standing her ground, pride intact, head high and fighting. But in that instant he wanted to fight for her. With her. But how could he do that when, having moved back to town and discovering she battled cancer, he’d neglected to visit her? He’d told himself he was too busy taking over his grandfather’s practice, convinced himself that there had been too many years between visits to still be friends, but he knew none of those were the truth.
    Shaking his head at his own actions, Bryan smothered a groan and followed her out into the lobby. Melissa hadn’t even worked her first official day and already he was in over his head. He could already hear Joe laughing at his dilemma. And threatening to kill him if he stepped out of bounds and hurt Melissa in any way.
    Minutes later Bryan unlocked his car with a bleep of the key-ring control, and they climbed inside. Neither of themspoke until halfway between Taylorsville and Baxter when he turned onto a narrow driveway and