The Millionaire and the M.D. by Teresa Southwick Page A

thoughtfully. “It wasn’t a criticism, my friend. Just an observation.”
    â€œThat sounded brooding. How’s that working for you?”
    â€œIt’s not. Which is just the way I want it.” Gabe heard the edge to his voice.
    â€œThis is me, remember?” Jack said, apparently unfazed. “I loved Hannah, too, but it’s time—”
    â€œDon’t go there,” Gabe said. “I’m not interested in dating.”
    â€œOkay.” Jack put up a hand touching the other palm to his fingers in a T for time out. “I just hate to see you going through the motions. You’re living, but not really living, you know?”
    He knew. “Look, Jack, I—” He stopped when Rebecca stepped out of the elevator and headed for the cafeteria.
    â€œWhat?” Jack said, staring at him, then glancing in the same direction. “Holy Mother of God.”
    â€œBack off, Jack.”
    â€œYou know her?” His friend made no attempt to hide the surprise in his voice.
    â€œShe’s my sister’s doctor.”
    Rebecca was just coming into the cafeteria when she spotted him and did a double take. She hesitated, then walked over to the table. “Hello, Gabe.”
    â€œHi.” When Jack loudly cleared his throat, Gabe said, “This is my partner, Jackson O’Neill.”
    â€œThat’s O’Neill with two L s,” Jack said, extending his hand.
    Rebecca took it and smiled. “Nice to meet you.”
    â€œWhat are you doing here?” Gabe asked, then winced at the lame question. That’s what happened when you didn’t use your social life. Communication skills got rusty. And since when had he started caring about that sort of thing?
    â€œThis is where I work,” she answered wryly.
    â€œI knew that.”
    â€œOne of my patients is in labor,” she explained. “I just wanted to grab a quick bite while I can. It’s late. What are you doing here?”
    â€œI’m building a hospital expansion.”
    â€œI knew that,” she said. “But it’s pretty late. I thought you were more of a nine-to-five guy.”
    â€œThe building inspector is coming tomorrow, and we want to be sure everything is ready,” Jack said.
    â€œThis is a different type of project for the company,” Gabe added.
    â€œWhy?” she asked.
    â€œBecause it’s a hospital, not a hotel,” Gabe said. Being a doctor, she probably already knew this, but he added, “It’s specialized construction. We have to put in pipes for oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrous. Those pipes have to be leak tested and certified before we can close up the walls. The electrical is more complicated because of monitor wires and plugs for emergency power. Every room not only has to be fireproof, it’s critical that dampers shut down and keep smoke from the ventilation system.”
    â€œI see.”
    â€œAnd this is our first project in Las Vegas. Very visible. Our reputation in this town is on the line. We want the inspection to go off without a hitch.”
    â€œNot only that, he’s a little obsessed with work,” Jack explained. “I’ve been trying to slow him down to warp speed, but so far without success.”
    â€œGood luck with that. And the inspection tomorrow.” She glanced between them. “Nice to see you, Gabe.”
    â€œYou, too.”
    She moved away and he stared after her, savoring the seductive scent of her skin, watching the sway of her hips, the slender column of her neck, the way the unflattering fluorescent lighting turned her hair into a golden halo. Jack was right about women. But this woman in particular did something to him. And just like that he wasn’t brooding anymore. Just moments in a room with her and his mood went from zero to off the scale.
    He didn’t like it. Today she lifted his spirits, tomorrow his heart, and that was bad. If it were a disease, he could