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

take medicine, but there was no treatment he knew of to stop this disorder, no indicators that would show up on an ultrasound or any other sophisticated machine. Maybe she was right that medicine was the easy part. Because this was damned hard. But he could no longer ignore the fact that she was a desirable woman he couldn’t stop thinking about. The realization twisted him up inside.
    â€œEarth to Gabe.”
    â€œWhat?” He met his friend’s gaze.
    â€œWhy didn’t you tell me Amy’s doctor was such a babe?”
    â€œBecause it didn’t seem relevant. She’s good at what she does and that’s the important thing.”
    â€œRebecca—” Jack waved her over. “Why don’t you join us.”
    She hesitated. “I don’t want to intrude. Besides, I don’t have much time.”
    â€œNeither does Gabe. Keep him company while I run up to the fourth floor and check on the electrical. You can meet me there, buddy.”
    Rebecca looked uncomfortable as she set her tray down. “I don’t want to chase you off.”
    â€œYou’re not.” As he walked away, Jack opened his coat to find a pen, then turned back. He pulled something from his inside jacket pocket. “I just remembered, Gabe, I’ve got plans Saturday night. I can’t use these tickets.”
    â€œJack, I—”
    â€œTake Rebecca.” He dropped the envelope on the table between them. “Gotta go.”
    They both stared at the tickets, then looked at each other. Gabe didn’t know what to say. There was a time when he could have smoothed over something like this without missing a beat. But he was out of practice, and if not for Jack, it wouldn’t be necessary to flex those muscles now.
    â€œYou’ve known him a long time?” Rebecca asked, almost as if she could read his thoughts.
    â€œSince we were ten.”
    â€œAh.” She nodded, then took a bite of salad.
    â€œHe’s not subtle,” Gabe commented.
    â€œNot very, no.” She met his gaze. “Does he try to fix you up often?”
    â€œNo.”
    In fact never. Until now. Jack had always understood him. Until now. But his friend didn’t understand what Gabe had been through. If he did, he’d know that advice to “move forward” was easier to hand out than it was to take.
    â€œThis is awkward.”
    Lifting a shoulder, she said, “Don’t worry about it.”
    Gabe ate the rest of his burger without really tasting it, which was a blessing. Then he looked at her. “I don’t suppose you’d be interested—”
    She shook her head. “Not a good idea.”
    That’s for sure. Note to self, he thought. Get even with Jack.
    â€œSo who’s having a baby?” he asked. “Anyone I know?”
    â€œI don’t think so. And even if you did, I couldn’t tell you. There are those pesky privacy laws,” she said.
    â€œYou’re such a rule follower.”
    â€œSo says mister Type A personality.”
    â€œWhat was your first clue?”
    Her brown eyes warmed with challenge. “You wouldn’t be here making sure everything’s going according to plans, and codes, and specs, oh my.”
    â€œOkay, smart aleck. Chalk up one for you.”
    â€œThank you.” She twisted the plastic cap from her bottle of water and took a drink.
    She pressed her lips together to remove the moisture and the movement twisted up his insides in an entirely different way, a way that had nothing to do with his conflicted feelings and everything to do with lust. A pure and simple yearning to hold her, kiss her until she was fire in his arms, then make love to her.
    He wanted this woman.
    It didn’t make him happy, but he could no longer ignore the fact, either. Apparently, Jack had noticed, too. Gabe could live with this change as long as he didn’t cross the line between wanting her and needing her.
    He picked up