Praise for Robin Gianna:

‘If you’re looking for a story sweet but exciting, characters loving but cautious, a fan of Medicals or looking for a story to try to see if you like the medical genre, CHANGED BY HIS SON’S SMILE is the story for you! I would never have guessed Robin is a debut author: the story flowed brilliantly, the dialogue was believable and I was thoroughly engaged in the medical dramas.’

—Contemporary Romance Reviews

After completing a degree in journalism, working in the advertising industry, then becoming a stay-at-home mum, ROBIN GIANNA had what she calls her mid-life awakening. She decided she wanted to write the romance novels she’d loved since her teens, and embarked on that quest by joining RWA, Central Ohio Fiction Writers, and working hard at learning the craft.

She loves sharing the journey with her characters, helping them through obstacles and problems to find their own happily-ever-afters. When not writing, Robin likes to create in her kitchen, dig in the dirt, and enjoy life with her tolerant husband, three great kids, drooling bulldog and grouchy Siamese cat.

To learn more about her work visit her website: www.robingianna.com

Flirting With Dr Off-Limits
Robin Gianna

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Dear Reader

Have you ever been tempted by something you know might not be the wisest choice for you? That second piece of chocolate cake, or a few extra Lottery tickets for that big jackpot, or maybe an item you want to buy but can’t afford?

My heroine in this book, Katy Pappas, hero-worshipped her older brother’s best friend Alec Armstrong. Until he disappointed her—twice—and she wrote him off. Now that she’s graduated from medical school Katy has taken a job as a student intern at a hospital in beautiful San Diego, California. The same hospital where her brother and Alec both work as surgeons. As she begins to see the Alec she once believed him to be Katy finds herself drawn to him again. Except he’s her teacher, and a relationship between them is strictly forbidden. Should she give in to temptation, risking her heart to a man with a past? A man who also happens to be completely off-limits?

Alec Armstrong made a mistake in his life he’s determined not to repeat. Until Katy shows up and turns that conviction upside down. Risking his heart isn’t the problem for Alec—but risking both their careers most definitely is!

I hope you enjoy Alec and Katy’s story. Drop me a line through my website, www.robingianna.com, or on my Robin Gianna Facebook page. I’d love to hear from you!

Robin

This one’s for you, Meta, as you well know!

Whether I just need your great advice or I’m seriously panicking, you’re always there for me. I can’t thank you enough for that. You’re the best! xoxo

Acknowledgements

A huge thank you to my agent, Cori Deyoe of Three Seas Literary Agency, for pulling me from the fires with this one. I so appreciate your tremendous help and steadfast encouragement.

Another big thank you to my editor, Laurie Johnson, for the wonderful suggestions to pull this book together, and for your patience and support. I truly appreciate it.

Table of Contents

Cover

Praise for Robin Gianna:

About the Author

Title Page

Dear Reader

Dedication

Acknowledgements

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Copyright

CHAPTER ONE

KATHERINE PAPPAS HOPED with all her heart that she’d been abducted by aliens. And that an extraterrestrial scientific experiment had sucked her brain dry.

After all, she’d much rather believe that the blankness of her mind throughout the night had been due to interplanetary interference and not because she’d just plain forgotten everything she’d ever learned in medical school. Exactly three weeks after she’d graduated. With a new job as a first-year intern at the same well-respected hospital as her hotshot surgeon brother.

Katy sucked in a calming breath. You know this stuff. Just quit with the nerves and do the job you’ve been dreaming of doing forever. She moved into a corner so no one, hopefully, would notice her until she felt ready to head to the first patient’s room for morning rounds. After wiping her sweaty hands on her scrubs, she began to organize cards on each patient she’d be seeing that morning,

The shrill sound of her phone made her nearly jump out of her skin, and her stomach somehow both sank and knotted as she answered. The words that had been so wonderful to say just a week ago seemed to stick in her throat and choke her. “Dr. Pappas.”

“Paging Dr. Katherine Pappas, world’s best surgical intern on her way to becoming world’s best family practice physician. Is she available?”

Hearing the voice of her closest friend in med school, Rachel Egan, made Katy relax and even conjure a small grin. “Dr. Pappas is available, except more likely she’s on her way to becoming the first intern booted out of Oceancrest Community Hospital only hours after arriving.”

“Uh-oh,” Rachel said. “Bad night on call?”

“The nurses are probably referring to me as Dr. Dolittle. As in do very little.” She sighed. “All night when they asked me questions, the right answer seemed to take a minute to percolate in my brain. I was sure I could do this, but now I’m worried.”

“You’re being ridiculous. Who had a straight four-point GPA in both undergrad and med school, like any human can do that? Who got the Alpha Omega Alpha award when we graduated? You’re brilliant, Katy, and you’re the only one who doesn’t realize it.”

“Then why doesn’t the perfect answer pop instantly into my ‘brilliant’ brain?”

“Because we’re nervous newbies, that’s why. We crossed that med-school finish line, and all of a sudden we have the word ‘Doctor’ in front of our names and have to answer to it. Who wouldn’t be scared? I know I am.”

“Really? You are?” Rachel had always been the calm and confident student, the one who’d earned smiles and praise from professors and attending physicians for her cool and collected demeanor. In stark contrast to Katy’s often ruffled one.

“Heck, yes, I am! I wish we’d ended up training at the same hospital. Maybe we’d both feel less freaked out if we had each other to lean on.”

“I know. But you’re happy to be back in your hometown, and I’m thrilled to be in San Diego. Plus I think it’s good that I moved in with Nick. He’s going through a hard time right now.”

“Still pretty depressed about his divorce, huh?”

“Actually, the divorce isn’t final yet. But, yeah, he’s very glum compared to his usual self.” Katy didn’t know what had gone wrong in her brother’s marriage, but it was sad that, after just a year, it hadn’t worked out. She wished she could blame his wife, Meredith, except Katy had always liked her a lot—and, as the saying went, it took two to tango. Whatever their problems, both of them had probably contributed to them.

“It’ll be good for him to have you there, I’m sure, though I hope nobody gossips about favoritism since you’re his sister.”

Favoritism? Katy hadn’t even thought about that, and hopefully no one else would either.

“So, tell me—”

Katy’s hospital call system buzzed and her belly tightened. “Gotta go, Rachel.” She punched the button and swallowed hard before she tried to talk. “Dr. Pappas.”

“Mrs. Patterson’s potassium is at three point zero, and I need to know what you want me to do.”

Okay, so that was low. She should order a potassium IV—probably four mil. No, wait. Maybe she should give it orally? A nervous laugh bubbled up in her throat as she wondered how the nurse would react if she prescribed a banana to bring up the patient’s potassium.

She swallowed. “You know, I’ll have to call you right back.”

“Are you serious?” the nurse said in an annoyed and condescending tone. “Fine. I’ll be waiting.”

“Okay.” Katy’s face burned as she turned off her phone and wiped her hands, which were somehow sweaty and icy cold at the same time, on her scrubs again. She fumbled in her pocket for her Scut Monkey book. Rachel made fun of her that she infinitely preferred using it over trying to look things up on the internet. But her little book had helped her more than once, and she was determined to get this right.

Katy gnawed her lip and studied the little book. Based on the patient’s age, weight, and kidney function, it looked like she was right. Four ml potassium to drink would be the safest, most effective approach. Okay, good. As she tried to call the nurse back she dropped her phone on the hard floor, sending the plastic cover soaring across the room.

She groaned as she grabbed up the phone, relieved to see it was still working. Klutzy Katy. Why had she been plagued with some pitiful clumsiness gene, and why did it get worse when she was nervous? Graceful under fire she was not.

She called the nurses’ station, surprised that a different nurse answered to take the oral potassium order. How many staff worked in this hospital? The number must be mind-boggling.

Right, time to get to rounds!

The patient card on the top of her pile read “Angela Roberts, Room 1073.” She went to knock on the door, pausing to inhale a deep breath. This was it! Seeing her very first patient in person as a real doctor! Yes, she’d inherited all of them from the resident who’d already seen them, but still. The thought was nerve-racking but thrilling, too, and a big, spontaneous smile came on her face.

“Hello, Mrs. Roberts. I’m Dr. Pappas, your intern. How are you feeling?”

“I’m all right, dear. Wishing they could figure out my spells so I can get the gall-bladder surgery over with.”

“We’re working hard to figure that out.” She warmed her stethoscope against her palm before examining the woman. “We’re in the process of ruling out things like seizures or transient ischemic attacks, which are little mini-strokes.”

“Strokes? I’m sure I would know if I’d had a stroke, dear.”

“TIAs are so tiny you might not notice.” Katy smiled, her chest a little buoyant as she thought about this puzzle they were solving.

“Well,” Mrs. Roberts said, waving her hand, “I trust Dr. Armstrong to know what he’s doing. Whatever he figures out is right, I’m sure. He’s a lovely man.”

Katy felt her smile slip and she forced it back up, at the same time avoiding rolling her eyes. “No doubt Dr. Armstrong is an excellent surgeon.”

And excellent at other things, too. Like giving fake excuses for not being with someone—breaking hearts in the process—then turning around and doing exactly that with someone else. Like having inappropriate hospital affairs that got other people fired. Fooling everyone who used to think he was wonderful in every way.

The old embarrassment and anger filled her chest again when she thought of how many years she’d hero-worshipped the man who didn’t deserve it.

“And handsome! So good looking, like a doctor on TV. I’m sure a young thing like you can hardly resist a handsome surgeon like Dr. Armstrong.”

“He’s my superior here at the hospital, Mrs. Roberts.” Long ago, she’d agreed. She’d thought everything about him gorgeous—his football-player physique, his warm amber eyes, his thick dark hair. Funny and smart, with a teasing grin that was irresistible.

But no more. A man had to be beautiful on the inside as well as the outside to appeal to her. Not that she appealed to him anyway, which he’d made abundantly clear.

“I’m feeling a little tired.” The woman snuggled down into her bed as Katy continued her examination. “Can you come back later?”

“I’m almost done for now, Mrs. Roberts. May I pull your sheet down a little? I just want to take a listen to your belly.”

Katy glanced up when she didn’t respond and was startled to see that her head had lolled to one side of the pillow, her mouth slack and her eyes closed. Had she fallen asleep, just like that?

“Mrs. Roberts?” Katy’s heart sped up and she spoke louder, shaking the woman’s shoulder. “Mrs. Roberts?”

The monitor the patient was hooked up to began to screech and Katy looked at the screen. Her oxygen level was dangerously low, but there was no change in her heart rate. That couldn’t be right, could it? Quickly, she rubbed her knuckles against Mrs. Roberts’s sternum.

Nothing. No response. Katy put shaky fingers against the woman’s carotid artery. Her pulse was so slow and faint Katy knew this was beyond serious. Heart pounding in her ears now, she leaped up and smacked the red code button on the wall then ran back to the bedside.

“Okay, Katy, you’ve got this,” she said out loud to herself as her mind spun through the advanced cardiac life support protocol she’d finished during orientation just yesterday. “It’s as easy as ABC, right? Airway, breathing, circulation.”

Her own breath seriously short and choppy, she shoved the pillows from the bed to get Mrs. Roberts lying flat and lifted her chin to open her airway. The woman’s chest still barely moved.

Damn it! Katy knew she had to get a bag valve mask on her immediately, then noticed the EKG wires had been disconnected, probably when she’d gone to the bathroom. Stay calm here, you know what to do, she reminded herself, sucking in a deep breath to keep from fainting along with Mrs. Roberts.

Fumbling with the equipment, she managed to stay focused as two nurses ran into the room. “We need to get her back on the monitor. I need to bag her. Can you get me a bag valve mask? And another IV.” She could practically smell their alarm and forced down her own. Do not panic, Katy. This woman’s life could depend on you.

The loud sound of a cart rumbling down the hall and into the room made Katy sag in relief. The cavalry had arrived.

“Give me the patient’s history,” a guy said, as he moved from the crash cart to the head of the bed, quickly getting a bag on Mrs. Roberts to provide the oxygen she desperately needed. He was probably from the ICU team, but Katy wasn’t about to waste time asking questions.

“Patient is eighty-two, with cholecystitis, her surgery is on hold until she’s medically cleared by Cardiology.” Katy gulped as she stared at the still-unresponsive Mrs. Roberts and forged on. “She was talking to me and just kind of collapsed. She has fainting spells and we’re trying to figure out why.”

She stared at the monitor as the ICU guy attached the last EKG lead. Involuntarily, Katy let out a little stressed cry when she saw the heart rate was alarmingly slow at only thirty-five beats per minute. “Sinus bradycardia,” she said. “Atropine point five milligrams and we need pads for transcutaneous pacing.”

Had all that really come right out of her mouth? No time to give herself a pat on the back as the ICU guy barked to the nurse, “Get Cardiology on the line. You, Doctor, get her paced as I intubate.”

Katy blinked and a touch of panic welled in her chest that she resolutely tamped down. He’d just called her “Doctor”. She was part of this team, which would hopefully save this woman’s life. Concentrating intently on getting the pads placed amid a flurry of activity by the nurses, she didn’t even notice the tall, broad form that came to stand next to her.

“I’ll take over now,” a familiar deep voice said. “Good job, Dr. Pappas.”

Alec Armstrong brushed past her as she moved to one side, allowing him to deliver the electricity to Mrs. Roberts’s heart. Katy stood there, stunned, her hands now shaking like a tambourine. Beyond glad it wasn’t her trying to get the pacing finished and giving orders to the nurses.

Which wasn’t the right attitude, she scolded herself, since she wanted to be a doctor—was a doctor. But, dang it, how many newbies had to deal with their very first patient coding on them?

She watched Alec work, and couldn’t help but notice how different he was, and yet somehow the same as when she’d known him years ago. As a boy and teen, he’d practically lived in their house as Nick’s best friend. While he’d been as fun and adventurous as anybody she’d known, he’d always become calm and focused when there had been an important task at hand, his eyes intent, just like they were now. His hands moved swiftly and efficiently, as they had during all the crazy science experiments they’d done together. All the times he and Nick had worked on projects with her, teasing about her endless quest to learn new things and solve weird problems.

Her hero-worship of Alec was over. But the moment that thought came into her head, as she watched him work, she knew it wasn’t true. How could she not admire how capably he dealt with a critical situation? But she didn’t have to like him as a person to admire how good he was as a doctor and doubtless as a surgeon.

In a short time the frantic flurry of activity was over and the ICU guy began to wheel Mrs. Roberts from the room. As he left, he said over his shoulder, “I’ll dictate my procedure note. You got the code note?”

“I’ve got it,” Katy and Alec said at the same time. Their eyes met, his the amused, warm amber she remembered so well, and she felt her face flush. How could she have thought the guy was talking to her when attending surgeon extraordinaire Alec Armstrong had taken over?

“So, Katy-Did.” His lips curved as he folded his arms across his chest. “What the hell did you do to my patient to make her code like that?”

“Please call me Katherine or Katy. I’m not a kid anymore,” she said with dignity. Which he should know after her ill-advised behavior at her brother James’s wedding five years ago. Her cheeks burned hotter at the memory.

“Fine, Dr. Katherine Pappas.” His smile broadened, showing his white teeth. “How did you almost kill her?”

“I didn’t almost kill her, and you know it. I didn’t do anything.” Katy’s voice rose to practically a squeak on the last word and she cleared her throat, forcing herself to sound somewhat professional. “I was talking with her and giving her an exam, and she just fainted. I think she probably has sick sinus syndrome, which is why she’s sometimes fine and other times faints.”

“Do you, now?” He laughed. Actually laughed, and Katy felt her face heat again, but this time in annoyance.

“Yes, I do. I may be a total newbie, but I’m allowed to give my opinion, aren’t I? Isn’t it part of my training to form an opinion, even if it’s wrong?”

“It is. And you are. Right, I mean, not wrong. And why am I not surprised that on your first day you’ve figured out this woman’s likely diagnosis?” He stepped closer, touching his fingertip to her forehead and giving it a few little taps. “Some things never change, and one of them is that amazing, analytical brain of yours.”

Some things never changed? Wasn’t that the unfortunate truth? In spite of him making clear he had no interest in her as a woman, in spite of everything she knew about the kind of man he was, being so close to Alec made her breath a little short, which irritated her even more. How was it possible that the deepest corners of her brain still clung to the youthful crush she used to have? But being on Dr. Playboy’s teaching service for the next month would most definitely squelch the final remnants of that for good. She was sure of it.

His fingertip slipped to her temple then dropped away. “Teaching rounds begin in an hour. Not too many people get to brag about dealing with a code on their very first day.” That crooked grin stayed on his mouth as he gave her a little wink. “You did great. Welcome to Oceancrest, Katy-Did.”

He turned and walked from the room, and she found herself staring at his back. Noticing that his thick dark hair was slightly longer than the last time she’d seen him. Noticing how unbelievably great his butt looked in those scrubs, how his shoulders filled every inch of the green fabric.

Noticing how horribly unkempt she herself looked at that moment. She looked down at her own wrinkled scrubs before she glanced in Mrs. Roberts’s bathroom mirror at circles under her eyes the size of an IV bag. Ridiculously messy hair that had been finger-combed at best and now looked like it had been tamed by an eggbeater. Sleeping in the on-call room—if you could call the few hours her eyes had been closed sleeping—did not exactly lend itself to looking pulled together and rested.

She sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. Why did it have to be that the first time Alec saw her at the hospital, she looked like a wreck?

And why did she care, anyway? The man was a player through and through.

Never would Alec have guessed he’d someday have Katy Pappas on his surgical teaching service. The cute but clumsy little girl who’d bugged the hell out of him and her brother Nick when they’d been young, tagging along on their adventures and asking nonstop questions, for some reason believing they’d know the answers.

The worshipful gaze of her blue eyes had always made his chest puff up a little with pride. Despite how much he and Nick had complained about her hanging out with them, he’d always secretly liked it when she had. That someone had thought he was smart and worthy of that kind of adulation had felt damned good, since it had been in very short supply in his own home.

The nonstop criticism his father had doled out had made Alec want to live up—or down—to his father’s expectations of him. He’d worked as hard at partying as he had at football, and probably the only reason he hadn’t gone down in flames had been because he’d had the steady support of the Pappas family, and Dr. George Pappas in particular.

After he and Nick had headed off to college and medical school, he hadn’t seen the Pappas clan again until five years ago at a family wedding. Gobsmacked that Katy, awkwardly geeky child and studious teenager, had morphed into a drop-dead gorgeous twenty-one-year-old woman, he remembered standing stock-still, staring at her in disbelief. Shocked that he’d found her attractive in a way that was not at all brotherly.

He’d been even more shocked when, standing in a quiet corner at the reception, a champagne-tipsy Katy had grabbed his face between her hands and pressed her mouth to his. A mouth so warm and soft and delectable that every synapse in his brain had short-circuited and he’d found himself kissing her back. Their lips had parted and tongues had danced as he’d sunk deeply into the mind-boggling pleasure of it.

Then sanity had returned and he’d practically pushed her away, horrified. No way could he have anything like that with Katy Pappas, little sister of his best friend. She was totally off-limits. Period.

He’d tried to make a joke of it. Katy, however, hadn’t thought it was remotely amusing when he’d told her he didn’t feel that way about her, and that it would be all wrong if he did.

If she’d been pressed closer against him, she would have known part of that statement was a lie. But appropriate? Hell, no.

He sighed. From that moment on his friendship with Katy had been pretty much over. She’d been cool at other family functions since then. Aloof, even.

Alec had shoved down his feelings of disappointment that she was no longer the Katy who’d thought he was great. Hell, after the mess he’d made of some things in his life, he shouldn’t expect anyone to feel that way.

Then he’d walked into the coding patient’s room and seen her, wrinkled, messy, and nervous. Beautifully messy and nervous, yes, but so much like the Katy he’d once known he hadn’t been able to help but want that old friendship back.

And just like the old Katy, in the midst of all the chaos she’d still shown what a brainiac she was. That she was good at figuring out what to do in any circumstances, despite being brand new at the art and science of doctoring.

Maybe it was absurd, pathetic even, but he wanted to see again the Katy who used to like and admire him, who had tolerated and even enjoyed his teasing.

Alec remembered well the feel of her lips against his. But a woman like her no doubt had so many boyfriends that a little kiss five years ago would have been completely forgotten.

CHAPTER TWO

AS ALEC STRODE down the hall, he could see the residents and interns waiting for him at the end of it, but his gaze stuck fast on Katy.

She’d changed into street clothes and a lab coat, and had obviously found a minute to brush her hair, which was no longer in a tangle but instead covered her shoulders in lustrous waves. He remembered that thick hair of hers always falling into her eyes and face as they’d studied things together, and he’d gotten into the habit of tucking its softness behind her ears so she’d been able to see whatever he and Nick had been showing her.

Her hands waving around as she spoke—another thing that was such a part of who she was—Katy was talking intently to the young man next to her, a frown creasing her brows, which made Alec smile. If he had to guess, she was regaling the other new intern with details about some condition or patient she was wondering about, because that brain of hers never rested.

“Good morning, everyone. I’m Dr. Alec Armstrong, as most of you know.” He forced his attention from Katy to look at the young man she was speaking with. “You must be Michael Coffman, one of our new interns. We’re glad you’re here. Please tell us about yourself.”

“I’m going into general surgery, planning to specialize in urology.”

“Excellent. Our other intern here is Katy Pappas.” He smiled at her, but she just gave a small nod in return. “Tell us about your intended specialty.”

“I’m going into family practice medicine. I really enjoyed working with all kinds of people during med school.” She looked at the group around her and her expression warmed. “Older folks and little ones and everybody in between. Figuring out what their medical problems are, when sometimes it can be a bit of a mystery, fascinates me. Knowing I’m helping individuals and families alike. I’m going to love doing that kind of work.”

She spoke fast, her blue eyes now sparkling with the enthusiasm he remembered from their childhood whenever she had been tackling a puzzle or been deep into a science project, and his own smile grew.

“I’m glad you’ve discovered your calling. Figuring that out is sometimes the hardest part of medical school.” He found himself wanting to keep looking at her, wanting to hear her speak and see her smile, but he made himself turn to the rest of the group.

“So let’s continue our introductions. This is our fifth-year surgical resident, Elizabeth Stark, who performed some of the surgeries on the patients we’ll see this morning. You met our second-year surgical resident, Todd Eiterman, this morning on work rounds.”

Alec finished the spiel he always gave new interns, hoping they actually listened. “Beyond the nuts and bolts of diagnosis and surgery I want to teach you how to talk to people, to ask questions and listen carefully to the answers, which is the only way to truly learn their histories. Conclude what you think the working diagnosis might be then order tests based on those conclusions.”

“Excuse me, Dr. Armstrong, but last month Dr. Hillenbrand said the opposite, so I’m confused,” Todd, the second-year resident, said with a frown. “I thought we were to order tests then, based on those tests, come up with a working diagnosis.”

“Technology is an amazing thing, Todd. But it can’t replace hands-on doctoring, which is the single most important thing I want you to learn on my rotation.” Alec studied the expressions on the faces before him. Smug understanding from Elizabeth, who’d heard it more times from him than she wanted to, he was sure, and also liked to play suck-up to the doctor evaluating her. Skepticism from Todd. Bewilderment and confusion from Michael. And avid concentration and focus from Katy’s big blue eyes, which made him wish he could pin a gold star on her before rounds had even begun.

The thought sent his gaze to the lapels of her coat and the V of smooth, golden skin showing above her silky blouse, and he quickly shifted his attention to Todd. She was his student, damn it. And perhaps someday again his friend. But thinking of her as a very attractive woman? An absolute no-no.

“We’ll be seeing patients who had surgery the past couple of days,” he continued, keeping his eyes off Katy. “But first we’ll see Mrs. Patterson, on whom tests were run yesterday. I know you’ve made your work rounds, so a lot of what I’m going to say will be a repeat of what you already know.”

Alec led the way toward Helen Patterson’s room with the group of students following behind. Katy was closest to him, and her light, fresh scent seemed to waft to him, around him, pleasing his nostrils so much he picked up the pace to put another foot or so between them.

What kind of doctor was distracted by someone’s sex appeal while in the middle of work? Not the kind of doctor he demanded he be, that was for sure. Not the kind of doctor he’d been at one time, long ago when he’d been younger and stupid.

“Dr. Pappas, will you tell me about this patient from your work rounds this morning?”

“This is Mrs. Helen Patterson, and she has been in a rehabilitation nursing facility for one week, post-op after surgery for a broken hip,” Katy said. “She was admitted here yesterday for abdominal pain and referred to the surgery service. She had low blood pressure and her lactate was elevated.”

Katy licked her lips nervously, and Alec yanked his gaze away from them. He tried to simply listen and not notice the serious blue of her eyes as she spoke. “We ordered a CT scan of her belly, and there was no evidence of perforation in the bowel or appendicitis. We observed her overnight, gave her IV fluids and pain meds and she has spontaneously improved. We’ve determined that she has a mild case of ischemic colitis. She had a normal breakfast, and her physical exam is normal, so she can be released today.”

Her expression was both pleased and slightly anxious, and Alec hoped he wouldn’t have to remind her about the low potassium he’d read about in Mrs. Patterson’s chart, and that the repeat potassium was still slightly low. “And?”

“And her potassium was low this morning, but I gave orders that brought it up.”

“Except that those orders were all wrong, Dr. Pappas,” Elizabeth said. She had on her usual superior smirk that Alec had tried, with limited success, to get her to tone down when talking to less-experienced students. “You gave her forty mils to drink, which is way too much to give orally. How did you expect someone to drink that amount? I can only imagine how nasty it tasted to poor Mrs. Patterson. No surprise that she vomited it up and had to be given some intravenously to replace it.”

Katy’s smile froze, and all color seeped from her face, then surged back to fill her light olive skin with a deep rose flush. “What …? I … Oh. Oh, no! I didn’t order forty mil. I ordered four ml!”

“Really?” Elizabeth raised her eyebrows. “Nurses sometimes mishear an order, but it’s still your responsibility—”

To Alec’s shock, Katy turned and tore into the patient’s room, and he quickly followed. What in the world was she doing?

She slid to the side of the patient’s bed and reached for the woman’s hand. Katy’s expression was the absolute picture of remorse. “Helen, I didn’t know it was my fault you got sick to your stomach this morning. I feel terrible! I guess the nurse misheard me and gave you way too much to drink. That’s why you vomited. I’m so, so sorry.”

Alec was torn between being impressed that she instantly took responsibility for what technically wasn’t her mistake, and concern that the patient might get angry and let loose on her. He stood next to Katy, placed his hand on her back to let her know he was there to support her. “It’s unfortunate that orders get confused sometimes, Mrs. Patterson. You’re feeling okay now, though, aren’t you?”

“Yes, it was just an upset stomach. Don’t be angry with dear, lovely Dr. Pappas, now. She’s such a good doctor. Everyone makes mistakes once in a while.”

Dear, lovely Dr. Pappas? Alec smiled in relief. Obviously, the woman liked Katy and wasn’t going to create a stink about the error. He glanced at the residents standing at the end of the bed and almost laughed at the variety of expressions on their faces. Michael was wide-eyed, Todd scowling, and Elizabeth fuming. Having been raked over the proverbial coals often during their training, the two more experienced doctors had obviously been hoping for the same for Katy.

“I’m glad you’re feeling better.” He looked at Katy and, luckily, she understood that he wanted her to stop holding the woman’s hand and stand next to him in a more professional manner.

“Helen, as you can see, I have some interns and residents here with me this morning. Is it all right if they stay while we talk?”

“Of course, that’s fine.”

“Thank you.” He proceeded to ask her questions and explain tests that were run, while palpating her abdomen and listening to her heart and lungs. In the midst of it she held up her hand and interrupted.

“Wait a minute.” Helen frowned at him. “First, why don’t you warm up that stethoscope before you press it on my skin, like Dr. Pappas always does? That thing is cold!” She shifted her attention to Katy. “And why is he asking me the same things you asked me already, dear? Don’t you two talk to each other?”

Katy laughed a little, and glanced at him with a smile in her eyes that felt like old times, making him smile, too. “It’s just how it’s done when we’re being taught by the attending physician, Helen. I know it’s kind of annoying but Dr. Armstrong is an amazing surgeon. I promise you’re in good hands.”

How absurd that her words, which were just to reassure the patient, made him almost feel like puffing up his chest just like the teen Alec who’d always appreciated her faith in him. Helen nodded and waved her hand. “Fine. Carry on.”

“I appreciate the endorsement, Dr. Pappas.” Alec could hear warmth creeping into his voice as he spoke and concentrated on cooling it. On sounding professional and impartial.

Katherine Pappas was his best friend’s little sister and his own student. He had to make sure no one thought they saw any kind of favoritism in the way he interacted with her.

The term “bone-tired” took on a whole new meaning after all-night call with minimal sleep followed by a long day of rounding and scut work. Katy thought she’d worked long and hard in med school, but that had been a veritable party compared to this.

As she stepped through the front door into Nick’s living room, he emerged from the kitchen. “Katy-Did, you’re finally home! You look beat.”

“Now, there’s a surprise. I’m sure I look every bit as hot, sweaty, and wrinkled as I feel.”

“Living hot, sweaty, and wrinkled is an intern’s existence pretty much. Sometimes it’s a general surgeon’s existence, too.” Nick grinned. “I knew you’d be exhausted, so I’m fixing dinner. You don’t have to do a thing.”

“Aw, you’re the sweetest big brother anyone could ever have.” She gave him a quick hug, hoping she didn’t smell too bad. “What are we eating?”

“Steaks from the grill, baked potatoes, veggies. To celebrate your first day, and because you probably need iron and protein after practically twenty-four hours of work. How did it go, rounding with Alec?”

“He’s a good teacher, of course. I’m sure I’ll learn a lot from him.” She dropped into a chair in Nick’s living room because she thought her legs just might give out if she was on her feet another minute. “But you know how I feel about him personally.”

“Katy.” Her brother’s smile faded. “Alec is a good guy, and I regret that I ever told you what happened. Yes, he went through a hellion stage when there was too much partying and too many of the wrong kinds of women in his life, but that was a long time ago. You need to cut him some slack.”

“Why? He’s not the person I thought he was. I’m allowed to be bothered by that, aren’t I?”

“You thought he was cool and smart and cared about other people. You liked him because he treated you great. And that’s exactly who he is, along with older and wiser than he was back then. Hell, I’m still working on the older and wiser part.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to be unpleasant or anything. I just don’t want to be friends with him again, that’s all.”

“Well, that’s too bad. Just remember he’s still my friend. And a partner in my practice.” He frowned at her for a moment then sighed. “You never really knew that Alec’s dad was always putting him down, and I think that’s part of why he acted out some back then. But for a long time now he’s worked hard to gain respect. It’s important to him. While he never did get it from his dad, he has it in spades from everyone here.”

“I’m sure he’s a good doctor, so of course people respect him.”

“It’s more than that, but I’m not going to waste my breath trying to convince you.” He turned toward the kitchen. “I’m going to get the steaks on the grill and play with the dogs out in the yard. I’ll let you know when it’s ready.”

He disappeared, and she stayed slumped in the chair, closing her eyes. Which made ignoring the mess of stuff she’d left lying around the room, still packed and unorganized, much easier. She knew she should work on it right now since Nick was being so sweet about letting her live with him for a while, but she also knew he was happy to let her rest a moment.

Much as he’d teased her over the years, Nick had been good to her, too. All six of the Pappas kids were, in fact, close, which Katy was more than thankful for. As an only child, she knew Alec had never had a sibling that he fought with sometimes but who also always had his back, and she knew that had been a big part of why he’d been at their house so much. Her mother had welcomed him, and her dad had adored and mentored him.

Which was why learning of his unethical and distasteful behavior had cut Katy to her very core. Not only that, Alec’s parents had shoved what he’d done under a rug then wrapped it up with a nice tidy bow while someone else had paid the price.

Ah, who was she kidding? It hadn’t been just his mistake and the aftermath that remained stuck as a sharp barb in her soul. It was that he’d done it all practically right after she’d boldly kissed him and he’d pushed her away. Told her it wouldn’t be “appropriate.” Which obviously had just been another way of saying, I think of you as a little sister, not a woman, since “appropriate” clearly hadn’t entered his mind before the scandal.

Her chest burned in embarrassment and disgust but at the same time she couldn’t deny that the man was an impressive doctor and teacher. And, yes, even more ridiculously good looking than he’d been years ago. Today, in Mrs. Patterson’s room, as they’d smiled together at the woman’s comments, she had to admit it had felt nice. A little like old times, and thoughts of his past had momentarily faded from her brain until she’d sternly reminded herself.

She was smart enough to take advantage of his intelligence and experience and learn what she could from him, just as she had long ago. But as far as a friendship happening between them again? Never.

The doorbell rang and, still collapsed in the chair, she nearly groaned. The last thing she wanted to do was talk to anyone. Maybe if she ignored it, whoever it was would go away.

The bell rang again and with a resigned sigh she shoved herself from the chair and forced herself to open the door.

To her shock, Alec stood there, looking annoyingly handsome in jeans and a yellow polo shirt that showed off his broad shoulders. Sunglasses covered his eyes. The evening sun gleamed in his dark hair and his admittedly attractive lips were curved in a smile that no doubt had women flocking around him like seagulls. And yet again she looked like she’d been through the heavy-duty wash cycle and hung out to dry.

What was Alec doing here?

“Hello, Dr. Armstrong. What can I do for you?”

His dark eyebrows rose as he slipped off his sunglasses. “Oh, so formal. What happened to the old ‘Hi Alec, come on in’ you used to greet me with?”

How was she supposed to answer that? She wanted to say that had been back when she’d been young and naive and worn rose-colored glasses, but there was no point in going there. “I wasn’t sure if I should call you Alec, as you’re an attending and I’m a student.”

“It’s fine for you to call me Alec when we’re not in the hospital. Unless you particularly like guys in scrubs and want to call me ‘Doctor.’” The teasing grin he gave her was downright dazzling, and she turned away from its power, opening the door fully as she doubted he’d stopped by just to say hello then leave.

“Funny. Though perhaps you’re saying that because I know that you particularly like women in scrubs. Or, even more, in nothing at all.”

Crap, had she actually just said that? Her cheeks burned and she couldn’t figure out what part of the room to focus on, because she sure as heck wasn’t going to look at him now. She quickly walked over to the pile of stuff she’d pulled out of a box and left on the sofa yesterday.

“Katy Pappas, I’m shocked that you—”

“Sorry the place is a bit of a mess,” she interrupted, the deeply amused rumble of his voice making her blush all over again. She did not want to hear whatever he’d been about to say in response to her extremely ill-advised comment. She grabbed up her things and shoved them back in the box. “I haven’t had time to put away all my stuff yet.”

“Don’t worry, I saw the housekeeping police are busy a few blocks away. I think you’re safe until tomorrow.”

His voice still held laughter and she focused on the box. Not. Going. To look at him. “As you can see, I haven’t had a chance to change my clothes. Excuse me while—”

Excited woofs drowned out her words as Nick’s two yellow Labrador retrievers bounded through the house to greet Alec, slamming against Katy and nearly knocking her off her feet. “Whoa!” she yelped, her tired legs not quite balancing the way they should. Before she tumbled to the floor Alec lunged to grab her and hold her upright, flattening her tight against him.

Her hands slapped up against his muscular shoulders as the feel of his firm chest against her breasts, his strong arms around her sent her breathing haywire. Their eyes met, and the grin faded from his, replaced by what looked like a slightly confused frown.

The seconds ticked by and both stood motionless, oddly frozen, until Katy grabbed what wits she had left. She pushed against his shoulders and stepped back as his arms dropped to his sides, but their gazes remained locked. The tingling of her nerves and the imprint of his body that she could still feel against her own must be some sort of “muscle memory” thing, from the years she’d written in her journal about how much she wanted to be held close by Alec.

“I see you still have a little clumsiness problem.”

Her gaze moved from the oddly disturbing eye contact to his lips, which disturbed her in a different way. She looked down at the dogs for a distraction. “I don’t think being knocked into by these crazy pups of his makes me clumsy,” she said, hoping she didn’t sound as breathless as she felt. The dogs wagged their tails and rubbed against her for attention, leaving dog hair all over her black skirt. As if she wasn’t already enough of a mess. “Nick can’t have much company—they’ve acted like this every time someone comes to the door. If they hadn’t been outside, we would have been mauled the second you came in.”

“They’re still young and rambunctious.” He looked oddly serious, considering his teasing of just a moment ago. “And in case you don’t remember, your dogs pretty much all acted this way at your family’s house. I remember your mutt, Buddy, chewing up one of my shoes that I’d left at the door.”

She looked up at him as she scratched the dogs’ heads. “You had to put up with a lot at our house, didn’t you? Utter chaos, with six crazy kids and badly behaved dogs.”

“I think the term would be bedlam.” The smile was back on his face, and why she was pleased to see it again she wasn’t sure. “But I enjoyed every minute of the time I spent with Nick. And you. And the rest of your family, of course.”

“You two sitting out there, socializing, with your feet up?” Nick’s voice called from the kitchen. “Katy has the night off, but you don’t, Alec. I need a hand here.”

“Coming in a sec. Just realized I left the wine I brought in the car.” His index finger reached out to give her nose a gentle flick, a soft stroke from between her brows to its tip as he’d done more times than she could possibly count, but the expression in his eyes seemed different than in the past. Hotter, more intimate, somehow, and her heart stupidly sped up in response.

Thankfully, he turned and went back out the door, and Katy sucked in a breath. She would not allow her old, youthful crush to muscle its way in and crowd out her older, smarter self. No way, no how.

She moved toward the kitchen, resolutely passing by the hallway to her bedroom with barely a longing glance. She hadn’t planned to do anything more than wash her hands for dinner and refused to give in to her sudden urge to clean up a little and change her clothes. Maybe it would even be a good thing, she thought as she shook her head at herself, if Alec noticed she didn’t exactly smell perfume fresh.

“Why didn’t you tell me you’d invited Alec for dinner?” she asked Nick in a whisper, even though she hadn’t heard the man come back into the house.

“Because he’s my best friend, and I didn’t realize until tonight that you still felt such animosity toward him.” Her brother glanced at her before he turned his attention back to the dinner. “Which I frankly hope you’ll get over.”

“No animosity. As I told you, I just don’t want to be friends with him anymore.” And her darned shortness of breath and flippity heart and awareness of his hunkiness quotient was far different from feelings of friendship anyway, dang it. Which made it even more important that they not be together anywhere but at work until her smart brain prevailed over her not-so-smart one. “But obviously, since he’s my instructor for the month, I’m perfectly fine with spending work time with him. I just would’ve appreciated a heads-up.”

“Okay. Hey, Katy-Did.” Nick turned to her, the evil big-brother smile on his face she was more than used to. “Alec’s coming over for dinner.”

She rolled her eyes. “Thanks for telling me. If I’d known it wasn’t just the two of us, I wouldn’t have dressed up in my nicest clothes.”

As Nick chuckled in response, Alec’s voice filled the kitchen, followed by his tall, broad form. “You look good in whatever you’re wearing, Katy.”

She looked up at his eyes that were all golden and warm again, accompanied by a beautiful smile that seemed absurdly sincere, since she knew she couldn’t look much more of a wreck if she tried. Why did the darned man have to have the kind of charm that made it all too easy to overlook his not-charming characteristics?

“Thank you.” She busied herself with getting the food together, despite both men’s protests that she was supposed to be off duty. In short order, they were sitting at the small table, holding crystal glasses and lit, to her touched surprise, with candles.

“To Dr. Katherine Pappas,” Nick said, holding up his glass of red wine. “Congratulations on finishing med school with honors and for living through your first day as an intern.”

“Cheers to that,” Alec said, his focus so entirely on her it was unnerving. “We always knew you were special, and you’ve proved it over and over again.”

Special? And here she’d thought it had been her domain to think of Alec that way when they’d been young. “Thank you. And here’s hoping I don’t do anything stupid to embarrass you in rounds over the next month.”

“You could never do anything to embarrass me, Katy, and that’s a fact. I’m more than sure you’re going to make me look good.”

As if he needed her to make him look good.

They all sipped their drinks, and Katy wasn’t sure if it was the wine slipping down her throat that made her chest feel so warm or something else. Something like Alec talking about the faith he had in her, as he had so many times in the past.

Despite it being just the three of them, their meal together brought a welcome feeling of normalcy. Almost like the years hadn’t passed and Alec was just hanging out with the Pappas clan for dinner. Except those times would never come again. Her and Nick’s father was gone, and Alec was not the knight in shining armor she’d painted him to be.

“I was called in to help with a rough surgery today,” Nick said. “Bob Rollins had a teen girl with a torsion in her ovary, and when he opened her up she was a total mess. Had to bring in another gynecologist and me to dive in there with him to identify and try to save her entire reproductive system. So remember, Katy, don’t be surprised if some surgeries turn out to be completely different than you expect.” He gave her a pointed look. “Just like people.”

It didn’t take a genius to know what he was saying. “I’ll remember.”

Nick turned to Alec. “What time is your flight next weekend?”

“For the wedding? Nine a.m., I think.”

“You were able to take time off even though you’re doing teaching rounds?” Katy hoped she didn’t sound as dismayed as she felt, but she wasn’t excited about trying to keep her distance from him at another family event.

“You bet.” A grin slowly creased his cheeks. “Maybe you can help me with my marginal Greek dancing skills.”

She stared into his amused eyes then shook her head. Holding his hand in more ways than one? There had been a time when she’d have loved to. “You fake it well, Alec. You don’t need anyone’s help with that.”

CHAPTER THREE

ALEC WONDERED WHY Katy’s expression had become strained, just as he still wondered why she seemed so cool toward him. Surely she wasn’t still upset about their little kiss from five years ago?

Then there’d be a brief moment when she was more like the old Katy he used to know. He couldn’t deny that he wanted to see more of that Katy, who used to think he was great. Why did he miss her former adulation when he was no longer the troubled kid he used to be?

“Are your parents coming to the wedding?” Nick asked.

“I doubt it. They’re both still in Russia while Dad teaches how to do his valve-replacement technique there.” And he’d be just as glad to not have his father there, grilling him on his life and telling him his surgical work wasn’t as important as a cardiologist’s.

“I figured you’d have to work,” Katy said, “so I hadn’t even thought about you coming.”

And didn’t that make his ego feel great? Though the way she’d been toward him the past times he’d seen her at family get-togethers had shown she no longer thought of him much, period. “Are you really going to make me fake again that I can Greek-dance?” Alec asked, which earned him a small smile from her.

“Nick’s the master dancer. He can teach you.”

“Never did me much good in the past.” It was pretty obvious Katy didn’t want to teach him, which gave him a twinge of disappointment. He remembered well the times he’d watched her lead the dancing, mesmerized by her movements and her joyful smile. “What time are you two flying out?”

“Nick has us leaving at some crazy time, like six a.m.,” Katy said with a scowl. “As though I’m not already getting zero sleep.”

“Think of your lack of sleep as a rite of passage. Kind of like hazing in a fraternity,” Nick said with a grin.

“Mr. Empathy, as usual,” she said, punching her brother none too gently on the arm. Nick raised both fists, jabbing them in the air back at her.

“Okay, you two.” Alec shook his head but at the same time he had to chuckle. Some things never changed. And when it came to the Pappas family, not changing was the best thing in the world, as far as Alec was concerned. “Truthfully, though, the more hours you’re in the hospital, Katy, the more you’re exposed to all different kinds of cases that are invaluable for learning. The time schedules aren’t just for torture.”

“I know, I know. I’ll try to remember that in the midst of my zombie state tomorrow. I doubt we interns will even be able to stay awake for the after-work welcome dinner with the teaching staff,” she said. Her tone might be grumbling, but those blue eyes of hers were lit with the enthusiasm and wonder he’d seen in them, and had always enjoyed, forever. She turned her beautifully lethal gaze on Nick. “Does it sound silly to say I’m really excited to be one of … of you now? A real doctor, like Dad?”

George Pappas. Alec’s chest grew a little heavy, thinking of the man who’d been more of a father to him than his own. Knowing how hard it had been on every one of the man’s family when he’d died. And on himself too, despite not being a real member of the Pappas tribe.

“Your dad would be proud of you.” He reached for her soft hand and squeezed it. “He was proud of each one of you, but I think he had a special place in his heart for his youngest.”

Tears filled her eyes, and he kicked himself. The last thing he wanted to do was make her sad. Then she smiled through the tears, and the jab of guilt eased.

“Thank you. I know I don’t have much experience yet—that I have a crazy amount to learn. But I think you’re right. I think he would be proud that I’m at least trying.”

Trying? The Katy Pappas he knew never tried. She worked until she accomplished whatever damned goal she’d set for herself, from the most simple to the most difficult.

“There’s no question about that, Katy,” Nick said, his voice a little rough. “Here’s another toast to you for always making him proud.”

“To you, Katy.” Alec raised his glass to hers. Maybe it was because she couldn’t see too well through the tears in her eyes, but for whatever reason, as she tried to clink her glass to his, she completely missed. And managed to toss most of her glass of wine straight onto his lap.

“Oh! I’m so sorry, Alec!” Katy leaped from her seat, grabbing her napkin to dab vigorously at the wine staining the bottom of his shirt, moving down to dab even harder at the biggest pool of liquid in a place he didn’t want her dabbing.

Or maybe he did, because seeing her hands on his groin, feeling them pressing against him, shortened his breath, stepped up the beat of his heart and invited an instant physical response he couldn’t control.

“Let me handle it, Katy,” he said, firmly grabbing her wrist before she could feel exactly what was happening to him and embarrass them both.

“But the stain is setting, and—Oh!” Suddenly her motions stilled and her widening eyes met his. Obviously, his body’s response to her hands all over him was plenty clear.

“Yeah. ‘Oh.’” What else could he say? Except maybe, Touch me some more, please.

“Katy, having you around sure livens things up.” Laughing, Nick headed to the kitchen. “I’ll get a wet towel.”

‘I’m … sorry. Really sorry. So, so sorry.” Her face was nearly as red as the wine, and she stood staring at him as though she was frozen.

“It’s okay. Really.” He should be sorry, too. Sorry that she felt embarrassed, sorry that his clothes might be ruined, and sorry that his body had responded the way it had. In spite of all that, though, he found he didn’t feel sorry at all. In fact, his primary feeling at the moment was wishing the two of them were alone so he could strip off his wet clothes and see if that led anywhere good.

As soon as the thought came, the heat that had surged throughout his body was quickly replaced by ice, and he wanted to pummel some sense into himself. Not only was Katy Nick’s little sister, she was his student, damn it. He absolutely could not think of her in that way, ever, despite the fact that, right now, he clearly was. But that was not acceptable. Not under any circumstances, but especially while he was her superior at the hospital.

He’d already tried to blow up his own career with that kind of mistake, and had succeeded all too well in blowing up someone else’s. The last thing he wanted was to lose the respect he’d tried so hard to regain since his stupidity of the past.

And risking Katy’s career and reputation with the same kind of stupidity? Never.

* * *

Had she really rubbed her hands all around and pressed down on Alec’s privates?

Katy walked down the hospital corridor, face burning as she thought about the reality that, yes, she sure had. Even worse, she now knew something she hadn’t before. Which was that he apparently became aroused easily and was more than well endowed.

Long ago, she’d fantasized about—well—all of that. But she knew last night’s impressive reaction had had nothing to do with her. Lots of men might respond that way to any woman fondling them, inadvertently or not. And since Alec had gone through girlfriends in high school like a patient with a bad cold went through tissues, she shouldn’t be surprised he was one of them.

What was a surprise had been her own reaction. That in addition to feeling beyond embarrassed, she’d also found herself fascinated by the swelling beneath those jeans of his. As though she was some innocent kid and not a grown woman. She was quite sure Alec’s swelling—and what a ridiculous way for her, a doctor, to be thinking of his erection—was no more impressive than any other man’s. Well, she wasn’t sure, but she no longer had any desire to find out. Did. Not.

For the tenth time that morning she shoved down thoughts of any and all of Alec’s body parts and headed to her next patient’s room. “Good morning, Helen!” Katy stepped to Mrs. Patterson’s bedside and patted her thin shoulder. “Ready to go home?”

“I wish I could. But I’m heading back to rehab at the nursing home until I’m stronger.”

“I know. But you’re going to be out of there before you know it.” She took her stethoscope from her neck and pressed the bell to her palm to warm it before she placed it against the woman’s chest. “Do you have someone to help take care of you when you’re home?”

“My daughter’s coming for a bit after I’m home. Today, though, my son is taking me back to rehab.”

“That’s good.” The woman didn’t look too excited about that, but who would be? “I know it’s not much fun doing rehab, but knowing it’s going to make you independent again makes it worth it.”

“I don’t mind it, really. The nurses and physical therapists are lovely. But all this has been very depressing.” Helen sighed. “Until I broke my hip, I was pretty strong and walked my little dogs every day. Now I feel just awful with this stomach pain. It’s enough to make me want to move on to heaven to be with my Albert.”

The sadness and frustration on the poor woman’s face squeezed Katy’s heart. She wrapped her arm around Helen’s shoulders to give her a hug. “I can imagine how hard it is to feel weak and not well when you’re used to being up and about. But your tests don’t show any problems, so I bet you’re going to be feeling good again soon. Hang in there.” A tall, skinny man with long hair knocked on the doorjamb, which surprised Katy. It couldn’t be any later than seven a.m. “Can I come in?”

“Hello, Jeffrey.” Helen shifted her gaze from the man to Katy. “Dr. Pappas, this is my son. Jeffrey, this is Dr. Pappas. She’s been taking good care of me.”

“Thanks for that,” Jeffrey said, then came to stand between Katy and his mother, rather rudely. “Mom, I need a little cash to fix my car. Can you front me a loan? I brought your checkbook.”

“I just gave you money for your car last week.” Helen frowned, but took the checkbook he handed her.

“I know, but there’s something else wrong now, so I’ve been driving yours. I’ll pay you back soon.”

“This has to be the last time. My medical bills are adding up.” Helen scribbled out a check. “Please remember I need you to pick me up whenever I’m released today.”

“Okay. Call me.” He dropped a quick kiss on her forehead and headed out the door. Katy couldn’t believe he hadn’t even asked his sweet mother how she was feeling.

She squeezed Mrs. Patterson’s hand one more time. “If I don’t see you again before you’re released, I hope you’re back to walking your pups very soon.”

Katy left the room and looked at her patient notes. Next was a seven-year-old boy named David, who’d had a complication when his appendix had ruptured. Alec had done the surgery nearly a week before Katy had arrived, but the poor child still had a drain in his belly.

About to knock quietly on David’s door in case he was still asleep, she was surprised to hear the deep rumble of a man’s voice. Then was even more surprised to see Alec in scrubs, sitting on the side of the boy’s bed. What was he doing, seeing a patient so early?

She shoved aside the discomfort that again heated her cheeks. She had to see the man every day, for heaven’s sake, and he’d probably forgotten all about the little fondling incident. “Good morning, Dr. Armstrong. You’re an early bird today.”

“I wanted to stop in and see our star patient before I start morning surgery.” He stood and smiled down at David. “The drain’s looking good, buddy. We just might be able to take it out in a day or two.”

“I can’t wait!” David grinned, showing a missing tooth. “But I’m feeling lots better, Dr. Armstrong. Thanks for the car stuff you brought me. Will you come back and see me later?”

“I’ll try, David.” He tousled the boy’s hair and turned to leave, and his sweet expression and the warmth in his eyes made Katy’s breath catch in her throat.

Had she ever seen him around children before? Except back when she’d been a child? She couldn’t remember, but it seemed he was pretty good with them. His surgery schedule was so heavy she couldn’t imagine he’d be able to come back to see the child later, not to mention that the welcome dinner was tonight, but it was nice of him to tell the boy he’d try.

“I’ve checked David out, so you don’t need to, Dr. Pappas.” They moved to the shadow of the doorway where he paused. “What patient are you seeing next?”

They stood so close together she could smell his aftershave, see a tiny spot next to his lips that he’d missed when shaving, feel the heat of his body near hers. Unwittingly, her thoughts turned to touching him the night before, and she started to feel overly warm. From embarrassment, of course.

“Mr. Lyons in 2215.”

“Better watch out you don’t spill anything on him. Mr. Lyons can be quite a character.”

Lord, she’d hoped he wouldn’t mention it again. Even in the low light of the room she could see the amused glint in his eyes. His lips tipped up into a slow smile, and she found herself staring at his mouth. Swallowing, she took a step away from him so she could breathe. “Can we please just forget about that? You know I sometimes have a clumsiness problem.”

“I’ll try to forget about it. But you know what, Dr. Pappas? I’m pretty sure that’s not going to happen.”

He left the room and she sucked in a breath. Their exchange had smacked dangerously of flirting, and she shouldn’t let that happen. Also shouldn’t enjoy it, but she’d be lying to herself if she claimed she hadn’t.

About to head to her next patient’s room, Katy realized she’d been so distracted she hadn’t thought to ask Alec to sign Mr. Lyons’ release papers. What was wrong with her? Work had to be her number-one focus, dang it.

She hurried down the hall to catch Alec, wishing their last conversation hadn’t been about her grabbing his privates. His tall figure stood by an elevator, and she stepped up her pace. “Dr. Armstrong!”

He turned to her, and his gaze swept her slowly from head to toe. Feeling a little breathless from hurrying, she stopped next to him. “I forgot to ask you to sign Mr. Lyons’ release papers.”

She looked up at him, his eyes meeting hers for a long moment before he reached for the papers. “And I forgot to ask you if you’re excited about helping with some surgeries in a few days. I’ve put you first on the list.”

“Is that an honor, or is it because you want me in and out of there before I kill someone?”

“We try not to let interns kill anybody. It’s against hospital policy.”

So were some other things he hadn’t worried about in the past. But, of course, he was joking. “I confess I’m not excited. But I’m sure it will be an interesting experience.”

“It will be. Especially for you, Miss Science. Weren’t you always the one conducting various weird experiments on the kitchen counter until your mom yelled at you?”

“Is this your way of calling me a geek? I—” Her phone beeped a text message and she looked at it then frowned. This couldn’t be right.

“What is it?”

“The nurse says Mrs. Levitz is having a panic attack. Shortness of breath, chest pain, and a fast heartbeat.”

“She’s the one who had her gall bladder removed by Nick yesterday, right?” Alec asked, his teasing expression instantly replaced by calm professionalism. “Her chart said she’s prone to panic attacks. Prescribe lorazepam and see how she does.”

Katy frowned up at Alec. “I don’t know. I left her only a short time ago and she was fine. Looking forward to being discharged. I just don’t see her having a panic attack right now.”

“Since she has a history of them, most likely that’s what it is. You’ll see this more often than you would guess.” His eyes were thoughtful, seeming to study her. “But sometimes it’s important to listen to your instincts. Go see her. Let Nick know your conclusion and what your thoughts are on what needs to be done.”

“Okay. I will. Thanks.” She turned and her chest felt suddenly buoyant. How could it not when Alec had basically just told her he had faith in her to figure it out? She had a ridiculous impulse to look over her shoulder to see if he still stood there and was surprised that he was. Not just standing there but holding the elevator door open with his eyes still on her.

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