Second Time Around by Carol Steward Read Free Book Online

mind off her studies…. It hadn’t worked then, and if he was smart, he wouldn’t bother trying now.
    The wallpaper here was outdated, even by his standards. There wasn’t a plant, flower or photograph in sight. Nothing to indicate a family or a life beyond her career—
    She ended the phone call and looked at him expectantly.
    â€œI don’t think I’ve had the chance to congratulate you, Doctor.”
    â€œCongratulate me?”
    â€œOn your degree.” Kevin touched the rounded desk corner sticking out from under the stacks of books, files and journals.
    â€œOh.” Her green eyes opened wide with surprise. “I never know whether to take you seriously or not.”
    Blast it, lady, don’t look at me like that. I’m trying to be nice. How could one sentence throw him all the way back to the day she’d walked out of his life?
    Emily walked back to the door and closed it. “The last time we discussed my career choice, you were less than encouraging.”
    And now she was back, he thought. Every work-day for the next six months. He had to keep peace between them.
    â€œWhether or not I liked your decision is no longer an issue. I said ‘congratulations,’ and I meant it. It took a lot of work, and you deserve credit for it.”
    Obviously confused, she said merely, “Thank you.” Emily put her hands in the pockets of her yellow blazer and took a deep breath. “Why, Kevin?”
    Same Emily. Right to the point. “Why? I thought the message said, ‘How could you?’” He smiled. “Don’t I get some sort of congratulations for accomplishing my goals?”
    â€œThe way I remember it, your plan was to run your father’s business. In fact, as I recall, that’s why you stayed—and I left. Alone.”
    â€œThings changed. I have my own company now, which just happens to have landed a terrific deal.” The elation inside was fading fast. He hadn’t expected a red-carpet celebration, but even a halfhearted welcome would have been appreciated.
    â€œSo I figured out. Which was the meaning of my message last night. How could you bid on our project?” She stepped around the desk and looked him in the eye, as if trying to intimidate him. “Why this job? Why not some other building project?” she asked with more than a hint of disapproval.
    â€œIt was purely a business decision,” he said,meeting her challenging gaze. Two can play this game, Doc.
    â€œA business decision?” Her voice caught.
    â€œThat’s right, strictly business. Relax. It had nothing to do with you.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets and jingled the change against his truck keys. He wasn’t about to tell her how many times he had almost turned away because of her.
    She ran her fingers through her hair, lifting it away from her face, and he felt his heart skip a beat. Don’t do this, buddy. She’s off-limits. Business and pleasure don’t mix. Remember that, whatever you do!
    â€œSurely there’s another opportunity that would bring in a better profit than ours. As long as this is ‘strictly business,’ that is,” she said tartly. Reaching for the desk, she closed a thick book and placed it on the jam-packed shelves. “How could you do this?”
    Kevin crossed his arms and took a deep breath. “I could do it for the same reason you went across the country to your prestigious medical school. It was the best option available at the time.”
    She stared, a cold look that could build walls in an instant. Her phone rang, and she answered, still holding his gaze. “I’ll be right there,” she said into the receiver. Her eyes left his and she stepped around the desk. “I have an emergency.”
    He nodded, then opened the door and waited for her to go ahead. “Let’s make a deal, Doc. I won’t practice medicine, and you don’t tell me how to