Melting The Ice Queen's Heart. Amy Ruttan

slammed the binder shut and stood up, perhaps a bit abruptly. “Things.” He set the chart down and headed towards the cafeteria. Maybe grabbing some lunch would clear his head.

      Moira, thankfully, didn’t follow.

      Sure, he’d been harsh with her and, yeah, he had an itch that needed to be scratched, but since the girls had come into his life he had to be more responsible.

      A year ago he would’ve taken Moira up on her offer and then some. As long as she hadn’t wanted anything serious.

      She was attractive.

      Now that he had his nieces, he just couldn’t be that playboy any more. His dating life could be summed up in two words. Cold. Showers.

      In the cafeteria he grabbed a ready-made sandwich and a bottle of water. He was planning to take them outside and get some fresh air when he spotted Virginia on the far side of the cafeteria. It surprised him, as he never saw her in here.

      She was sitting in the corner of the cafeteria at a table for two, but she sat alone. She was reading some kind of medical journal as she picked at a salad.

      The cafeteria was full of other doctors, nurses, interns, but Virginia sat by herself.

      She’s the chief of surgery. The boss.

      The ice queen.

      No one would want to sit with their boss at lunch. They wouldn’t feel comfortable, and he felt sorry for her. She was so young and she didn’t have it easy.

      Just like me.

      He crossed the cafeteria and stopped in front of her. “May I join you, Virginia?”

      She looked startled and glanced up at him. “Of—of course, Dr. Potter. I mean Gavin.”

      Gavin took the seat across from her. “How was your choly?”

      “Routine.” She smiled and his pulse quickened. He liked the way she smiled and especially when it was directed at him, which wasn’t often. “How was the ER?”

      “I think you can guess.”

      “I know. I won’t say it.”

      “I’m trying to work on interpersonal skills, but I’m having a hard time putting faces to names.”

      She cocked an eyebrow. “You don’t seem to have that problem with patients.”

      He nodded. “This is true.”

      “You’re agreeing with me? Amazing.” The twinkle of humor appeared again.

      “You’re mocking me now, aren’t you?”

      Virginia stabbed a cherry tomato. “So what’s the difference between the nurses and the patients?”

      “The patients aren’t all wearing the same kitten patterned scrubs.”

      Virginia chuckled. “Not all the nurses wear kitten scrubs.”

      “Well pink, then.” Gavin snorted. “Always pink.”

      “What do you mean by that?”

      “Nothing.” Gavin didn’t want to talk about his nieces. His private life was just that. It was his and private.

      “What did you do in Africa? How did you remember names there?”

      “It was easy. There were only ten of us at the most at any given time.”

      “It’s a number thing, then.”

      Gavin swallowed the water he had taken a swig of. “There are so many nurses. I think they’re multiplying and replicating in the back somewhere.”

      Virginia laughed. It was a nice one, which made him smile. “Please, don’t tell them you think they’re cloning themselves. You’re a good surgeon, Gavin, and I’d hate to lose you to a pyre they’d light under the spit they’d tie you to.”

      Gavin winked. “I’m trying.”

      “Good.” She leaned forward and he caught the scent of vanilla, warm and homey like a bakery. He loved that smell. Gavin fought the sudden urge to bury his face in her neck and drink the scent in. “I have a secret.”

      “Do tell.”

      “They wear nametags.”

      Gavin rolled his eyes. “Ha-ha. Very funny.”

      Virginia just laughed to herself as she ate her salad. “So, do you have any plans for the weekend?”

      He cringed inwardly and then picked at the label on his bottle of water. “Nothing in particular. Are you off this weekend?”

      “Yes, surprisingly.”

      “And do you have plans?”

      “I do.”

      Gavin waited. “Not going to tell me?”

      “Why should I? You don’t divulge aspects of your personal life.”

      “Touché.” He downed the rest of his water and stood. “I’d better get back to the ER. It was nice chatting with you, Virginia.”

      “And with you, Gavin. I hope the ER remains quiet for you for the rest of the day.”

      A distant wail of an ambulance could be heard through an open window of the cafeteria. Several people raised their heads and listened.

      Gavin groaned. “You had to jinx it, didn’t you?”

      And all that minx did was grin.