Bachelor Doctor. Barbara Boswell

told me at the time that you’d been observing me in the OR and my experience there was why you—”

      â€œI also checked your academic records, Sheely. I wanted to make sure you were the real thing, the complete package. Knowledge and character supported and enhanced by skill. I had no intention of choosing anything less for my team.”

      â€œOh, that’s me, the complete package.”

      Grabbing a tray, she took her place in the sandwich line. There was a backup at the grill, with only one short-order cook working today, when at least three were needed.

      Knowledge and character supported and enhanced by skill? Trey could very well have been describing Sister Benedicta, the stalwart principal of her old alma mater, Guardian Angels High School.

      Could he make it any plainer? She did not evoke any romantic feelings within him at all. Callie unsparingly faced the truth: her insipid crush on him was even worse than hopeless, it was just plain absurd. Thank heavens nobody knew.

      And then she thought of the glint in Jennifer’s eye in the locker room earlier.

      I am not the type who goes after another woman’s man, Jennifer had said. Hadn’t her expression been just a shade too perceptive?

      Callie flinched, imagining the speculative gossip that might already be spreading via the ever-efficient hospital grapevine. When confronted, would a breezy laugh of denial be enough to counter the rumor, or should she offer some sort of explanation?

      â€œYou are, you know,” Trey said quietly.

      Callie’s train of thought, already derailed by the probability of gossip, wrecked completely as Trey came to stand closely behind her.

      Her senses seemed to take over, making her intensely aware of everything about him. Of the feel of his chest brushing against her back. Of the size and strength of his muscular frame, which seemed to surround her.

      When she inhaled, his scent filled her nostrils with a musky mix of male sweat and pungent, antiseptic OR soap.

      The temptation to lean into him, to press back against the hard heat of his body was so fierce that Callie came dangerously close to giving in to it. To throwing caution and restraint aside and acting on her feelings, showing him that there was more to her than knowledge and character supported and enhanced by skill.

      There was desire and need, and it was all for him. What if she were to take a chance and let him know?

      â€œDr. Weldon.” A male voice sounded behind them.

      Callie jumped and turned her head to see Scott Fritche approaching Trey. Hot color suffused her skin, right down to the tips of her toes. Her head abruptly cleared. She was herself again, and she offered mental thanks that she had not—impulsively and unprofessionally—nestled against Trey. She was horrified by her near lapse in sanity.

      â€œFritche.” Trey frowned at the younger man who’d joined them. “I intended to talk to you sometime today. I suppose now is as good a time as any.”