Free 0373659504 (R) by Brenda Harlen Page B

on,” he admitted glumly.
    “Avery?” Nate prompted, sounding intrigued.
    “Avery Wallace.” Justin shook his head. “I need to get her out of my mind.”
    “This conversation just got a lot more interesting.”
    “Except that Avery’s made it clear she’s not interested.”
    “And you, of course, look at that as a challenge.”
    “Maybe. Partly,” he acknowledged. “But it’s more than that.”
    “Is it?”
    “I think I could really fall for her—and she won’t even go out with me.”
    Nate chuckled. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I know this isn’t funny to you. But after having seen so many women fall at your feet for so many years, it’s refreshing to learn that there are still some females who are immune to your considerable charms.”
    “I’m glad you find this amusing,” Justin grumbled.
    “I can laugh now, because I’ve been in your shoes,” his cousin admitted. “Allison had all kinds of reasons for not wanting to get involved with me—even before I was her boss.”
    “Really?”
    “Really,” Nate confirmed.
    “What changed her mind?”
    “I think it was the chicken soup.”
    “Huh?”
    His cousin grinned. “Long story. Let’s just say that some women need to be convinced that a man has staying power—that he’ll stick around through good times and bad, in sickness and in health.”
    “And you managed to do all of that with chicken soup?” he asked skeptically.
    “I think it was what the soup symbolized more than the bowl of broth and noodles itself,” Nate told him.
    “How am I supposed to show Avery that I want to stick around when she keeps pushing me away?”
    “That’s a dilemma,” his cousin acknowledged. “And before you commit to any course of action, you need to decide if she’s worth it.”
    Justin didn’t need to think about it. “She’s definitely worth it.”
    * * *
    The Sixth Annual Storybook Ball—named to reflect both its fantasy theme and the fact that the proceeds benefitted the children’s wing of Mercy Hospital—was held annually on the last Saturday in January. It was their biggest fund-raiser of the year and all doctors were invited and encouraged to attend, to mingle with patrons, talk to them about the work that was being done at the hospital and how past donations had been used to benefit their young patients, and explain why their support was needed now.
    A handful of staff were always on hand to greet the guests as they arrived, and Avery had planned to be one of them this year—her support of the cause overrode her usual inclination to avoid formal events. Unfortunately, a complicated delivery put her behind schedule so that by the time she got home, showered and dressed for the event, she’d missed dinner. In fact, she was just sliding into her assigned seat as dessert was being eaten and coffee was being served.
    No one asked any questions about her tardiness—they all understood that a career in medicine often caused scheduling conflicts with other events. Dr. Terrence, seated beside her, nudged his untouched strawberry shortcake toward her, offering a second dessert to compensate for the other four courses she’d missed. She gave him a grateful smile. The table of ten was rounded out by an accountant and her husband, a software designer and his wife, and a couple of prominent local business owners and their respective spouses.
    As a result of her late arrival, it wasn’t until after the coffee service was over that Avery realized Justin was in attendance. When she finally did see him, when his eyes skimmed over her even from the other side of the room, her body tingled as if he’d actually touched her.
    The man was spectacular in scrubs. Dressed in a shirt and tie, he was mouthwatering. And in black tie, he was breathtaking. Literally. Because when he started across the room, his gaze locked on hers, she could not draw any air into her lungs.
    “Dr. Wallace,” he said, inclining his head in greeting.
    “Dr. Garrett,” she