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friendship stung worse than he let on? Maybe she had hurt his feelings. Her stomach knotted. She hated drama, but it looked as if that was exactly what Todd was dishing out. Then again, maybe she’d interrupted an important conversation. That was probably what it was.
    Her cell phone vibrated in her pocket. She quickly glanced at the caller ID and rejected the call. Her mother could leave a message. She wasn’t supposed to take personal calls at work, and her mom probably just wanted to talk about Jessica’s baby, anyway.
    With a sigh, she sat in the empty chair at the computer station. She loved her sister, but why did their mother have to play favorites? In her eyes, Holly would never measure up to the perfect first daughter. Jessica had been a straight-A student, never got in trouble and excelled at everything she tried—while Holly had been the opposite. Her grades were average and she received detention more than once for being tardy to class. She knew it was wrong to be jealous, but it was so hard not to be. She craved her mother’s love and acceptance as much as she craved success in her career.
    The only thing that could raise her esteem in their mother’s eyes would be to get married and start a family of her own. But that’s not what she wanted, at least not yet. Sure, maybe someday, when Mr. Wonderful came along and she was secure in her position. A flash of Matthew’s vivid blue eyes danced across her gray matter, and she shook the thought away. His words from lunch on Sunday still stung. What did he know? He didn’t have to live in the shadow of a supersibling.
    Mom would have to acknowledge her younger daughter’s success once Holly was promoted to charge nurse. Of course, she was only in her first month on the job, and a promotion would take time, but Holly was determined to succeed. Her cell vibrated again, and she ignored it. If she was caught answering a personal call she’d probably get written up.
    Todd sidled up to her station. “Can we talk?”
    Holly looked up and down the hall and didn’t spot her boss. She nodded. “What’s up?” she asked, while keeping her eyes on the computer screen just in case her superior happened by.
    Todd crossed his arms. “Sorry about ignoring you. I needed to go over something with Angie.”
    Holly nodded.
    “Anyway, I’ve been thinking about what you said on the phone yesterday, and we should talk. Yes, we’re friends, but I think we could be more.”
    Holly’s fingers hovered over the keys, and she raised her eyes. “Oh. Can we talk about this later?”
    “Sure. Lunch?”
    “Okay. I’ll meet you at The Gingerbread House across the street. I’ll text you when I’m free.”
    He gave her a tight smile. “Fine.” He spun around and walked stiffly toward the rehab department.
    She blew out a breath and refocused on the computer screen. The pending conversation with Todd knotted her stomach, but it was best to hear him out and then make him understand her position.
    An hour later, Holly pushed back from her station. “I’m taking lunch.” She sent a text to Todd and walked toward the exit.
    He sauntered out of the rehab center just off the exit. “Late lunch break today.”
    Cool air washed over her as the sliding doors whooshed open. “Yes.” Holly frowned. She hadn’t expected him to leave the second she texted him. She’d planned to gather her thoughts and meet him there, but there was nothing to be done about it now.
    They picked their way across the snow-covered street in silence and trekked the short distance to the quaint shop. The sign out front said The Gingerbread Factory, but she much preferred to think of it as The Gingerbread House.
    Todd held the door open, and she went ahead of him. Fortunately the small place wasn’t busy. She ordered a sandwich and coffee to go, then paid and waited for Todd. Her stomach churned, and she wondered if the sandwich was a mistake. Then a memory of her near collapse in front of Matthew surfaced.