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she had to keep trying. “You were there?” She looked pointedly at his clean button down and dress pants.
    “I always keep a change of clothes in my office.”
    “The EMTs directed me to the hospital,” Alexis answered his earlier question. “I went to help for a couple of hours and then they sent me home. I couldn’t go home. I need to be doing something. The images won’t leave my mind. I’d go crazy sitting at home watching the replay on T.V.”
    Chris nodded. “What hospital were you at?”
    Alexis gazed into the warm depth of his eyes. “District of Columbia.”
    “Pretty bad?”
    Alexis bit her lip, thinking of Jerome. She blinked quickly but a single tear crested her eyelid and slid down.
    Chris’ hand moved toward her cheek as if to wipe the wetness away. The instant before contact he snatched it back. He blinked twice, clearing his throat.
    She wished his hand wouldn’t have stopped. She dried her face with the back of her hand. “Horrible. There were so many seriously injured. I don’t know how the doctors and nurses handled it.”
    “Makes me glad I’m not a doctor.” Chris stopped. “Not that there’s anything wrong with being a doctor. I just wouldn’t want to be that kind of doctor.”
    Alexis attempted a smile to ease his discomfort. “It’s okay, Chris, I know what you meant.”
    “Being a doctor of people’s minds is different.”
    Alexis cringed, remembering Robert’s comments from earlier today. “Not quite a real doctor?” She couldn’t help herself.
    “No-no.” His head swiveled from side to side. “I’d never say that. What you do is amazing. I think you’re the prettiest doctor I’ve ever seen.”
    Alexis’ lips twitched as she withheld a smile. She didn’t know how to reply.
    Chris looked away. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.” He rhythmically flicked the thumb of his left hand against the inside of his forefinger.
    Alexis searched for a graceful way to respond to the compliment and his obvious unease at having made it. Glancing at the papers in her hands, she crinkled the edges. “No. You’re fine. I’m not offend...it’s fine.”
    His gaze swung to her face as she stammered for an answer.
    Alexis gritted her teeth in frustration. She couldn’t understand why her wit and confidence vacated the scene whenever Chris appeared. She’d had a crush on him for over a year. He greeted her every day with, “Hi, Half-pint,” after which they shared a short, meaningless conversation and he walked away.
    She’d seen his tall, French girlfriend with flowing, black hair. Alexis was a far cry from that type of woman, basically a complete opposite. Regardless of the facts, she couldn’t control her racing heartbeat, sweaty palms, and blushing cheeks each time she glanced into his dark eyes or admired his strong build.
    “So, how are you dealing with...all of this?” She stammered the first question that came to her mind, needing to break the silence and his unnerving stare. Her question was sincere, but it didn’t come out the way she’d planned. It sounded idiotic.
    “It’s completely out of control. My worst nightmare.” His eyes flashed to obsidian. “I keep hoping I’ll close my eyes, and when I open them again this will just be a horrible dream.” He swept a hand over his face as if to erase the sickening images imbedded there.
    “I know what you mean,” Alexis commiserated. “It was awful at the hospital, watching those in pain.” She met his penetrating gaze. “I held a beautiful little boy for over an hour before they located his father.” Her voice caught. “His mom didn’t...didn’t make it.”
    Chris shook his head.
    Alexis continued, tears embracing her words. “You know Carla from Accounting?” She tried to staunch the flow of wetness with the back of her hand as she whispered hoarsely, “She lost her husband.”
    “Oh no,” Chris groaned. “That’s terrible.”
    He reached across the desk and this time he wiped the