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stand.”
    “Wow.”
    “He’s honest, you’ve got to give him that,” Sharon said.
    “Yeah, but that’s kind of harsh.”
    “She took it anyway,” Carol added after a moment.
    “Took what?”
    “His terms. She agreed to the friend-with-benefits stuff.”
    Emilie’s mouth dropped open. “Why?”
    “Because he’s hot.” Sharon winked.
    “And it’s all she really wanted,” Carol added.
    “Oh.”
    “Not your thing?” Carol asked.
    She couldn’t imagine it. “No.” Her voice cracked.
    “What’s wrong, honey?” Sharon asked.
    The words stuck in her throat, but she forced them out. “I was married. He died last year.” It didn’t hurt as much to say as before. The relief that followed took twenty pounds off her shoulders.
    “I’m sorry.” Sharon laid a hand on hers. “You interested in Tom?”
    Was she? “I just don’t know what to expect. He’s asked me to trust him, but it’s not that easy for me to open up.”
    “Don’t be afraid,” Carol said. “Not of Tom. He’s one of the most decent men I’ve ever met.”
    “Ditto from me,” Sharon agreed. “After he gets to know you, little things will start happening. Your favorite dessert will appear on the menu if you’ve had a bad day, or an email from a friend will magically arrive in your inbox. He makes that extra effort for his people and in return, his crews are among the most content. And loyal.”
    Tom walked into the cafeteria and met Emilie’s gaze with a half smile. She nodded in response, said goodbye to Sharon and Carol, then bussed her tray and headed for the door. She needed time to think. Time to find a new emotional balance. Talking with Tom only seemed to tip the scales one way or another.
    “Emilie,” he said as she passed him in the cafeteria line. “I’d like a word.”
    Damn, she hadn’t moved fast enough. She pasted a pleasant smile on her face. “Sure, here or…”
    He angled his head toward the door and she led the way, pausing before the exit.
    He examined her, looking for what she wasn’t sure. “How’s it going?”
    “You were right. I’m starting to put names to faces.”
    He smiled and nodded. “Fantastic. Did you hear about the movie tonight?”
    She nodded. “But I have work to do. I tore apart the clinic.”
    “There’ll be plenty of time tomorrow for work, and the movie is a fairly new one. At least in the supply we get. I think you should go. It’ll give you a chance to interact with most of the crew at once.”
    He had a point. “Okay, maybe I can find someone to help move my heavy stuff around.”
    “I’m sure I can find a few guys to do that for you. So how about I pick you up at your quarters in thirty minutes?” Tom didn’t wait for an answer. Instead he turned, took a plate from the stack and entered the buffet line.
    Confusion held her motionless. Did he just ask her on a date?

Chapter Three
    “Where did you want this stuff?”
    Emilie moved an empty box to one side. The clinic looked as if a tornado had descended and tossed the contents of the room, leaving no space unoccupied. “Hmm, how about to the left of the bed.”
    Sharon and Carol navigated the chaos and set their box down.
    “For a plumber and a cook the two of you do a great job as movers.”
    “Ha,” Sharon said. “We’re about to turn into pumpkins. The movie is going to start soon.”
    “Can we go now?” Carol asked hopefully. “You’re coming with us, right?”
    “Stop with the puppy-dog eyes, that won’t work with me. I really need to get this done.” She needed a map just to find the door. “The place is a mess.”
    “Oh, come on, this stuff isn’t going anywhere. It’ll be fun.”
    Emilie paused. She should mingle and get a feel for the personalities she’d be dealing with for the next several months.
    There was no reason to worry about possibly running into Tom. No reason at all.
    Still, the thought of his arms around her and his heart beating, strong and steady beneath her ear, did make