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small conference area, hammers pounded in the background, and the smell of paint wafted down the corridor.
    Paige watched as Ian ran the meeting. His color was high and his smile wide as he talked about schedules and supplies and the mechanics of operating his new center. “Since we’ve agreed to use as much of the available space as possible for patients, we’ll double up on offices, if that’s all right.”
    Marcus Volpe, a semiretired internist, asked, “Who gets the pretty ladies?”
    At the end of the table, staff psychologist Elliot Emerson smiled.
    The physician’s assistant, Carol Camp, rolled her eyes. “Marcus, don’t you know, in this day and age, that comment could be construed as sexual harassment?”
    He winked at her. “At my age, my dear, that would be the highest of compliments.”
    A mother of four who was interested in working a couple of days a week, Carol said, “I’ll share with Marcus.”
    Ian glanced at Paige. “That leaves you and me, Paige.”
    She felt a blush creep up her neck. “Really? I just assumed as director you’d have your own office.”
    “Nope.”
    “What about Elliot?” She’d been trying very hard to ignore the psychologist. She hadn’t known one was going to be on board.
    “Elliot will have a separate space for counseling. He’ll keep his desk and records in there.”
    Paige bit her tongue, literally.
    “Paige?” Elliot asked. “Is something wrong?”
    Busying herself with the yellow legal pad in front of her, she asked, “Wrong? No, why?”
    “Well, quite frankly, you scowled when I was introduced, and you seem...unhappy about my being here.”
    Ah, the joys of working with Dr. Freud. “I’m fully aware of your reputation at Elmwood, Elliot. You do good work educating medical students in psychology.”
    Elliot’s green-eyed gaze bored into her. His dark-blond hair was cut perfectly in a short professional style. Quite a contrast to Ian’s mane. On anybody else, Ian’s style would be feminine. Instead, he looked like Samson in a white lab coat.
    “But something’s bothering you about me, Paige, I can tell.”
    Okay, she’d voice her opinion. “Truthfully I was surprised a psychologist was asked to join the Center. Young mothers, even unwed ones, aren’t necessarily screwed up.”
    Ian braced his arms on the table in front of him, a man defending his child. “No one’s saying that, Paige. It’s just common sense. If the women who come here can’t afford medical care, something’s not working in their lives. Elliot has done a great deal of aptitude testing, job counseling and career seminars, as well as being Elmwood’s finest psychologist.”
    Again Paige forced herself to relax. Her problem really had nothing to do with Elliot. It was personal and was about comparing herself to the patients who would be coming to the Center. That was, after all, why she’d balked at taking the job. “I wasn’t criticizing Elliot. I was just making an observation.” She smiled at the other doctor. “I agree that we’re lucky to get you.”
    He settled back, but seemed to study her like a patient with an ailment he couldn’t diagnose.
    Ian dealt with logistics, talked about the opening and generally played cheerleader for the Center. “I guess that’s it,” he said finally. “I look forward to working with all of you, and again, thanks for becoming part of the team.”
    Standing, he signaled the meeting was over. He walked Carol and Marcus out. Quickly Paige gathered her things. Discomfited by Elliot’s observation, she wanted some time alone to collect herself. But she turned to find that the psychologist had come up behind her. “I hope you meant what you said, Paige.”
    “Of course I did.” She gave him a warmer smile this time
    His return smile was a sexy one. “I’m looking forward to working with you.” He extended his hand. “And getting to know you better.”
    “Me, too.” She accepted his handshake.
    He let go and turned; Paige saw