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He turned to find Alex Rodriguez standing behind him. “Alex,” he said, more tartly that he should have.

Lucy waited patiently beside him. He guessed she wasn’t missing a single nuance of his and Alex’s interaction.

“We need to have a quick talk. Be in my office tomorrow morning before your first case.” Alex’s veiled dictate didn’t go over Ryan’s head.

The only answer he could give was, “Sure, I’ll be there at six-thirty. I’d like to speak to you also.”

They stared at each other like two alpha wolves deciding how they were going to share the same space. Ryan knew Alex had already won. He was the head of the neuro department now.

“Good,” Alex said, and looked at Lucy.

“Have you met Ms. Edwards?” Ryan asked Alex.

“I have. Glad to have you working with us, Ms. Edwards.”

“Thank you.”

“Dr. Woods.” Ryan waved at the blonde woman walking past.

She stopped. “Hello, Ryan.” She smiled but when her gaze fell on Alex it dimmed.

Had Alex crossed swords with her also? “Layla,” Ryan continued, “I’m sorry I wasn’t here when the announcement was made that you’re going to be the new pediatric head. Congratulations.”

“Thanks, Ryan.”

He looked at Lucy. “Have you met Lucy Edwards, the new neuro family counselor, and Dr. Alex Rodriguez, our new neuro head?”

“Hello, Lucy.” Layla offered her hand to Lucy then turned to Alex, hesitating before she took the hand Alex extended. “Alex.”

She gave his name a hard edge and their handshake was almost over before it had begun. Did they have some history? Interesting. Maybe Ryan wasn’t the only one that Alex had rubbed up the wrong way.

“Hello, Layla,” Alex said, his tone almost as cutting as hers.

“You two already met?” Ryan asked, looking from one to the other.

“Yes,” Alex answered, but his attention remained on Layla. “How’re you?

“Fine. And you?”

“Well.”

If there was an iceberg between Lucy and himself, it was nothing compared to the frigid fog gusting off the two people in front of him.

“Is your husband here with you?” Alex asked, glancing around the room.

Even in the dim light Ryan could see Layla blanch. “No, we’re divorced.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Alex said, but his response lacked a ring of sincerity. “If you’ll excuse me, I see someone I need to speak to.” He nodded curtly to the group and was gone.

“Lucy and I are on our way to sign pledge cards. Would you like to join us?” Ryan asked Layla.

“Thank you, but I’ve already stopped by. I need to speak to Jack a second so I’ll see you around,” Layla answered, not looking at him. Instead, her gaze rested on Alex’s back as he moved across the room.

“Then we’ll see you later.” Ryan put his hand at Lucy’s waist. A thrill went through him when she didn’t move away.

“Nice to meet you, Dr. Woods.” Lucy said. When Layla was out of earshot, Lucy whispered, “What was that all about?”

“I don’t know but I’d say there’s some history between them. And not the good kind.”

“I’d say she isn’t the only one that feels that way.” She looked meaningfully at him. “I know you wanted the department head job.”

“I did. Do.” Once again she had him telling her things he should keep to himself.

“I would’ve thought you would’ve been the logical choice.”

“Me too.” He’d put in his time, paid his dues and had been confident he’d be the committee’s pick.

“Do you have any idea why they didn’t?”

“Yeah. Bad day for an interview.”

She looked at him keenly. “How’s that?”

“Who’s getting personal now?”

She sneered at him. “This has to do with the hospital. It’s not personal.”

“Seems personal to me.” He’d have to tell her or she wouldn’t give up. “My father passed away the week before the interview. I left straight after the interview to attend his funeral. My mind hadn’t been on impressing the committee.”

His father’s illness and death had not only destroyed Ryan emotionally but it had also damaged his career. The timing of his bid for a leadership position couldn’t have been scheduled on a worse date. He’d make sure when the next opportunity arose that he’d done everything he could to sway the decision in his direction. He was determined to make his father proud. That was why he’d agreed to be a part of the co-ordinated patient care program. Why he had brought the woman next to him to this party.

Lucy put her hand on his arm. “Ryan, I’m sorry. That seems so unfair.” She looked at him with deep compassion.

Were her feelings always on display? “And that’s life.”

“That’s a little more cynical sounding than I believe you are.”

This conversation had already touched areas he wasn’t interested in exploring. He gave her a twisted smile. “Come on, let’s see about those cards and then get something to eat. Maybe have a dance,” Ryan suggested.

* * *

Lucy wasn’t too sure about the dance part. That would require Ryan to touch her and if he did so she was afraid she might make a fool of herself. “I’ll go for the food. I’m not dancing with you. This is no date.”

She glanced at him. Had Ryan said, “You want to bet?”

Minutes later they were making their way towards the hors d’oeuvres tables despite being stopped a number of times by greetings from people Ryan knew. He was flawless in his manners and introduced her every time. The charming O’Doherty way.

Ryan seemed to be popular with women and men alike. He was always ready with a witty remark and a quick smile. Why couldn’t she and Ryan have that kind of relationship? Oh, no. She was letting him do it to her again. He’d made it perfectly clear how he felt and she’d do well to remember that.