Holding Out for Doctor Perfect

Avery folded her hands on the desk and didn’t look away. “That’s your problem, not mine.”

“You indicated that our wedding obligation was fulfilled and therefore any reason to play nice was over.”

“You disagree?”

“We’ll be spending a lot of time together over the next couple days,” he answered.

“On business,” she clarified.

“Even so, the trip will be easier if we can be cordial.”

“I’m always friendly.” She looked away for just a second. “Mostly.”

“Here’s the thing, Avery. I know I pushed you hard for this equipment.”

“Yes. Determination you said. And it paid off. You got your way.”

The “aha” light went on. “Are you still annoyed that I went over your head to your boss?”

“Among other things.”

The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step and he’d worry about “other things” later. “It’s cutting edge technology.”

“No pun intended.”

When the corners of her mouth went up his pulse did, too. “Actually that’s part of the appeal. The robot makes a perfect incision every time.”

“I’m sure you make a perfectly fine incision, Spencer, or your reputation wouldn’t be what it is.”

“I do my best and I’m damn good.”

“Modest, too,” she said, smiling.

“Just stating the facts. But this surgery system brings a level of precision that I can’t duplicate. No human can.”

“So you want to be perfect.”

That wasn’t necessary. Not really. He just didn’t want to make a mistake, professionally and personally. In his family nothing short of excellence was tolerated. That’s how he’d been brought up and why he was the best now at what he did.

“I’d like to know why you’re so dead set against this surgery system. All I want,” he said, “is every advantage available to achieve the best outcome for my patients.”

She nodded approvingly and earning the victory of her good opinion was sweet. And short. “My problem is that what you want is a capital expenditure.”

“Robots don’t come cheap.”

“I’m all too aware of that. But there’s only so much money in the budget. Spending it on what you want means that something else equally as important doesn’t get funded.”

“Such as?”

“Ventilators for babies. Don’t you think it’s vital to give children the best possible start in life?”

“That’s a loaded question.”

“It’s my job to ask the hard ones. Make the tough choices. And I wish there was an unlimited supply of funds, but that’s not how it is.”

“You’re right. And a good start for every child is imperative.” He stood and folded his arms over his chest. “In a perfect world there would be enough money for everything. But hearts are my business. With cardiovascular disease on the rise it’s also important to use the latest innovations to improve and prolong the life of parents so they can use the benefit of their experience and wisdom to guide those children into adulthood.”

She sighed. “It doesn’t hurt that this surgery system is flashy and newsworthy. Not unlike yourself, Doctor.”

“You think I’m newsworthy?” He’d take it if that was the best she could do.

“My boss does. I’m still not convinced it’s the best use of money.”

“And we’ll have several days together to debate the pros and cons.” He put his palms flat on her desk and met her gaze. Her eyes went wide and the pulse at the base of her neck fluttered wildly. It made him pretty happy that he affected her that way. “I think when we get back to Las Vegas you will see the fiscal practicality of this expenditure.”

“It’s going to be an uphill battle,” she informed him.

“And that’s not all.”

“What else could there possibly be?” She leaned back in her chair.

“I intend to change your mind about me while we’re gone.”

“In Dallas.” Her tone put it on a par with having a bad case of the flu.

“Yes.” He pointed his finger at her. “You’ve been warned, Miss O’Neill.”

“Good to know. I’ll see you there.”

“Actually, that’s why I stopped by your office in the first place.”

She frowned. “I don’t understand.”

“We should carpool to the airport tomorrow.” When she opened her mouth to argue, he held up his hand. “We’re on the same flight. Going in the same car will save money on transportation and parking. I thought that would appeal to a budget-conscious lady like yourself.”

For the first time since he’d known her Avery O’Neill was speechless and he used the silence to best advantage.

“I’ll pick you up bright and early in the morning.”

Chapter Three

Under normal circumstances Avery loved going to McCarran International Airport, but nothing about this scenario was normal. For one thing, it involved Spencer Stone and he pushed all her buttons. None of them good. She still wasn’t sure how he’d talked her into this carpool. That wasn’t exactly true—he’d talked and when he stopped there’d been no room to maneuver. A negative response had been impossible so she’d given him her address.

Now she was waiting for him on the front porch of her small, three-bedroom house in the Green Valley Ranch area of Henderson. She’d bought it new a year and a half ago, a symbol of starting with a clean slate. Moving forward. It was important to leave behind her polluted past and the stigma of a pregnant teen who didn’t keep her baby.

Just then a sporty blue BMW pulled up to the curb. Since she didn’t know anyone with a luxury car she assumed it was Spencer. That was confirmed when he got out. Oh, boy, was it confirmed, she thought, as he walked toward her up the stone path. In a navy blazer with gold buttons, tan slacks, white shirt and tasseled loafers with his swagger set on stun, he quite literally stole the breath from her lungs. The dark sunglasses added more dazzle to his dashing look.

“You’re early,” she managed to say.