Prognosis: Romance (Doctors in Training 4)

Connor scowled. “That’s when I’m going to be even more visible. I’m just glad she wanted only girls at this party.”

Delighted to have a new target to tease, Ron began to taunt Connor with predictions of Alexis as a pretty teenager, bring home her first boyfriend, going to dances and prom. Groaning and reluctantly laughing, Connor didn’t have to entirely fake his dismay. He’d had his little girl for only three years, he said. He hated to think of her growing up that fast.

Though the group lingered for a short time over post-meal coffees, Connor was the one who eventually brought the evening to an end. “Mia and Alexis should be home now,” he commented with a glance at his watch. “I’d like to spend a little time with them before Alexis’s bedtime.”

James wondered if Ron’s hints about teenage years had made Connor want to hurry home to savor his daughter’s childhood as much as possible.

“We should be getting home, too,” Haley murmured, reaching for her bag. “Ron and I both have to report at seven in the morning.”

Aware that he was the only one going home to an empty apartment, James was sorry to see the dinner with his friends end. For the first time in his life, he felt truly a part of a closely knit group, and he enjoyed every moment with them. Like Connor, he was keenly aware of passing time. After graduation in May, the study group would be going in different directions for their residency programs. It would be harder to get together in the future. He would miss them all very much.

He shook Ron’s hand in the parking lot, then watched Ron and Haley walk away, Ron’s arm slung casually around Haley’s shoulders. James noted in satisfaction that Haley didn’t even limp when she walked now, a sign that she was fully recovered from her injuries. Connor was already in his car when James walked to the far side of the lot, which was the only place he’d found to park when he’d arrived among the dinner rush.

Pushing the unlock button on his key-fob remote, he eyed the sensible little hybrid he’d recently purchased without a great deal of enthusiasm. Until recently, he had driven a vintage, classic sports car, which he had loved more than any inanimate object he’d ever owned. Something about that cherry-red convertible he’d named Terri, for no particular reason, had appealed to him from the first time he’d seen it. Maybe because he’d known his father would heartily disapprove?

Unfortunately, Terri was a temperamental and unreliable mistress, leaving him stranded at the most inconvenient times. Despite his first-name relationship with every decent mechanic in the area, James had finally conceded he needed more reliable transportation for his career. He’d put Terri in storage for someday when he had time to play with her again. In the meantime, he was driving a vehicle that his dad considered sensible and responsible, and privately wondering if he was destined to turn into his dad despite his small rebellions.

He was just reaching for the door handle when a woman’s voice spoke from behind him. “James? Could we talk for a minute?”

He dropped his hand, then steeled himself to turn to face Shannon.

Chapter Four

Shannon wasn’t known to be timid under any circumstances and rarely had difficulty speaking her mind. She freely admitted there were times when she was too quick to speak, blurting out whatever ran through her head, a tendency she had to fight on a daily basis. She’d always believed somewhat ruefully that she’d inherited the tendency from her mother’s side of the family.

So, she didn’t know why she was having so much trouble trying to decide what to say to James. Maybe because her runaway mouth had made such a hash of things when she’d spoken with him in the toy store. Not that she could tell by looking at him that she had ruffled him in the least. His expression was distantly courteous, and his shuttered dark eyes held no particular emotion. The faint smile that could be charming and intriguing was merely polite now.

“Yes?” he prompted when her hesitation lasted a bit too long.

“I’m not sure I thanked you properly for recommending my services to your friend. At this stage in my business, word-of-mouth referrals are very important.”

“You thanked me at the toy store. But you’re welcome. I know Alexis is looking forward to her party. That was her father sitting beside me at dinner, by the way. Sorry, I should have introduced you.”

Though she wondered why he hadn’t, she waved off the apology. “I’m sure I’ll meet him at the party. The last time I spoke with her, Mrs. Hayes told me some of their friends and some of the children’s parents are planning to watch a football game inside during the party. Will you be there?”

“I’m not sure yet. But don’t worry, if I go, I’ll stay well out of your way.”

She sighed in response to his slightly stiff tone. “Okay, James? Let’s just get this out of the way, shall we? I said something stupid in the toy store and you took it all wrong. When I said you make me nervous, it wasn’t because I think you’re a stalker or a weirdo or anything like that.”

She had the satisfaction of seeing a genuine emotion on his face then—apparently she had caught him off guard with her blunt candor.

“Um—” Now it was James who seemed at a loss for words. Shannon had the impression that few people ever saw him flustered, as he seemed to be now.

He recovered quickly, his lips quirking into a hint of the smile she liked so much. “Thank you. I’m relieved to know you don’t place me in either of those categories.”

She really was a sucker for that formally courteous tone of his. Combined with his fleeting smiles—and those gorgeous eyes—it made it even more difficult for her to remember that she’d had good reason for being wary of the man.

It wasn’t so much him she didn’t trust, she admitted ruefully. It was herself around him.

“So what exactly is it about me that makes you nervous?” he asked, genuine curiosity evident in his voice.

This noisy parking lot was hardly the place for such a personal discussion, even though she was aware she was the one who had impulsively initiated it when she’d seen James standing by his car, parked not far from her own. Though the sun had not yet set, the shadows lengthened around them. The exhaust-scented air was warm and rather sticky against the skin exposed by the short-sleeve top she wore with summer-weight khaki pants. Patrons arriving and leaving talked and slammed car doors and a toddler cried noisily near the restaurant entranceway. Hardly an ideal place for the apology she was trying so awkwardly to make.

She had been so startled to see James dining here this evening. She and Devin had agreed to meet for half-price lasagna as Shannon was getting off work for the day and Devin was on her way to begin her shift. Shannon had nearly tripped over her own feet when she’d caught James’s eyes on her way to her table. She could tell by the way he’d responded to her greeting that he was still stinging over the way they’d last parted.

She had realized then that rather than annoying him, her tactless words at the toy store had hurt his feelings. And that was a situation her conscience prodded her to rectify, even if she wasn’t entirely sure how to go about it.

She drew a deep breath. “I just get the feeling you’re one of those march-in-and-take-charge sort of guys and that’s what makes me a little nervous. I mean, doctors are accustomed to giving orders and having them followed without question. Making decisions on behalf of other people. Telling people what’s