The Millionaire and the M.D. (17 page)

On the bright side, there won't be any confusion between you and fast food.”

“Are you positive there's not a mix-up? Is there a health fair today? Maybe all the people are here for free ice cream and a cholesterol screening?”

Sister Mary tsked. “Now, dear. You're too young to be so cynical.”

“Sorry, sister.” But if she only knew, Rebecca thought. “Maybe the board of directors did a promotion or some advertising in the
Women's Magazine
.”

“Did you give the information to the public relations staff?”

“No.”

“Then that's not it.” Sister Mary shrugged. “Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, dear.”

“Okay. Thanks, sister.”

Rebecca took the elevator upstairs. When she passed the Labor and Delivery waiting room, she glanced over, then did a double take. In a discreetly lighted corner alcove sat the graceful sculpture of a woman that Gabe had purchased at the silent auction the night of the Southern Nevada Rape Crisis Center fundraiser. She moved closer and read the plaque beneath the lovely piece of art. “In memory of Lillian Thorne and Hannah O'Neill. Donated by Gabriel Thorne.”

Her breath caught; her hands shook. He was an incredibly nice man who'd done an incredibly emotional thing and given her one more reason not to feel safe. Every day when she walked through the doors to see her patients, she would be reminded that he couldn't love her because his heart was broken.

She continued on and walked into the conference room, which was filled with people milling around and chatting in groups. There were men and women, teenage boys and girls. As she scanned everyone, her gaze settled on the one man she'd never expected to see again, let alone here.

Gabe.

When he saw her, his eyes darkened as the corners of his mouth turned up in a grin that made her stomach drop as if she were an unwilling passenger on a freefalling elevator. She lifted her hand and gave him a small wave before taking her place at the lectern. Seeing him again made her miss him more. And it almost made her forget to wonder why he was there. He wasn't a teen and he couldn't get pregnant. But, of course, part of her workshop was dedicated to making the boys aware of and accountable for their actions.

“Thank you all for coming.” No one paid any attention.

Gabe put his fingers to the sides of his mouth and blew out a shrill whistle. Everyone stopped talking and looked at her.

“Thanks for coming,” she repeated. “I'm really happy to see such a large turnout. If you'd all find seats, we'll begin.”

She was shaking really hard. It had nothing to do with talking in front of all these people and everything to do with the man who would own her heart forever. Forcing herself to concentrate, she tried to remember her notes.

“Abstinence and responsibility,” she began.

If she didn't look at Gabe, she was almost able to forget he was there. She talked about refraining from sex being the most reliable method of avoiding pregnancy. Next she touched on using condoms as a responsible method of preventing not only conception, but also STDs, sexually transmitted diseases. Then she explained the risks of pregnancy for teenagers. It wasn't in her notes, but there were boys and men who would and should be talking to their sons about what it means when a girl says no. There's never an excuse for misinterpreting or misunderstanding the word. After taking questions, she thanked everyone for coming before they filed out of the room.

When one of the last men was on his way out the door she asked him how he'd heard about the workshop.

There was what could only be called a pregnant pause before he looked guilty, then glanced at Gabe.

“I work for T&O construction,” he said. “The boss asked me to come. As a favor to him.”

“I see.” She met his gaze. “What about the others?”

He shrugged. “I don't know all of them.”

“But some?”

“Some,” he admitted. He glanced at Gabe and slid him a “sorry, buddy” look before hurriedly leaving.

She wasn't sure whether to be angry or grateful for his interference. Wrong thing, right reason? Right thing, wrong reason?

Gabe walked up to her. “Hi.”

“So you're responsible for all these people showing up?” she asked.

He slid his fingertips into the pockets of his jeans. “I may have had a small influence.”

“Small?” She glanced around the large room that had been standing-room-only a few minutes before. “What did you do? Give them a bonus?”

“I might have made it worth their while,” he admitted.

“You bribed them?”

“
Bribe
is such a negative word.”

Definitely wrong thing. But for what reason? “I didn't need a pity audience.”

“Amy and the baby are settling in with my Dad,” he said, ignoring her self-righteous indignation.

“I'm glad. Thank you for letting me know.” She picked up her purse and started to leave.

“Rebecca, don't go.”

“There's no reason to stay,” she argued.

“You're wrong.”

“I don't think so.”

“The thing is,” he said, “you can run, but you can't hide. Not really.”

She looked up at him. “What? Now you're an authority on interpersonal relationships?”

“Not an authority. But I know the retreat-and-hide symptoms like the back of my hand. They've been my two best friends since Hannah and Lilly died.” He ran his fingers through his hair and looked away for a moment. “If it hadn't been for you, I'd still be looking the other way and wandering aimlessly through the shadows.”

Her heart started beating so fast she swore it was going to burst out of her chest. “Okay. I'll give you that one. I understand hiding. I've been there, too. Other than that, I don't think we have anything more to say to each other.”

“Maybe
we
don't, but I do.”

She was afraid to hear this. His message had come through loud and clear, and she'd gotten it. She hurt like hell but she understood. She'd also seen him since and managed to preserve her dignity. But if she had to see him tell her to her face that he couldn't love her, she would start to cry. She was a doctor and she definitely cared more than enough to cry. She'd also never forgive him if he made her cry in front of him.

“I'm sorry, Gabe. I have to run—” Bad choice of words. She didn't miss the irony and sighed in resignation. “Okay. What do you want to say?”

He met her gaze, and his own turned dark with intensity. “I'll make this quick. It's pretty simple really. I've loved two women in my life.”

Great. Because it didn't hurt enough that he couldn't love her, he had to tell her about the ones he'd never have. “Gabe, I'm really not sure—”

He touched a finger to her mouth. “I've loved two women.

I lost the first to fate. I probably lost the second by choosing not to participate.”

She'd
accused him of not participating. Was he saying what she thought he was? Was he saying that he loved her? She opened her mouth, but words wouldn't come out because her throat was too dry. She cleared it and said, “Thanks for the share.”

“I don't blame you for being angry,” he said. “But if you'll give me another chance, I promise I'll be there for you. Always.”

Rebecca knew that declaration from anyone else would be subject to speculation. But not from Gabe. He had proven that he was capable of deep and abiding love for those he'd lost and the family he was committed to.

“I need you, Rebecca. I don't want to lose you.” He closed his eyes for a moment, then looked at her. “You breathed life into my heart again.”

There it was. Right out in the open. And he was waiting for a response. And she was afraid. She had so many scars inside it was like a road map to disaster.

When she didn't respond, he said, “I don't blame you for being scared. But I'm not that creep who hurt you. He's obviously a shallow, self-indulgent jerk who didn't really love you. If you believe nothing else, believe this. I love you. I don't deserve you, but I love you so much.”

“Gabe, you're not—”

He put his hands on her arms. “You need to know that even though I don't deserve you I'm selfish enough to overlook that and pursue you until you can't resist me.”

“Okay. I give.”

He blinked. “What?”

“I give up. I can't resist you.” She smiled as happiness filled her until it overflowed and tears of joy trickled down her cheeks. “Don't let it go to your head. And it's not a snap decision. I couldn't resist you from the first moment I saw you.”

The grin was all gorgeous and macho. The look was all Gabe. “Really?”

“Really. And believe me I tried to outsmart my heart and use my superior IQ to reason my way out of being attracted to you.”

He hadn't asked to fall in love any more than she had, but he was reaching out, taking a risk. How could she not do the same and meet him halfway?

“The problem is,” she continued, “I fell in love with you.”

“Then the smart thing to do would be to marry me.” He pulled her into his arms and released a shuddering breath, so full of emotion it took any swagger out of that statement.

“Brilliant suggestion,” she agreed. “Who's the brainer geek now?”

“Are you flirting with me, Doctor?”

“Is it working?”

When he kissed her she knew it was working far better than she'd ever dared hope. And she didn't feel the slightest guilt about having randy thoughts in the same room where she'd just advocated abstinence and responsibility. She and Gabe were finally taking responsibility for their feelings and had just promised to spend the rest of their lives together definitely
not
abstaining.