Kate Hoffmann - Seducing the Marine

“This isn’t too bad,” Olivia said, gazing around. “I can imagine how it would work. A reception desk here, and we’d need to make a wall here. And this whole area would be available for workshops and meetings. Healthy-cooking classes and exercise demos and—” She took a deep breath and laughed. “I get so excited about this.” Olivia glanced over at Will to find him staring at her. “Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. This is important to you.”

“It is. I mean, I don’t want to be the kind of doctor who just stays in the office all day long and runs patients in and out on an assembly line. I want to make a difference. I want to show people that good health is in the food they eat and the miles they walk and in the positive attitude they have about life.”

“I believe you could do that.”

“And I want to do it in the UP. There are so many people who need me here.”

Will caught her hand and pulled her around to face him. “About the other night...” he started.

Olivia was stunned by the sudden shift in his mood—and the conversation. From the look on his face, it was obvious he was torn about something and that something had to do with her.

“At the coffee shop? We had a nice time,” she said. “I enjoyed myself.”

“I meant the kiss,” he murmured. “I wasn’t thinking. It was...unintended. But part of me wishes I’d taken it further.”

“Old habits die hard.”

“No, this is different. But I don’t want to give you the wrong idea.”

“And what idea would that be?”

He paused for a long moment, and she could see he was having trouble putting together the words he wanted to say. Finally, he shook his head. “I don’t know.”

Olivia reached out and took his hand. “It was just two old friends reliving a moment from their past. Let’s just leave it at that.” And yet, the kiss hadn’t felt friendly at all. It had been a perfectly wonderful and passionate kiss, the kind of kiss Olivia craved. But falling into a romantic relationship with Will would only complicate the situation. He needed a friend more than he needed a lover.

“All right, we’ll try it your way,” he said, his tense expression softening slightly.

She gave his hand a squeeze, then pulled back, turning to look around the room. “I think I’ve seen enough here. There’s one more place to check out, then I’ve got to get home.”

“Big date?” he said.

Olivia laughed. “No. Just a few late appointments. But I do have to go to a party on tomorrow night. It’s a hospital fund-raiser thing at the theater. In the old ballroom?”

“Sounds fun,” he said.

She seized on an opportunity to try to help him. “It would be fun—if you came with me. It’s a really good cause. There’ll be free food and drinks. I bought six tickets, so we can each drink and eat for three people. There’ll be a band and dancing.”

“Are they giving you money for your project?”

“No, that’s a different foundation.”

“I guess I could come,” he said.

Olivia nodded. “All right, then. I can pick you up.”

“No, I’ll meet you there,” he said.

“All right. It starts at six. Cocktail attire. It’s a date.” She shook her head. “But not a date date.”

She walked to the door and stepped out onto the snow-covered porch. Getting Will out in society again was an important first step. And putting themselves in a crowd of people was the perfect way to avoid any intimate encounters. From now on, she was determined to treat Will more like a patient and less like an old boyfriend. Or a future one.

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