Dara Girard - Snowed in with the Doctor

His voice grew soft and remained low. “Yes, you are.”

Lora sighed, hoping to appear bored, although inside she was steaming. “May I leave now?”

“I’m not holding our first meeting against you, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“I wasn’t thinking that,” she said, wishing he hadn’t brought it up. She hated that he remembered and mentioned it so casually, as if it didn’t matter.

He frowned, confused. “Then why are you upset?”

“I didn’t say I was upset.”

“You don’t need to. I can tell.”

“I’m sure you can. You’re very observant, after all. I just know you don’t care.” She stood, calculating her distance to the door. “Now excuse me.”

“I do care.”

Lora bit her lip to keep from laughing.

He raised his brows. “You don’t believe me?”

“Does it matter?”

“Yes, I can’t allow what happened in the past to affect our relationship now. I’ve moved past it, but obviously you haven’t.”

“I have. And I’m trying to be polite.”

“Then stop and be honest.”

“And risk losing my job?” she shot back, her patience thinning.

“You won’t lose your job.”

Lora returned to her seat and sat. “Is that a promise?”

Silver fell silent and leaned back, a casual gesture that was anything but. “I already know what you think of me, and I know you’re not shy with voicing your opinion, so why start now? Although you are one of the best scientists we have here at Ventico, there’s always room for improvement.”

“I agree. May I go now?” Lora saw his eyes narrow, but she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of letting him know what she thought. She’d done that before, and it hadn’t changed anything.

“Yes.”

She stood again and walked to the door, feeling a small sense of victory.

“So what happened to your hair?”

Her hand flew to her hair as if she feared it had disappeared. She spun around and glared at him. “What do you mean?”

“It’s different.”

“I know.” Lora gaped at him, trying to figure out if he was joking, but his tone wasn’t mocking and his expression remained interested. Why was he casually talking about her hair? How had he noticed it? No one else seemed to. She’d gotten a trim and permed her thick hair to make it more manageable. She now wore it in a low, soft ponytail, using a decorative comb to hold it in place instead of a rubber band, and she’d added thin bangs and light brown highlights but nothing dramatic.

His eyes caught and held hers. “Whatever you did, it looks nice.”

Lora blinked, unable to respond. Was that a compliment? Had she fallen into a parallel universe? She turned to the door, eager to escape. It didn’t matter. He could be nice all he wanted, but that didn’t change the fact she thought he was a bastard.

Lora left Silver’s office, sat down at her desk and wanted to scream and kick something. Why did he criticize her one moment and compliment her the next? He was playing games. Yes, Justin Silver would get his payback.

“How did it go?” Carla asked. She was in her early forties, and Lora had met her briefly several years ago but had gotten to know her better while working at Ventico. She was slim with a face best suited for an operatic tragedy. Her lips turned down, and she had large somber brown eyes. She kept to herself. Lora knew she was single, never married, with an excellent mind. She was always very calm, as if she could walk through a storm without flinching. She’d helped Lora through the transition after Dr. Coolidge left and Dr. Silver took over. But although Carla was observant, she hadn’t noticed Lora’s new hairstyle—or at least she hadn’t mentioned it. No one had, not even Warren who she wanted to. Why had Silver noticed? Why had he said anything? “I’m still in one piece,” Lora said with a nonchalance she didn’t feel.

“Lucky you. He nearly made Dr. Yung cry with—”

“I don’t care what he says to me. I know he can be mean.” She’d never let herself care enough to let him hurt her. She was angry but not hurt.

“No, he—”

“How was your eval?”

“It was fine, but from your expression and tone I think I can surmise that we won’t be working closely together.”

“No. He effectively shot that possibility down.” She clenched her hand into a fist and shook it at his closed door. “He’s ruining my career.”

Carla laughed. “It’s not like you to be so dramatic. He’s a savvy director and has a keen eye for what’s best for us and our department.”

“He moves us around like chess pieces.”

“He’s used to winning.”

“So did he say anything specific?” Lora asked.

“Not really. I got good marks. I’m truly hoping he’ll allow more funding for my project.”

“You deserve it. I can’t see him not letting that happen.”

But as Lora said the words, she knew it was a lie. She could easily see him stopping Carla. Just as he had stopped her. If he didn’t think something was worthwhile, he would disregard it. But she didn’t care what he thought of her. He could think whatever he wanted. He was the type to always find fault anyway. But why had he given her a compliment? What was wrong with him? What was wrong with her? She wanted to stop thinking about him. Her makeover plan was supposed to impress men, but he didn’t count.

In following the steps in 30 Days to Romance, she’d already gotten a new pair of designer glasses. She’d tried contacts years ago but had never been able to adjust to them, and she had no interest in laser surgery. She’d also changed her hairstyle and even started wearing lipstick. She wasn’t averse to wearing makeup; she just hadn’t made it a priority. She’d even taken two dance lessons and was learning the salsa.

“I wonder what his evaluation was like,” Carla said as she peered at an attractive black man hurrying past.

Lora looked up and saw Warren Rappaport walking by; she hoped she wasn’t visibly drooling. She’d give him high marks all around. When Rappaport had arrived, most of the women had taken notice, but Carla hadn’t shown much interest. She never seemed to take interest in men, or women, for that matter. Her main focus was her work, just as it had always been for Lora.

“Have you talked to him yet?” Carla asked, knowing of Lora’s interest.

“Not yet.”

“Personally, if I had to choose between Rappaport and Silver, I’d go for Silver.”

“Are you insane?”

Carla held up her hands in surrender. “I know he’s terrifying and a bit distant—”

“As far as the Arctic.”

“But he’s established, respected and easier to read. Warren is attractive, I admit, but he’s still building his career, and he’s a little too charming.”

“How can a man be too charming? Everyone likes him.”

“Hmm. He just doesn’t seem as transparent as he acts. I hope that book you’re reading tells you how to catch the right man.”

“How do you know about my book?” Lora asked, surprised.

“I saw it in your bag. You better be careful about reading it in here. And whose interest you get.” She grinned, then walked away.

Lora folded her arms. Silver’s response was an aberration, that was all. It had to be. She had holiday plans, and Dr. Justin Silver would not be part of them. But Dr. Warren Rappaport definitely would be.

* * *

Justin touched two fingers to the inside of his wrist, then checked his watch. He measured the time and his beating pulse, then swore. Yep, his pulse was racing. He could feel it but wanted to confirm it. This was the effect Lora Rice had on him. It had been the same the first time they’d met, when she’d basically let him know that she thought he was the scum of the earth. Unfortunately, it was no different now. No, he was wrong, it was worse. Much worse. And he wasn’t sure what to do about it.