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it had something to do with the fact that he had been the only male in the brownstone for some time. Not to mention that they were all loved up themselves and seemed determined to push soulmatedom on everyone else.

      “Heading there now. Just wanted to wish you good luck with the new head. I hear she’s tough.”

      Sam grunted his thanks as Rebecca headed down another hallway that led back to Trauma and he kept on his course to Peds. Before he pushed open the rainbow-colored double doors that led into the pediatric department, he straightened his hair in the reflection of the mirror.

      There was already a crowd gathering in the main thoroughfare of the department, right in front of the main charge desk. Sam could see Dr. Amelia Chang talking calmly to the group of surgeons who were all vying for the two coveted fellowship positions in Peds.

      As he moved into the group he caught Dr. Chang’s gaze and could see she was quite aware that he was late. Her quiet disapproval and disappointment was hard to miss.

      Mother would not be impressed.

      At least Dr. Chang wouldn’t humiliate him and call him out on the carpet for being late. His mother’s way of teaching her residents was shaming them so they didn’t do it again. Dr. Chang would probably put him on scut duty. Labs and charting he could deal with.

      “Now that we’re all here, we can finally get down to business. As you are all aware, this pediatric fellowship is one of the top five on the eastern seaboard, and we can only open this fellowship to two worthy residents. Because of that, the hospital has always felt that those two positions should not be decided solely by the pediatric head. That’s why the head of Neonatology, Dr. Hall, taking over from Dr. Powers, the head of Obstetrics, Dr. Finn, and also the new head of Maternal-Fetal Medicine will all have a say in who gets those two spots.” Dr. Chang leaned against the charge desk, her eyes scanning the crowd, silently assessing them in that unnerving way she had before continuing.

      “I know some of you have questioned the need for Maternal-Fetal Medicine to have an impact on your career as a pediatric fellow at West Manhattan Saints. We don’t see a lot of births that require a need for that, but that is changing. West Manhattan Saints hopes to become an innovative leader in maternal-fetal medicine and high-risk pregnancies. We will be expanding our birthing center to accommodate high-risk pregnancies.”

      Sam was stunned, but pleased that this new head wasn’t a waste of resources and he could see the potential of Labor and Delivery, Neonatology and Pediatrics hand in hand to become one of the best hospitals on the eastern seaboard. Still, how many high-risk pregnancies could they possibly see?

      “As you know, Dr. Powers retired, and after many years of excellent service we wish her the best. Thankfully, Professor Langley was able to find a replacement for the maternal-fetal role, which means the selection for fellowship won’t be delayed any longer. Dr. Walker is one of the top maternal-fetal surgeons from California.”

      A knot of dread formed in Sam’s stomach and he quickly scanned the room and then saw Dr. Walker approaching the group. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

      Mindy.

      The vixen from last night, the bumbling yeti who had spilled his Scotch and then seduced him, was walking with Dr. Finn. She looked so different from last night. All that glorious, silken mahogany hair was tied back and she wore black square glasses with only light lip gloss. Her look was demure, professional, but as Sam let his gaze rove over her, her appearance didn’t fool him. He knew what was lurking under the surface and just the thought of her in his arms and under him caused his blood to boil.

      This was not good. Not the sex, that had been beyond good, but the fact that it had been with one of his new bosses was not good. If he had known that, he would’ve walked away from her. He refused to follow the same path as his mother. She’d used sex to get what she wanted when she’d been a young surgeon and he’d seen how that had broken his father’s heart.

      He wanted to get the fellowship on his own merits, because he had talent. He wanted to prove to his mother that he had what it took to be the very best, to get where he was without sleeping his way there. He’d show her.

      Mindy’s appearance was bad.

      Very bad.

      He tried to move to the back of the crowd, but it was too late. She looked out over the crowd, and that bright smile faded, wavering slightly as their gazes locked.

      “Without further ado I would like to introduce the new head of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Dr. Mindy Walker.”

      Mindy blushed slightly and broke the visual connection as she came up beside Dr. Chang, shaking her hand as everyone applauded her politely.

      Sam tried to swallow the lump in his throat as he pretended that he didn’t know her. Even though no one else had seemed to notice the interplay between the two of them, he felt singled out.

      Why did it have to be her? Why did his only one-night stand in the last three years have to be someone who was responsible for the fate of his career?

      Bloody fates.

      He slid his attention back to Mindy, who was now addressing the crowd.

      “I want to thank everyone here. I’m a perfectionist when it comes to my specialty. I don’t tolerate a lot of things when it comes to my surgical practice. Fragile lives are in our hands. There is no time for mistakes and because I’m new to this hospital and have yet to get to know all of you, I’ll be requesting each one of you to work on my rotation for at least a week or more before I make any decisions about who will be getting a fellowship. My department is not large by any means yet. I’m also one of the top IVF and fertility doctors in the country. I’m a board certified OB/GYN. Pregnancy and the safe of arrival of babies and their mothers are my passion. One I take seriously.” She paused, her gaze penetrating him, and it was then Sam knew he was in trouble. Deep trouble.

      “I look forward to working with all of you.” She turned and began to chat with Dr. Chang and the other heads.

      Everyone clapped politely as the crowd dispersed to start their rounds. What else could they do? The committee had the control over the fellowship. He just had to make sure he kept his nose down and worked hard.

      And keep his distance.

      Sam tried to slip away with the crowd.

      “Dr. Napier, could you come here a moment, please?” Dr. Chang called out.

      So much for slinking off and going unnoticed today.

      He turned around and walked over to Dr. Chang and Dr. Walker. Mindy’s face was expressionless as he approached them.

      “Yes, Dr. Chang?” He said his words carefully, because he didn’t want his Scottish accent to bubble up. He’d told Mindy that it surfaced when his emotions weren’t in check.

      “You were late this morning. Are you okay?” Dr. Chang asked.

      “I…” He tried not to make eye contact with Mindy, who had a pink tinge to her cheeks. “I overslept, that’s all. It won’t happen again.”

      Dr. Chang nodded, assessing him. He hated disappointing her. She embodied everything great in pediatric surgery and he wanted one of the fellowship spots. It’s why he had been willing to come to West Manhattan Saints and work in a hospital that had ties to his mother and ties to Professor Langley, who was the first man his mother had had an affair with.

      Sam detested Langley, but having a chance to work and learn beside Dr. Amelia Chang? He could put aside all his animosity for that.

      “See that it doesn’t,” Dr. Chang said.

      “I’ll make sure of it, Dr. Chang.”

      “Dr. Walker has requested you join her service for the first rotation.”

      Sam cringed inwardly. “Of course.”

      “It’s a great honor to learn from her. The skills you’ll

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