PRINCE CHARMING M.D. (30 page)

"No," she said. "It doesn't have to be kept quiet anymore."

Trevor pulled off his gloves and tossed them into the bin. There was blood on his scrubs, but he didn't have the energy to change right now. The five hours of surgery had been grueling, but that wasn't what had drained his energy. It was Dana. Always Dana.

He'd tried to survive without her for three days and he felt as if he were dying. How would he make it through the rest of his life? He loved her. Knowing that it was probably a mistake, he'd allowed himself to fall for her. He'd fallen hard and
fast,
and now was faced with the task of reassembling the pieces of his life.

He pushed open the swinging doors and stepped into the corridor. Three nurses stood at one end. They glanced up at him as he approached, then they giggled. He was used to the attention, but this afternoon he had less than his usual patience. He wanted them to leave him alone. Didn't they get it? He wasn't interested in a harem. He wanted one woman by his side for the rest of his life. Unfortunately, she didn't share his feelings or his view of the future.

One of the nurses stepped toward him. He tried to place her and couldn't. Her name tag read Angie.

"Dr. MacAllister, you look tired," the young nurse said. "Did everything go well?"

"The patient is fine. Thank you."

Before he could move on, the woman stepped in front of him. "Dana's my boss. She's really great. You're lucky to have her." She glanced back at her friends, then at him. "We were hoping you'd try out a few more of us before making a decision, but I can't say I'm surprised at your choice. Congratulations."

He stared at her. "What are you talking about?"

She touched her fingers to her mouth. "Oh, I'm sorry. I thought it was okay to mention that you two are dating. Is it still supposed to be a secret?" She chuckled. "Well, you know how hospitals are. It's out now. Have a good evening."

She returned to her friends and the group moved away. Trevor stared after them, not sure he understood what had just happened. People knew he and Dana were dating? But how? He'd never said a word—because she'd asked him to keep quiet. He grimaced, remembering how that had bothered him. He'd been thrilled they were seeing each other, and had wanted everyone to know. He supposed he understood her reluctance, what with their working together. But if he hadn't said anything, how had the rumor started?

His first instinct was to go to Dana and talk to her about the situation. He wanted her to know that he had kept his word. Then he reminded himself it didn't matter. He and Dana weren't an item anymore. Besides, even if he did tell her the truth, she wouldn't believe him.

It wasn't supposed to hurt this much, he thought as he headed for the cafeteria. He'd thought nothing would ever be worse than what Vanessa had put him through, but he'd been wrong. This was worse, because he'd lost the ability to try again. He was done. He'd given Dana everything he had and she hadn't been interested. End of story.

As he entered the cafeteria, someone called his name. He turned and saw Lee, Dana's friend, heading toward him.

"Hi, Trevor," she called. "How's it going?"

"Fine," he lied, figuring she wouldn't be comfortable if he unburdened himself to her. "And you?"

"Not bad." She looked at him and smiled. "Rumors are flying about you and Dana."

"I've heard. I don't understand how they got started. I didn't say anything to anyone."

"I think Dana mentioned it to a couple of her nurses."

He stepped out of line and stared at her. "What? Dana couldn't have done that. She didn't want anyone to know about us."

"I know she thought that at one time, but that was before."

His chest had tightened so much it was tough to breathe. "Before what?"

"Before she realized she was a fool." Lee moved close to him. "I know it makes you uncomfortable, Trevor, but the truth is
,
you're more fairy-story prince than real-life guy. You can't blame a woman for not being sure it's safe to trust you. Look at all Dana's been through. She grew up poor and neglected. She had her heart broken when she thought the boy she loved had betrayed her. Then that boy, as a grown-up and very attractive man, strolls back into her life. What was she supposed to think?"

"That I meant what I said. That I would never lie to her."

"Convincing the head is one thing—convincing the heart is quite another. She made a mistake. She hasn't said much about your past, but I'm willing to guess you've made a few mistakes of your own—from time to time. You're the only one who knows how far you can bend on this, but I would hate to see two really terrific people lose out on the love of a lifetime just because of a misunderstanding."

He didn't know what to say. He heard the words, but he couldn't absorb them. Not yet.

Lee sighed. "I can't believe this. You're a doctor and I'm encouraging you to get involved with one of my dearest friends in life. Go figure."

With that, she turned and left. Trevor stared after her. Thoughts tumbled through his head. Dana had told people they were dating. But they weren't anymore. Was she trying to get his attention? Did she want him to know that she wasn't ashamed of being with him?

"None of
this matters
," he muttered as he got back in line, then poured himself a cup of coffee. It was too late for them. Everything was over … wasn't it?

It was close to seven before he was able to go to his locker to change clothes and head home. He was tired to the bone, and confused as hell about Dana. He hadn't been able to stop thinking about her. Lee's words also haunted him. Especially the part about Dana's making a mistake. Lord knows he'd made plenty, starting with Vanessa.

A second chance. Could he risk it? Could he not? If there was even the slightest opportunity, didn't he owe it to both of them to make every effort? After all, he'd never loved anyone the way he loved Dana.

He rested his hand against his locker. Dammit, no. He'd gone as far as he was going with her. She'd had her chance and she'd blown it. He'd seen the worst side of her and he didn't like it.

But if that was the worst she had to offer, wasn't she a prize worth having? He'd seen into the blackness of her soul and knew it wasn't so very bad.

The voice in his head annoyed him. He tried to ignore it. But it persisted in reminding him that when compared with Vanessa, Dana's worst wasn't much at all. A few dark specks rather than a yawning black hole. Dana was many things, but she wasn't deliberately cruel. Considering all she'd been through—all
they'd
been through—was it surprising that she'd had trouble trusting him? He'd wanted her to look past the facade and the rumor, but hadn't he withheld information, thereby making it difficult for her to do that?

"Stop it," he muttered. He didn't want to be reasonable or rational. So what if Dana had told people they were going out? Nothing had changed. She still didn't give a damn about him. He was still just a convenience to her. She still didn't love him. That was the bottom line.

He fumbled with his locker, opened it and reached for his clothes. Then something caught his eye.

Sitting on the shelf was a familiar box. It was just like the one he'd carried T.J. around in during the seminar. He opened it and found a note and an egg. Despite the tightness in his chest and pain, he smiled faintly. Only Dana would know about the significance of the egg. He unfolded the paper and read:

Sometimes it's hard to say egg-sactly what we mean, because we're afraid. Sometimes we find someone egg-straordinary has become a part of our lives, but we can't believe. The lack of faith isn't about that other person, but about a failing within
ourselves
. Sometimes we want to say we're sorry, but we don't have the right words.

He glanced around, but he was alone in the room. Dana wasn't lurking in the corner, yet he knew she'd been there just a short time ago. He crossed to the phone on the wall and called her office. After a couple of seconds, he was told she'd already left for the day.

Hope flared inside. Hope that he didn't want to think about but that he couldn't ignore. Had she figured it all out? Did this mean she cared? He told himself to just walk away, but he knew that if she came to him and asked him for a second chance, he wouldn't turn her down. He couldn't. Despite everything, he still loved her.

He drove home much faster than usual. When he pulled into his garage, he walked around front instead of entering through the garage. An egg carton sat on the doorstep. He opened it and found the container empty except for a small note: "I'm a broken shell without you."

There was a sound behind him. He turned and saw Dana standing there. She wore jeans and a long-sleeved white shirt. Despite her makeup, she had circles under her eyes and her skin appeared drawn.

"You look like you've been sleeping about as much as me," he said.

"If that means not at all, then you're right." She took a step toward him. "Trevor, I—" She motioned to the note. "What I wrote is funny, but it's also very true. I'm lost without you. I was so busy protecting myself against falling in love with you that I never noticed how much you'd become a part of my life. I miss you. I miss talking to you and hearing your voice. I miss laughing. I miss making love. I miss how you feel when you hold me." She smiled sadly. "I even miss how you smell."

She took another step. "I know I don't have the right to ask for another chance, but I'm asking anyway. You were dead-on about me. I'm embarrassed and ashamed and I have no excuse. I want to tell you I'm a better person than that, but you have no reason to believe me. So instead I'm asking for the time to prove that to you."

She swallowed. He could tell she was nervous. He thought about interrupting her, but figured she needed to have all this said. It would probably be better for both of them if she got it out of her system. And if the truth be told, he didn't mind hearing her confession.

"I was so wrong about you. I see that now," she continued. "I've been a thoughtless fool. I was afraid to believe you could care about me, so I ignored all the signs. Even the ones that said I was falling in love with you."

He'd wanted her to say the words, but he was unprepared for the impact when she did. Even though she continued talking, he dropped the empty egg carton, crossed the three steps between them and hauled her hard against him. His mouth silenced hers.

It was like coming home after being gone a lifetime. She was all that he remembered and more. Her heat enveloped him; her lips parted willingly as she took him in.

"I love you," she murmured against him. "I have for a long time. I love you, Trevor. The man inside as much as the rest of you."

"I love you, too. I don't know that I ever stopped."

Somehow he got the door open and maneuvered them both inside. Then they were in the living room, pulling off clothes, frantically kissing and touching and loving, and then he was inside her … where he belonged.

"I do love you," she said, and caught her breath as her body responded to his. "I want to marry you, if you'll still have me."

"There's no one else I want."

"Did you want a long engagement?" she asked.

"No. I was thinking a couple of days. Why? Did you?"

She shook her head. "Good thing, too. What with this." She motioned to their bodies.

Trevor realized he was making love with her with no barrier between them. Love swelled inside him. He cupped her face. "I want us to have children."

She smiled. "Me, too. You'll be a terrific father."

"You'll be a great mom." He chuckled. "So, if it's a boy, what do you think about calling him 'Eggbert'?"

"Trevor! I don't think so."

Dana wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close. He thought about telling her he was kind of serious about the name thing, but right at that moment, she tilted her hips slightly, drawing him in deeper. Then he couldn't think at all. He could only feel her and their love.

As they moved together in that age-old rhythm, the miracle occurred. Two did become one, creating a new life. Fortunately for Dana,
and
the baby in question, their child turned out to be a girl.

* * * * *