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As if noticing him for the first time, Matt looked at Gunner then sized him up. This wasn’t a friendly encounter. Gunner’s instincts kicked in, so he kept his eyes on the guy—whose stance in the hallway signaled that he was an opponent.
“Don’t block the hall,” Lori said. “I’ll let you know when I’m free.”
That didn’t seem to go over well, because Matt didn’t move. He narrowed his eyes and leaned forward, so Gunner moved closer to Lori.
“I thought you were done for the day,” Matt said.
“I’m going to speak to Gunner.”
Matt gave him a challenging look. “You booked an appointment a bit late in the day, didn’t you?”
“That depends on how you look at it.” Gunner stood his ground, waiting for the counterattack.
“Matt, please,” Lori said. “I treated Gunner the other day at the VA.”
Matt raised his brows, looking at Gunner with renewed interest. “Well, don’t take too long with her.” Then he paused for effect. “You should be aware that I’m the fiancé.”
Lori sighed and walked past Matt, then continued down the hall to her office. Once inside, she motioned for Gunner to take a seat and she closed the door.
“I’m sorry about that,” Lori said. “Matt can be pushy.”
Gunner’s attraction to Lori was difficult to conceal, and it was likely that Matt had picked up on it. “I guess he was defending his territory.”
Lori sat at the desk with her hands on the polished surface. Her nails were painted a rose color and her fingers were slender and feminine. “I’m not his territory,” she said.
“I didn’t mean it like that,” Gunner said. “I should have said his fiancée.”
Lori didn’t argue. “What can I do for you, Gunner? Are you experiencing more pain in the ankle?”
“Uh, no, not really,” Gunner said. “It was sore at first, but those shots work. I’ll be okay for a while.”
Lori’s blue eyes widened, the question on the tip of her tongue.
“Why am I here?” Gunner said. Lori looked into his eyes, making a connection that sent a wave of desire through him. “I wanted to see you again.”
Lori took that in. “You mean…because I told you my father died?”
“Partly,” Gunner said. “I couldn’t get you off my mind. I don’t like seeing you unhappy.”
Lori blushed. “You are straightforward, aren’t you? I noticed that before, but I must say, it’s rather refreshing.”
Gunner took that as encouragement. “And I just wanted to see you.” When Lori didn’t reply, he said, “What’s the deal with that guy in the hallway?”
“Matt? He gets jealous, that’s all.”
“Are you engaged to him?”
Lori let out a long breath. “Not anymore, but he can’t seem to let go.”
Gunner’s heart skipped a beat; she was unattached. “That means that you could go out with me.”
When Lori smiled, her eyes lit up. “Does that mean you’re asking?”
“Yes, I’m asking.” Gunner’s day had just taken a turn for the better.
