“This was a long day.”

They stopped next to her friend’s minivan and Georgia clicked her keychain so the side door opened automatically. There were two car seats in the back and a mess of books and toys on the floor.

“It’ll all be better soon.” There was a curiously sly note in Georgia’s voice.

“What does that mean?” Penny asked. Georgia wasn’t meeting her eyes all of a sudden.

“Just a hunch. That’s all. Go home. Get some sleep. Wear some makeup tomorrow. And for God’s sake, do something with that hair besides the prison-warden bun. A soft ponytail wouldn’t kill you.” Her friend gave a jaunty wave and then hopped into the driver’s seat.

“What? Georgia, what did you do?” Penny rapped on the window. For a moment she thought her friend was going to drive away without responding. Finally, the window lowered a few inches.

“I just gave Sergeant Sexy a few things to think about. He’ll be back.”

*   *   *   *   *

THE NEXT AFTERNOON, Penny could barely concentrate. Her cell phone rang and she picked it up. Scott’s picture flashed across the display. She ran her thumb over the screen. She really should answer. Scott didn’t call during the day often. But it seemed disloyal to talk to him when she was thinking about another guy.

She ran her fingers through her hair, dislodging her ponytail. The loose hairstyle had been irritating her all day. She couldn’t believe she’d dressed up for a guy. She had to get Matt Simmons out of her mind. She couldn’t help someone who didn’t want to be helped.

It was time to let it go.

“Um, Penny? You have some visitors.” Georgia’s voice crackled over the intercom system.

She snatched up her handset. “Georgia, I need a minute. Can you ask one of the other therapists to get the patient started? I’ll check in on them in a few.”

“I would, but these aren’t patients. You have visitors. Scott is here.”

“What? He’s here? I guess that’s what he was calling about.”

“You have another visitor, too. Sergeant Simmons is here to speak with you as well.” By the clipped tone of her assistant’s voice, Penny could only assume one or both men were nearby.

“They’re both here? Okay. I’ll be there in a moment.”

Penny dropped the phone in the cradle and then pushed her chair back. “Crap. I do not need this right now.” She pulled open her desk drawer and took out her handbag. There wasn’t a lot of damage control she could do in just a few minutes, but at least she could smooth her hair and make sure she didn’t have anything in her teeth.

After her emergency primping session, she emerged from the patient corridor into the waiting room. Scott jumped up from his seat. He looked like he’d just come from court, his light brown hair lightly gelled back and his suit as crisp as the day he’d bought it.

“Hey, there’s my girl.” Scott pulled her against him and kissed her passionately.

“Whoa! Uh, hello to you, too.” Penny glanced around and several of the waiting patients averted their eyes. Her face burned as she turned around. She’d never been into public displays of affection and Scott wasn’t either. She put her hands on his chest to keep him at a proper distance. “What’s gotten into you? You’re awfully friendly.”

“Just missed you. I’ve been calling you all morning. For a minute there, I thought you weren’t going to come out. I was hoping we could do lunch.”

“Sorry. I’ve been a little preoccupied today.” Penny turned, startled to see Matt leaning against the reception desk watching her.

The same feeling she’d experienced yesterday rolled through her, forcing the heat of another blush to her cheeks, picking up her pulse, and shortening her breath.

Scott followed her line of vision. “Who is that?”

She patted Scott on the arm. “That’s one of my patients. Can you give me a few minutes?”

He nodded and wandered to one of the straight-backed chairs a few feet away. She turned back to Matt. He pushed away from the counter and walked over to her.

“Is the suit your boyfriend?” Matt glanced over her shoulder at Scott. He seemed amused. For some reason, that annoyed her. Who was he to judge her relationships? Not every man could be a pumped-up, super-alpha testosterone factory like he was.

“Why are you here, Matt?”

His dark eyes never left her face as he answered. “To apologize and beg you for another chance.”

“Apology accepted. However, I don’t know if we can work together.”

When he opened his mouth to respond, she held up a finger. “Hang on. This isn’t exactly a waiting-room conversation. Um, I have some time between appointments, so we can talk. You can wait in my office.”

Matt crossed his arms, his dark eyes inscrutable. “That’s okay. I’ll wait right here, thanks.” His lips curled up into his usual smirk.

Fantastic. Penny rolled her eyes and walked over to Scott. When he saw her coming, he jumped up. She held up a hand to keep him from grabbing her again.

“I wish I could do lunch but I have patients.” Technically Matt wasn’t a patient, but they still needed to talk. As excuses went, it would have to do.

His voice dropped another octave. “That’s okay. I just wanted to see you since I have to work tonight and tomorrow. I have to get some work done so I can give you my undivided attention for our anniversary dinner this weekend. I’m really looking forward to it.”