Seducing The Boss (Pulse #2) - Mari Carr Page 0,35

dating sites, but I have to admit, I’m glad I did.”

Sara avoided meeting Kellan’s gaze. Instead, she looked down at her plate as if fascinated by the salad.

“Online,” Kellan repeated. Was this the guy who had stood her up Friday night? Or had Sara decided to return to the world of online dating? Had it really been that easy for her to move on?

Gabriel nodded. “Yeah. We’ve been chatting for several weeks. Unfortunately, our work schedules seem to fall in direct opposition to each other. We were supposed to meet last Friday, but it didn’t work out. So we managed to get together for lunch yesterday. She’s just as beautiful in person as she is online.”

It was the asshole. Why would Sara give the man another chance?

“What do you do for a living, Gabriel?”

“I’m a pediatric oncologist.”

Awesome. A doctor. And not just any doctor either. He treated kids with cancer. Luke Skywalker had just shown up with his fucking lightsaber. There was no way Kellan was going to come out of this conversation looking good.

“What about you, Kellan?”

Kellan hesitated. He wasn’t embarrassed or ashamed of his job. After all, he was the CEO of a hospital. But if Gabriel’s opinion of hospital administrators was as low as Sara’s, he was about to open the door to a night on the hot seat, trying to justify his workplace decisions, when all he really wanted to do was get Sara back into his bed. Or even just back onto his couch for a viewing of the latest Star Wars movie.

Coming here tonight had been a big mistake.

“Kellan is my boss at the hospital. He’s the CEO at Hampton Gen.”

“Wow. Impressive. That must keep you busy.”

Kellan nodded.

“Gabriel works in a private practice,” Sara said, looking at Kellan for the first time since her date’s arrival at the table.

“It’s very admirable work that you’re doing, Gabriel,” Mrs. Connelly said. “I can’t imagine it’s an easy job.”

Kellan was grateful Sara’s mother had turned the attention away from him, but it annoyed him to have to sit and listen to everyone rave about Gabriel. Did Sara tell them about the guy standing her up, leaving her sitting in Score by herself?

“Just like with any job, there are good days and there are bad ones.”

Kellan’s mother lifted her wineglass. “I’m so pleased you could join us tonight. Sara is a very special young woman. I’ve always thought of her as the daughter I never had.”

Sara blushed at the compliment. “Thanks for the endorsement, Mrs. James.”

Gabriel’s phone beeped. “I’m terribly sorry,” he said as he glanced at the screen. He gave Sara an apologetic look. “I need to step outside for a moment. I changed the medication for one of my patients, and his mother has a concern.”

“Of course,” Sara said. “Please call her.”

Gabriel left the table, and Mrs. Connelly and his mom both watched him go. God, it looked like both of the older women were staring at the man’s ass.

“Sara,” Mrs. Connelly said in hushed tones, even though Gabriel was well out of hearing range. “He’s marvelous. So handsome and nice and smart. Well done, sweetheart.”

Sara appeared to be as uncomfortable with this conversation as Kellan was. Part of him was debating crying off on the meal and getting the hell out of here. However, the stronger, jealous as shit side of him wasn’t about to leave Sara alone with the hot doctor.

Sara sighed. “He’s been called away from the table three times so far, Mom. How can you make that assessment?”

Kellan glanced over his shoulder. Gabriel was nowhere in sight. So, he was one of those guys—tied to his job and his cell. Which meant, if things worked out between the good doctor and Sara, she’d forever play second fiddle to his patients. Admirable profession or not, Sara deserved better than that. She deserved to be placed on a pedestal.

“I just mean,” her mother said, “I think it’s wonderful that he’s so devoted to his patients.”

“You’re right,” Sara amended, clearly uncomfortable with the conversation. Kellan wondered if that was because he had shown up unexpectedly, or because her date kept slipping away. “He’s a very nice guy.”

“Did he have a good excuse for Friday?” If Kellan weren’t exhausted from too many sleepless nights, and grumpy as fuck from horniness, he probably would have saved that question for when they were alone.

Sara narrowed her eyes. “He did.”

“Friday?” Mr. Connelly asked.

“Gabriel and I had planned to meet for drinks Friday, but he didn’t show. Apparently there had