It wasn’t until well after a respectable time had passed and they all were out celebrating with coworkers, that Paul confessed his crush on her. Granted it could’ve been the atmosphere or the alcohol talking, Deven never knew. She was flattered, but—and she would never admit this to him—she couldn’t see herself dating outside her race. Kennedy had once called her prejudiced. Deven didn’t know if she agreed with that, but still, she did her best to keep their friendship just that, friendly. That decision hadn’t stopped her curiosity though. Especially when he looked at her like he was doing right then.

Deven cleared her throat to dispel the rising sexual tension. The man hadn’t even said anything, so why the hell was she aroused like she was in heat? With a whole baby in her stomach, at that. Damn hormones.

Paul finally spoke up first. “Hey you. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Deven lifted an amused brow. “Really? Because you know I do work in this part of the hospital.”

“No, I meant not here”—Paul motioned an arm down the hall—“I meant here, here.” He clearly realized how foolish he sounded, and he threw up his hands on a laugh. “You know, what? Forget it. How are you, Deven? It’s been a minute.”

Deven nodded. He was right. Since her father had passed, she didn’t see him nearly as often as she used to. “Pretty good. Can’t complain.”

“You look good.”

Was he flirting with her? It certainly wouldn’t be the first time. Warmth rose in her face and Deven had to look away. So much for platonic. Lord, she needed to be hosed down with cold water.

“Uh, what are you doing here?” Then to mimic him, she added, “You know. Not here. But here, here.”

Her imitation prompted another laugh. “I’m meeting someone. She had an appointment.”

“Oh? Your sister?”

“Girlfriend.”

Damn, there was the cold water she had asked for her. The puncture of the one word instantly doused all the flirtation like an extinguisher. “Oh,” Deven blinked, then failed miserably to put that light inflection back in her tone. “Congratulations. I didn’t know you had a—I mean I didn’t know you were about to be a dad.”

“Yeah, we’re excited.” And he looked genuinely happy.

As long as Deven had known Paul, she’d never so much as heard about him going on a date or even seen a woman’s picture on his desk. Of course, the hospital rumors had been active, tossing around that he was gay, or a virgin, or both. Then he had made his confession and all speculation went out the window. Apparently, that crush of his had also died down.

“Well, congrats again to you and . . .”

“Amber.”

Deven frowned, feeling another pierce of pain. Amber sounded like the perfect doctor’s wife.