I looked at the package in my arms and sighed, again stroking her cheek with my gloved hand. I could have held her forever. “Good night, pumpkin.” So soft. “Don’t let the bedbugs bite.”

Reluctantly, I stood up and placed her back in her bassinet. He picked up his tray and walked me to the nurses’ station next to the baby nursery so I could remove my protective shell. Off came the face mask, then the cap. I unpinned my hair, shaking it out with a little more drama than necessary. Then I began to peel off my paper suit. First the shoe coverings, then I rolled down the pants, pulling them off, leg by leg, feeling rather clumsy because I was standing instead of sitting. It also felt a little peculiar, this pseudo-disrobing in front of a stranger. As I attempted to lift the shirt over my head, I realized it was tied in back. I reached around to undo the strings but was having trouble with the knots.

I glanced at my chaperon and caught heat from his staring eyes. The intensity caught me off guard and I felt myself go warm. Immediately, he looked away, his complexion darkening a shade. He had undone the top ties of his mask, exposing the rest of his face— an aquiline nose, a generous mouth, and a strong jawline ending in a square chin.

His gaze fell over the top of my head. “Need help?”

“If you could.”

He fumbled under my long tresses, his fingertips brushing my back as he undid the knotted strings. I felt an electrical surge. I think I might have shuddered, but he didn’t comment if I did.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

I slipped off the shirt, snapped off the gloves from my hands, and picked up the discarded suit. He pressed the pedal of a trash can and I threw the disposable clothes away.

“Much obliged,” I said.

His eyes engaged me for a moment. “I will walk you to the elevator.”

Again I knew I was blushing. “No need.”

He broke into a slow smile, exposing big white teeth. “But I must escort you. If I don’t, Marnie will disapprove.”

“Something tells me you can handle Marnie.”

“You think so?”

“I have a sixth sense about these things.”

“How does that work?”

“It’s an intangible.”

“Like a woman’s intuition?”

“More like a cop’s intuition.”

“Being as you are a woman and a cop, does the intuition level double?”

“On good days, it probably quadruples.” By golly, we were flirting. Silence … but we maintained eye contact for much longer than was socially acceptable. I finally broke it. “It’s late. I should be going.”

To get to the door, I had to reach around him. I waited a moment, but he made no effort to move.

“May I ask your name?”

“My name?”

“Please.”

“Cindy.”

“I am pleased to meet you, Cindy.” Again he smiled. This time, I noticed how his big, straight white teeth contrasted with his dark skin. “I am Yaakov.”