Dear Reader
Visiting New York City is pretty high on my bucket list of things I want to do.
When I was six years old I had a year living in Bethesda, Maryland. I went to school there, and had all the fun of big, big snow in the winter and a ârealâ Halloween. I still have a major fondness for both events.
I just loved doing the research for this NYC Angels continuity book. Not only did I get to include Halloween, but I was also obliged to spend many hours learning about a magic city that I fully intend to see in the not so distant future. Iâve fallen in love with Central Park already, because itâs very close to the Angel Mendez Childrenâs Hospital and snuck into my story.
Even better, I had a feisty Texan heroine, a gorgeous hero, and a past conflict between them that was huge. My Alex and Layla had a lot of growing to do and stuff to sort out before they could get anywhere near a happy ending.
I loved getting so close to them on their journey to really discover each other. Hope you do too!
Lots of love and happy reading!
Alison xxx
âNo.â
The single word was as dramatic as the way the man had stormed into Layla Woodsâs office and slammed a piece of paper onto her desk.
As dramatic as the man himself.
Alex Rodriguez was clearly furious. The waves of his thick, jet-black hair looked rumpledâas if heâd pushed angry fingers through it. Eyes that were nearly as dark glared down at Layla.
A long way down. Layla had to fight the urge to leap to her feet so that she could feel taller. Braver. But that would be a dead giveaway that she was rattled, wouldnât it? And she couldnât afford to let Alex know the effect he was still capable of having on her.
With a satisfyingly steady hand, she reached for the piece of paper. The memo she had sent out that morning to all the senior staff members here at the Angel Mendez Childrenâs Hospital.
âThis is the agenda for the next monthly report meeting.â
âAnd youâve put me down as being the first presenter.â Alex folded his arms. âThe answerâs no. I decline the invitation.â
âItâs not an âinvitationâ,â Layla flashed back. âItâs the case Iâve chosen to open the meeting. Iâm sorry if itâs inconvenient but itâs your patient, Alex, therefore you present the case. End of story.â
The head of paediatric neurosurgery made an exasperated sound, turning as if he intended to storm out of her office in the same way heâd entered. Instead, he stopped beside the large window, with the backdrop of a bright blue October morning. Was he taking in the fabulous view of New Yorkâs Central Park that this prestigious top-floor office had to offer?
An office befitting Laylaâs position as the new chief of paediatrics at this famous hospital. Her dream job. A position that had been in jeopardy a few short weeks ago until Alex had stepped in to protect her.
âWhat the hell are you playing at, Layla?â
The angry tone of Alexâs voice must have carried because Laylaâs secretary appeared at the open door. Layla gave her a tight smile.
âHold my calls, please, Monica.â The tilt of her head conveyed the message that she wanted more than her calls held to deal with this. The door was tactfully closed as her secretary retreated.
âWell?â Alex turned back to face her and this time Layla got to her feet.
Slowly.
She walked to the other side of her desk but couldnât go any closer to Alex. The huge can of worms that represented their shared history was blocking the way.
Or maybe it was the memory of what had happened the first time theyâd confronted each other since theyâd both been working here at Angelâs. When theyâd been close enough for the flames of a sexual chemistry that had clearly never died completely to flare into that scorching kiss.
It couldnât happen again.
Their past had been precisely what had put her new job in jeopardy. Had she really been naïve enough to think that it had been so long ago it couldnât affect her life any more? That she could take a high-profile position like this and it wouldnât matter that she hadnât disclosed her involvement in the malpractice suit that had nearly destroyed Alexâs career five years ago?
Somehow they had to move past this. Learn to work together.
âI had intended discussing the agenda with you. You declined the appointment I tried to set up last week.â
âI was busy.â Alex held her gaze. âAs you would have noticed if youâd bothered checking my electronic calendar.â
Layla kept her expression carefully neutral. She had checked his calendar but he could have easily suggested another time. They both knew the real truth. He had been avoiding her.
Since that kiss.
He hadnât even let her voice her thanks for the way heâd stepped in and defended her at the board meeting when her integrity had been under examination and it had been highly likely that they would decide she was not the right person to oversee the talented staff that Angelâs was so proud of.