“What did you say you have?”
“Endometriosis.” Andrea disliked revealing something so personal about herself, but there was no way to avoid it now “It’s a disease that seems to be the plague of the modern woman. Something to do with stress.”
Her boss sat forward in his swivel chair eyeing her soberly. “Is this the reason you’ve had to take three personal leaves since coming to work for me?”
He’d been keeping track? How embarrassing! Yet he was being so kind, she found herself blurting the details.
“Yes. I’ve had six laparoscopies to be exact, the first one when I was in high school and the second in college. The third happened after I’d gone to work for Stover Electronics. That was before I interviewed for the position with your company.”
She wouldn’t have wished the emotional and physical pain of her disease on her worst enemy.
“I’m sorry, Andrea. I had no idea.” His intelligent eyes shone with compassion. “What’s the cure?”
“A hysterectomy. I’ve decided to have one as soon as possible. That’s why I’m here. To arrange for the time off.”
“You’re only twenty-eight!” he exclaimed without addressing the main issue. “That’s too young.” He sounded as if he truly cared and Andrea found herself struggling not to break down in tears.
“Not in my condition. It happens to women during the childbearing years. I’ve been battling it since I was seventeen, but enough’s enough. The doctor says I should plan on a six-week recovery period before coming back to work. I realize that’s a long time to be gone, but I know Darrell won’t let you down. He’s a wizard.”
Her boss grimaced. “There’s nothing else to be done before you’re robbed of the chance to ever carry a child?”
“Yes,” she murmured reluctantly. “Get pregnant right away before it grows back again worse than before, but that isn’t a possibility.”
“Why not?” he demanded.
She had to admit it shocked her he kept firing questions of such a personal nature when all she was asking for was the time off to undergo the surgery.
Six months ago Andrea’s degree in computer engineering, plus her work record at Stover’s, had landed her a job at Corbin PC’s. In the last four months she’d been serving as chief engineer of software which meant working part of every day with Gabe.
Even so, theirs had remained a professional relationship in the sense that he never pried into her personal life, and she knew next to nothing about his.
But she shouldn’t have forgotten the driving force of his personality, or his native curiosity about life. Both traits had propelled him to heights even those in the world of high finance marveled over.
“This must be so difficult for you. Can you have children?” He prodded.
She shuddered.
Infertile. The dreaded word.
Being unable to conceive was another fear of hers. Maybe something was so wrong with her female reproductive system, her eggs weren’t good. Unfortunately she would never have a chance to find out now.
“I have no idea,” she answered at last. “I’ve never been married.”
“But that hasn’t precluded you from living with a man. I understand you and Bret have been liv—”
“The office gossip is wrong!” She cut him off.
What a fool she’d been to date Bret Weyland in the first place. As head of Corbin’s North American sales, he spent a lot of time working with Gabe, too. That was the only reason she’d gone out with him, to prove to herself Gabe didn’t mean anything to her. Unfortunately everything had backfired and she’d hurt Bret in the process.
“That’s odd,” Gabe’s deep voice came back. “Bret intimated just the opposite when we saw each other in the lobby last night.”
Andrea let out an angry gasp. “Then he lied. I broke up with him over a month ago!”
“He’s one of my top people. Why would he fabricate something like that?” her boss persisted.
She tossed her head back, causing her honey-blond hair to brush her shoulders. “Why does anyone when they’re in pain? Look—if you must know, I’ve never slept with a man, let alone lived with one.”
His pewter-gray eyes narrowed in disbelief. The lashes fringing them were as black as his curly hair. With such a proud nose, and jaws that needed shaving often, there had to be a generous portion of Southern European blood flowing through his veins.
“I don’t know why that’s such a surprise,” she remarked when he didn’t say anything. “There are lots of women who want a wedding ring on their finger first. However the joke’s on me. I saved myself for marriage to my own detriment.”
She heard the slight tremor in her voice and shot to her feet, mortified he might have detected it. Now was the time to say what needed to be said and get out of there before she broke down sobbing.
“My doctor has an opening in his surgery schedule next week. I’ll work with Darrell today and tomorrow so he’s prepared to take over. In six weeks you’ll find he’s the perfect person to replace me.”
Gabe’s laserlike gaze might as well have pinned her to a wall. “What’s this all about, Andrea?”
It’s about you.
“I once told you that my parents run a gift shop in Scarsdale. They’ve always wanted me to work in the family business. I told them I would when the time was right. Now that they’re getting older and tire more easily, I can see that day has come.”
“Like hell it has,” he bit out with uncharacteristic violence though he never raised his voice. “You came in here asking for sick leave and ended up telling me you’re going to quit. I’ll fire Bret before I let that happen.”
“No—you mustn’t do that!” Her blue eyes implored him. “The truth is, I turned him down when he asked me to move in with him. I’m not in love with him. He’s only been trying to save face in front of you and everyone else.”
A strange look realigned the expression of Gabe’s striking features, one she couldn’t read. He sat back in the chair, eyeing her with disturbing scrutiny. “I didn’t realize.”
“You can’t hold that against him.”
“I won’t.”
“Thank you,” she whispered in relief.
“You’re welcome. I have to say your concern for him is admirable. Too bad more people don’t have your decency.”
Her head lowered. “Don’t make me out to be a saint. I should have known better than to get involved with a colleague. It’s a plan for disaster.”
Andrea was so in love with Gabe, she hadn’t been aware of Bret’s deepest feelings. Not until a lot of damage had been done. But no other man could compete with the one seated in front of her. His brilliant intellect and sheer male appeal made it impossible for her to see anyone else.
Though she’d been vehement in her denial, Bret had figured out she was in love with her boss and had accused her of it. Still, she had no idea his jealousy had driven him to tell Gabe something that wasn’t true.
The whole situation had become untenable.
She took a calming breath and said, “Since I’ll be recuperating at my parents’ home, it will be the perfect time for me to resign. Darrell can consult with me over the phone during my recovery period. Your company won’t feel a ripple.”
“Have you considered your other option?”
His question