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Chapter 1

A stack of handouts tumbled from Myrna’s laptop case to the floral-patterned carpet Un-freakin'-believable She’d forgotten to zip the comparth, she bent to gather the scattered papers Could this day suck a little ," fol owed by enthusiastic cheers came from across the lobby near the elevators Wel , soht It certainly wasn’t her

She cra and jerked the zipper closed before continuing through the overdone hotel lobby on her way to her sixth-floor roo, hot bath sounded like heaven How had she let her associate dean talk her into presenting at this stupid conference in the first place? What a total waste of time The other professors in her field wouldn’t know an innovative idea if it stood on its head and sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" And why did she care what her col eagues thought of her methods anyway?

Students loved her classes They were always fulShe had waiting lists for--

Steps echoed hers The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end She paused--her heart racing, palms damp Whoever fol owed stopped several steps behind her She could hear hi

Jeremy?

No It couldn’t be her ex-husband He didn’t kno to find her Right? Tel that to the cold sweat trickling between her brsts She clutched the handle of her laptop case, prepared to clobber whoever was dureat seminar, Dr Evans," an unfamiliar voice said to her back

Not Jerelanced over her shoulder A lanky, fortyish man extended his hand in her direction "Who would ever think to use guitar riffs in discussions of huy? Not me I mean, I’m sold on the method I’m just not sure I can pul it off with your level of, uh…" He cleared his throat

"… enthusias to the neckline of her tailored, gray suit Her heart stil hae to throttle him and extended her free hand to accept his handshake "Thank you, Mister uh…"

When his fingers wrapped around hers, his smile spread ear-to-ear "Doctor Doctor Frank Elroy from Stanford Abnormal Psych Head of the department, actual y"

Ah, Doctor Ass Doctor Pompous Ass I’ve met you before Thousands of times