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The vehe, but he stood his ground “When I boarded that plane to Miao and Dr Luiz’s position would be filled by someone other than me”

“Right” She rolled her eyes “You, the great Dr Matthew Cole to hire you? Puh-lease”

“I was never told it was your job, Natalie” He wanted to be clear on that “Dr L

uiz, nor the board, ever mentioned any intent to offer the position to you Not once” She acted as if he’d intentionally taken so He’d needed this opportunity in Memphis and when it was offered he’d taken it “Were you told they were going to offer you the position?”

The pain that flittered across her face stabbed into Matthew’s chest Never had he wanted to hurt Natalie Far, far from it But they needed to clear the record on what had happened, to establish soether Maybe it would even be easier on them both if she hated him

“No, but I was given reason to believe it would happen” Her face full of accusation, she asked, “For the record, if you had been aware of the possibility that the job would otherwise be ?”

Technically, he had known it was a possibility, but even if he’d been point-blank told the job was hers if he said no, his reasons for wanting to relocate to Memphis took precedence

Carrie took precedence

He shook his head “No”

A steely resolve settled into her eyes “I don’t want you here”

“I think you’ve already established that” He moved toward her, stopped when she flinched and backed away as if she couldn’t stand the thought of hih to touch her

He ra stupid Like doing just that The last thing he needed was to touch Natalie They ork colleagues now Nothing more

“My reasons for relocating have nothing to do with you,” he assured “I met with the hospital board and Dr Luiz the day prior to flying to Mia to ht that was the end of it, until Dr Luiz called to say the board had reconsidered”

She didn’t look any less ticked, just more suspicious “When was that?”

“A o”