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go to her. He transferred his attention to McKenzie instead. ‘Hello, there.’ He grinned. ‘Are you ready?’ She nodded and he signed, ‘Come in.’
    Paige held fast to her daughter’s hand and didn’t move. ‘You don’t have to do this. Ellen will be in soon. You have surgery.’
    She didn’t know why she was so resistant to Valentino switching on the implant. A few weeks ago she wouldn’t have cared less had it been a trained monkey. But this man, this sexy Italian playboy surgeon, was different. There was more than a professional connection between them, no matter how they tried to avoid it.
    There was intimacy. And Paige knew from bitter experience that intimacy left you vulnerable. Something she swore she’d never be again when it came to men.
    She doubted it would have mattered had she not slept with him. But she had. And while he was obviously a pro at separating himself from that, standing before him now, she knew she couldn’t.
    Valentino shrugged. ‘I had a cancellation.’
    Paige frowned as she searched her memory for this week’s theatre cases. ‘Who?’
    â€˜Paige.’ The reproach in his voice was heavy. ‘You’re off duty, remember?’
    â€˜I know. It’s just…’ Paige didn’t understand why she just couldn’t let it go. Why she was resisting. ‘That’s why we have two audiologists so the surgeon is free to operate.’
    â€˜And miss the pay-off? This is the best part of my job, Paige. That moment when my patient hears something for the first time. It’s what makes it all worthwhile.’
    Paige felt humbled by his response. And petty for equivocating. Every day since McKenzie’s surgery tempting edible treats had arrived on her doorstep. From flaky pastries to scrumptious pizzas to the richest of chocolates. All from Valentino.
    She’d been trying to dismiss him as a charming, love-them-and-leave-them pretty boy but how could she when confronted not only with his gifts but his heartfelt words? He was a great surgeon, good with his patients, excellent with their mothers and obviously emotionally invested in the gift he gave.
    After everything he’d done for her, could she really deny him the rewards?
    McKenzie spied the low kiddy table strewn with puzzles and tugged on Paige’s hand, dragging her into the office. Paige let an eager McKenzie go and shut the door behind her.
    â€˜Why don’t you sit down with McKenzie while I get set up?’
    Paige nodded and walked on wobbly legs to the table, sitting on the child-size chair beside her daughter.
    â€˜Has she had any repetition of those earlier dizzy episodes?’ Valentino asked as he tapped away at his computer.
    â€˜No.’ The first few days post-op Paige had noticed McKenzie would stagger a little on standing. She hadn’t been concerned, knowing it was directly attributable to the disruption of the inner ear and they’d settled quickly.
    Valentino pressed one last key on the laptop and glanced at Paige. ‘Okay. Ready. Let me check how the wound’s doing first.’
    He got up from his desk and took the seat on the other side of McKenzie. He tapped her hand and when she turned to him he signed and said, ‘How is your ear, McKenzie? Can I have a look, please?’
    McKenzie nodded her agreement and cocked her head to allow him access. He lifted the angelic curls that covered her right ear out of the way to expose the small shaved area where he’d operated. Two weeks ago there’d been some slight swelling over the bony area behind her ear but now it looked normal. ‘It’s healed beautifully,’ he murmured.
    He let her hair flop back over the site. ‘Okay, then,’ he said to Paige, but signed for McKenzie’s benefit. ‘Let’s fit the external component.’
    Paige nodded, apprehension swirling in her gut. ‘Dr Valentino is going to fit