Excerpt
His stare was unrelenting. Tiffany Brooks glimpsed him standing in the hall as she redistributed letters in the mailroom. She became aware of the tall figure facing her dressed in a black fire department uniform as he stood near the open door. His dark eyes captured her attention first, and she noticed he didn’t blink or stir when she looked at him. She determined he didn’t like what he saw. She grew uncomfortable and hung her head. Why didn’t he just look away if he were that horrified? She acknowledged the fact that she wasn’t the tiniest or the prettiest woman in the world, but staring at her was demoralizing and the last thing she needed. Her short glimpse was long enough to detect he was well above average in looks. His dark complexion, his almost black hair, professionally cut and groomed, and his broad shoulders that complemented his perfect physique were enough to make her stare back; but men like him didn’t find her attractive.
She strained to give the envelopes her undivided attention. Why couldn’t the mailroom get this right? Everyone who worked at The Hospital of Our Mother didn’t work in the Business Office. If the staff didn’t recognize the name, the mail ended up in her slot and then she had to take the time to redistribute it.
When she looked up again, he was gone. She blew in relief and hurried back to her office. She didn’t want to be there if he came back.

*****

Steve Garner hated doing inspections in hospitals. They took all day because checks were thorough, and the inspectors usually found violations that merited a revisit in thirty days. Today was unlike the others. He sensed a different feeling in the air, an awareness of unexplained anticipation.
They made their rounds on the ground floor, and he gave the mailroom a quick peek. There she stood with a stack of mail in her hands, concentrating on each envelope. He heard her mumble under her breath and sigh as she placed the envelopes in different slots. He wanted to walk away but his attraction to her bound him where he stood. This woman was stunning. Her dark brown, curly hair rested on her shoulders and she nonchalantly brushed it off her smooth, rosy cheek.
His eyes traveled down. She wasn’t a small woman, but her curves were in the right places, and he wondered what it felt like to hold her close with his long arms wrapped around her waist. He imagined the softness of her lips melded to his. He wouldn’t walk away. He wanted her to notice him, and he watched her with patience as she concentrated on her work. It was apparent she spotted him in the corner of her eye and she glanced his way. Their eyes met and he didn’t flinch or blink. He wanted her to know he was watching her. Her glance was fleeting before giving the envelopes her concentration once more. She didn’t look his way again, and he gave her one last glance before walking away. He saw attractive women all the time, but this one was different and he couldn’t dismiss her from his mind. He wondered if he’d ever encounter her again. Probably not. He wished he had spoken.