Never Too Late by Julie Blair Page A

if she were back in the heat of Atlanta. She stared into amber eyes she still recognized after all these years. She hesitated, then extended her hand as questions swarmed.
    “Dr. Hammond, this is Carla Grant. Can I get you anything to drink, Carla?”
    “I’m fine. Thank you, Betty,” Carla said.
    “Please, sit down.” Jamie motioned toward the chair across from her desk. Carly’s—no, Carla’s—voice still had the barest hint of Southern accent, and Jamie’s cheeks burned as random memories circled her. She searched for recognition in the eyes that had once looked at her with desire. Nothing. Just a polite smile. Carla didn’t recognize her. Why would she? It was one night—a straight girl’s experiment. But what was Carla doing here? Did Renee have any idea they’d once known each other? Of course not.
    Jamie picked up the resume and studied it, buying herself some time. There was no tactful way to end the interview. She could get through fifteen minutes. But explaining to Betty and Renee that she hadn’t hired Carla would be a problem. Realizing she’d left her iPod on, she reached behind her to turn it off. The song was one Melissa had played that night in Atlanta. When she looked back at Carla, there was no sign the song meant anything to her.
    “You ran a dentist’s office.” Jamie’s eyes drifted to Carla’s hands folded in her lap. The ring was right where it should be. She clenched her jaw. Yep, a straight girl’s experiment.
    “Yes, for thirteen years.” Carla uncrossed her legs and then crossed them again, settling her hands back in her lap.
    “Why did you leave?” Jamie’s voice came out sharper than she meant.
    “Dr. Rose died last spring of cancer.”
    “And since then?” Just ask a few questions and get this over with.
    “I got my daughter settled at college and decided the best antidote to empty-nest syndrome was to go back to work. I like being useful and I’m good at what I do.”
    This woman radiated poise and confidence. Was she really that innocent, shy woman in Atlanta? “Why aren’t you looking for a dentist’s office to run?” Did she already have a family when they met?
    “Renee Rapp said this job would be a perfect fit for me.”
    “How do you know Renee?” If they were just casual friends it would be easier to explain to Renee why she didn’t hire Carla.
    “We’ve been good friends since our daughters played soccer together. I’ve even been rooked into helping with a fundraiser or two. I’m sure you know how pointless it is to argue with her.”
    Jamie laughed in spite of her self-consciousness. “She’s about as subtle as a steam roller.” An argument was exactly what she’d get if she tried to explain to Renee why Carla wasn’t perfect for the job. Hadn’t she said she’d hire the next even moderately qualified applicant? No, this was crazy. Looking at the picture of her father she knew what he’d say—do what was in the best interest of the clinic. And Penni? She didn’t even want to think about that.
    “Our billing system is different from what you’re used to.” Maybe she wouldn’t want the job.
    Carla looked surprised before she said, “I had no trouble learning Dr. Rose’s. I’m sure I could learn yours.”
    Jamie tapped her pen on the desk. She didn’t really have a choice. This wasn’t personal. It was business. And what difference did it make if they had a past? Just one night and they’d both moved on. She was being ridiculous. With a competent office manager she’d get this mess cleaned up that much quicker.
    She cleared her throat. “Before you consider whether this is the right job for you, I need to tell you something. I fired my office manager last month. She’d been embezzling and committing insurance fraud. I’m under investigation. It’s not a pretty picture, and you may not want to get involved.”
    Carla’s eyes held hers and Jamie thought she saw anger. Then she looked over Jamie’s shoulder, as if lost in