Even the sharpness of Amber's first response couldn't dent Foreman's mood. All the more because as soon as she saw him, her annoyance vanished in a heartbeat. If she'd been frustrated, it didn't show now. Foreman's chest warmed. God, it was good to see her, as happy that he was there as he was. And she didn't waste time, either, but dropped her files and took up his teasing with a vengeance. The relaxed, fluid sense of laughter that had been with him all day intensified, and Foreman grinned at her, completely taken in. The whole hospital knows, he thought, and this time, it wasn't a warning, wasn't even a reason to hustle them both out of here as fast as he could to get Amber alone. It didn't matter. He'd never taken such pleasure in that thought before. Let them think what they wanted. For once, even if it didn't last, he wasn't under the gun.

Foreman let the door click closed softly behind him, and met Amber halfway across the room. "That's a terrible line," he said, his voice warm with affection. It was like they'd already escaped the hospital. Keeping his gaze on Amber's face as an intent, teasing expression pushed away any sign of her annoyance made it seem like there were no other eyes in the world watching them. "I don't know if I can top it." Trying to think of the corniest, stupidest dialogue that ever could have graced a cheesy porno movie, Foreman raised his eyebrow, considering. "Yeah," he said, reaching out to grab Amber's hips and, with a sharp, decisive tug, pull her closer. "I've got this inguinal swelling that probably needs some hands-on attention."

He couldn't keep a straight face, and winced at his own awful attempt. Even self-consciously trying to give her the worst possible line hadn't stopped it from heating his face with embarrassment. He peered at Amber through narrowed eyes to see if she'd laugh at him for even trying. "I'm not going to do that again."