The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Barry indeed had slipped up, cutting off Logan before he could get a word in. It wasn't on purpose, though.

Throughout their brief interaction, Logan struck Barry as a man of few words but deep thoughts. Worried about putting Logan in an

awkward position, Barry had otten the man already knew Faye.

Throughout the inspection, Logan kept to himself, not uttering a single word to Barry, who in turn, didn't dare strike up another

conversation, effectively rendering himself invisible.

"Let's call it a day here. Go do your thing; don't worry about me," Logan said, closing his clipboard with a slight bow of his head.

Barry barely contained his relief. "Sure thing, Logan. Holler if you need me."

Preferably not.

Barry dared not say that last bit out loud, but it crossed his mind as he quickly vanished from sight.

As Logan stepped onto the balcony to take a breather, he caught snippets of a conversation. Someone had beaten him to this quiet

spot.

Without a second thought, Logan turned to leave, but then a familiar nstopped him in his tracks.

"Did you hear? The new guy, Logan, knows Faye. They even greeted each other today."

"When did that happen? I've been so swamped today; | didn't even catch a glimpse of this Logan guy. Hope he's not just another

high-and-mighty type with a big belly."

"Cut it out with the stereotypes! Logan's actually pretty handsome. He tried greeting Faye earlier, but the director swooped in and

whisked him away before he could. Faye told him to go ahead with his duties, | saw everything."

"l even caught them greeting from the emergency exit. Barry was there too, but it was like he wasn't even there—the vibe between

Logan and Faye was just off."

It started as mere gossip until a discordant voice chimed in.

"Pfft, she's only here because of her unknown department head, and all the male doctors are tripping over themselves to get her

attention. And that Barry guy? Always hovering around her. Now there's Logan. She really can't seem to stay out of trouble."

The speaker seemed to carry sauthority, silencing the gossipers immediately.

Logan was about to confront the group when his phone vibrated with a message from Faye.

"About tfor lunch. Wanna joinin the cafeteria? It's a good chance to show you around."

His expression darkened as he glanced back at the door, but he headed to meet Faye as planned.

Arriving at the cafeteria, Logan turned heads. Young women and even selders couldn't help but give him a second look, some

even inquiring if he was single. Logan politely declined, waiting patiently for Faye.

Fifteen minutes later, Faye appeared, but so did an unwee guest.

A man in a white coat blocked her path. "Faye, may | have a moment?"

Faye frowned. "Dr. Abernasy, what's up?"

"I was hoping we could have lunch together. I've got a few questions to ask you," Dr. Abernasy said, his gaze intense.

Faye recoiled at his aggressive demeanor. "Sorry, Dr. Abernasy, I've got plans. Let's talk after work."

But Dr. Abernasy grabbed her wrist. "Are you avoiding me, Faye?"

"I told you, | have plans!" Faye struggled, but his grip was tight.

Logan quickly intervened.

"Faye always dines alone once a month, who could possibly have her attention today?" Dr. Abernashy scoffed, advancing. "I just

wanted to ask you squestions. Why the rejection?"

His scream turned heads as Logan's grip tightened, amanding presence emanating from him.

"Dr. Abernasy, you're mistaken. I'm the one Faye's meeting. She said no, so back off," Logan said, his tone brooking no argument.

Dr. Abernasy quickly pleaded for mercy, insisting his intentions were innocent.

Faye, worried about the public spectacle, urged Logan to let go for his own reputation's sake.

Reluctantly, Logan released the doctor, warning him to stay away from Faye before tossing him aside like trash.

Dr. Abernasy, humiliated, watched Logan and Faye walk away, venom in his gaze.

Dr. Abernasy was seething with rage, his thoughts a tempest of fury. "Just another plaything for my amusement," he sneered in the

privacy of his own mind, brooding over Faye with a venomous disdain. "Pretending to be so high and mighty!"

Meanwhile, Logan's mood hadn't improved by the the and Faye reached the campus diner, his face a storm cloud of irritation.

Faye, ever the peacemaker, offered him her drink. "Still sulking, huh?"

Her nonchalant attitude only served to stoke the fires of Logan's annoyance. Faye, with a teasing smile, tried to brush off the

tension. "You were there, weren't you? | knew you were watching. And look, nothing happened, so why dwell on it?"

"And what if | hadn't been there today?" Logan's gaze held an unspoken turmoil. "What would you have done then? It's clear he's a

repeat offender; this isn't the first the's harassed you. And as a department head, why haven't you reported him to the

administration?"

"What good would that do?" Faye sighed, a weight in her voice. "Our positions are nearly equal, and without any concrete

evidence, not to mention his uncle is the deputy dean. It's a mess."

"I chere wanting to make it on my own," she continued, a note of determination in her voice. "So, I'd rather not drag my

parents into this whole sordid affair."