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‘I’m not sure that they will. You have to think of something else.’
‘No, you have to think of something else. Someone else, to be precise. Christian Blake isn’t for you.’ Jane’s voice was serious. ‘You’re going to get hurt.’
‘I can’t believe you’re saying that! You were the one who thought I should have a fling!’
‘A fling, yes. A lifetime of agony because you’ve fallen in love with a guy who isn’t interested in a relationship, no. That isn’t what I wanted for you.’
‘How do you know I’m in love with him?’
‘Because I know you.’
Lara breathed out heavily. ‘Why is it that I can never meet anyone I even remotely like and then finally when I meet someone that turns my whole life upside down, he’s got two children and he isn’t interested?’
‘And you have a ticket to Australia,’ Jane reminded her. ‘A month ago you were excited about going. You need to get away and stop deluding yourself. Go and sit on Bondi Beach and look at some half-naked Australian men. They should take your mind off Christian.’
Lara looked at her, unconvinced. ‘Yes. I’ll do that.’
What choice did she have?
* * *
‘There’s a reduction in Bohler’s angle.’ Christian stared at Eddie’s X-ray on the light box, trying not to be aware of Lara by his side. She smelt fantastic. ‘It’s a sign of compression.’
It took her a moment to respond and, when he glanced at her, he saw that her expression was vacant. What was she thinking? ‘Lara?’
She gave a little start and peered at the X-ray. ‘Oops. Well, I suppose that’s what you get when you drink a bottle of champagne and misjudge your landing.’
Eddie sighed. ‘Is it bad?
Christian turned away from the light box. ‘We need to refer you to the orthopaedic team. They’ll decide how best to handle you but they’re going to want to admit you.’
The man closed his eyes. ‘Merry Christmas, Eddie.’
‘It’s not as bad as all that.’ Lara walked across to him and gave him a sympathetic smile. ‘Hospitals are fun places to be at Christmas.’
‘Really?’
‘Actually, no. It’s a myth that hospitals are fun. Everyone who is well enough goes home so the only people left are very sick.’ Her eyes twinkled. ‘And then there are the patients…’
Eddie laughed but Christian found himself unable to drag his gaze from Lara, unable to look away from t
he dimple at the corner of her mouth. It appeared every time she smiled and that was most of the time. He loved her irrepressible sense of humour.
And she was wonderful with patients.
She had a natural feel for how to handle each case and modified her behaviour accordingly. When the patient was seriously injured she was calm and reassuring, but when the injuries were less serious she had a light-hearted touch that never failed to make patients laugh.
She was the most talented nurse he’d ever worked with.
And she kissed like a man’s hottest fantasy.
Was he doing the right thing, resisting the chemistry?
A thud of lust threatened to destroy his self-control and he gritted his teeth. He pulled the X-rays out of the light box and slid them back into the brown envelope. ‘The orthopaedic team are on their way down to see you now.’
‘Is there anyone you want me to phone?’ Lara took a pad out of her pocket. ‘Girlfriend? Mother? Boss? Santa?’
Eddie pulled a face. ‘Unfortunately for my promotion prospects, my boss was there when I jumped so you don’t need to call him. For goodness’ sake, don’t call my mother because I’ll never hear the last of it. I suppose you could call my girlfriend, although she won’t be too pleased, either. She had plans for Christmas.’
