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'It's just very refreshing, being with a woman who eats. Normally women pick at their food.'
'Don't remind me. My appetite is my biggest failing,' Keely told him gloomily as he topped up their wineglasses.
'Why? You hardly need to watch your weight—you've got a fabulous figure.'
Her eyes lifted to his and she blushed gently at the reminder that he was fairly intimately acquainted with her figure after the kiss they'd shared the previous night.
They stared at each other for a long moment, awareness sizzling between them. Then Zach stood up abruptly, his chair scraping the floor as he moved away from the table.
Keely took a deep breath and tried to slow her pulse rate. They'd gone from comfortable to awkward in the space of a second.
'Listen, Keely...' He turned to face her and his voice was rough. 'About last night—'
'We already discussed last night, Zach,' she reminded him calmly, 'and you made your position quite clear.'
A muscle worked in his jaw. 'I was wrong to kiss you—'
'Stop worrying,' she said quietly. 'It was just a kiss. This may come as a surprise to y
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. 'Maybe, but that's no excuse on my part. I should have shown some self-control.'
She was glad that he hadn't. Which was ridiculous, of course, because that kiss had left her wanting something she knew she couldn't have.
'I don't know why you're worrying. Let's just try and forget it,' she suggested lightly, standing up and loading her plate into the dishwasher.
'Can you do that?'
She looked him straight in the eye and summoned up her best acting skills. 'Of course. I've already told you that I've moved beyond the stage of childish crushes.'
It was a half-truth. She'd definitely moved beyond childish crushes. But what about the more adult version?
He hesitated, his eyes searching hers. 'Keely, if you want to move out I'll understand.'
'Move out?' Her eyes widened. 'Do you want me to move out?'
'Of course I don't. You're fantastic with Phoebe, even when she's at her most difficult, and you're helping me out of a very tight spot. I'd have to be mad to want to let you go. But you're making all the sacrifices.'
'I'm helping a friend,' she said gently, touching his arm. 'And I'll carry on helping for just as long as you need me. Now, are you going to relax and make us both some coffee or are you going to continue scowling at me?'
She busied h
erself tidying up the kitchen, hoping that he'd drop the subject. She didn't want to be forced to examine her feelings for him too closely. She had a feeling that what she might find would scare her even more than Zach.
The rest of the week passed quickly and on Friday Keely was snatching a well-deserved cup of coffee in the staff common room when Adam came into the room.
'OK, who's the best with screaming toddlers?' He flopped into one of the chairs and pulled a face. 'I've totally failed, I'm afraid. I can't get near the child.'
Nicky grinned. 'I thought you had children of your own.'
'I have.' Adam looked sheepish. 'My wife deals with the difficult bits. Tantrums are her department.'
Keely took pity on him and stood up. 'What's the story?'
'Head injury and, frankly, it's heading fast for another one if it doesn't stop flinging itself on the ground.'
'You'd probably strike up a better relationship if you didn't refer to the child as "it",' Keely said dryly, walking towards the door and looking towards Nicky. 'Any help on offer?'
'Zoe is already down in the paediatric area,' Nicky said hurriedly. 'And she's a qualified paediatric nurse. Much better with toddlers than I am.'
