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“I’m sorry,” Harry said. “Please, tell me.”
“I get nervous talking to you. I’m not sure how to act around you after what we did. And now here I am blabbering about feuds over garden statues.”
“Youget nervous talking to me?”
“Well, a small-town country girl hasn’t got anything interesting to say to the big city doctor.”
“Not true. She tells stories about famous kangaroo statues and gnomes for a start. And volunteers for the fire brigade and herds sheep.” He scratched the scruff on his chin. “Can I confess something to you?”
“Only if it’s dirty,” I said in a low voice.
“Touché.” Harry laughed, his eyes briefly flicking to my lips. “I was worried about being in the country for eight weeks. I thought it would be boring. I know I haven’t even stayed a week yet, but it’s been anything but boring. And I was serious about everyone being great so far. Except Doug, of course. Still a douche.”
I smiled.
“And,” Harry cleared his throat. “If you want to talk to me about anything, I’ll always make time to listen. I’d like to be your friend.”
“A friend?”
Did he just ask to be willingly put in the friendzone?We stared for several beats, the noise of the wall clock echoing in the silence.Can two people who had had a one-night stand even be friends? Sure, there’s friends-with-benefits—
“I don’t want to be an enemy or a stranger, Stacey. I like you.”
My stomach dropped. I didn’t date doctors. I wanted to be friends, right?
“I’d like to be friends, too,” I coughed, grabbing another file. “We should get these finished.”
Harry clicked the mouse several times. “Good idea. I’m starving.”
An hour and a half later, all of the notes had been entered. Harry insisted I leave the hard copy files on his desk, promising he’d return them to the records room before we opened tomorrow.
“What’s good to eat around here?”
“Oh, it’s Thursday night so the Thai restaurant should be open and it’s pretty good. Probably not what you’re used to in the city. There’s Indian at the Commercial Hotel but it’s a longer walk there.”
“Thai sounds great.” Harry shrugged as he pulled on his leather jacket. “You’re talking to someone who’s been living on the lunchroom biscuits this week and has survived on hospital cafeteria food for years.”
One mention of hospital food and memories of the procedures and operations I’d had in the last ten years came to me thick and fast.
I shuddered. “I couldn’t stand working in a hospital.”
“To be honest, the last couple of years haven’t been great.” Harry stilled. “Actually, it’s been shit.”
“Did you quit? Is that why you’re here?”
I put on my woollen coat and scarf, turning towards him, catching his face contorted in disgust and anger.
“Hospital shifts wreck your social life,” he said flatly, ushering me ahead towards the back door. “It’s all well and good if you have a couple of days off in between shifts but if none of your friends are off too then it sucks.”
I said nothing. That reason didn’t match the look on his face.
“I haven’t quit my job. I’m on leave to focus on my health. Running, bit of footy, eating good food, temporary work as a country doctor.”
I nodded as we exited. Harry locked the door and he now grinned easily. “What I’m saying is you don’t have to worry about me critiquing your food scene in Stanmore or Ballydoon. Although John’s steak and roast potatoes at the pub are going to ruin me. Best meal ever.”
“Ha! The pub truly has the best steak around.”
But I couldn’t help but notice Harry’s grin didn’t reach his eyes.
