Page 16 of Only for Christmas

‘I’ll be discreet,’ he said, heading for the door. ‘Plus, I like to live dangerously. What would you like? Latte? Cappuccino? Americano?’

Carla laughed like he was the funniest guy on the planet. ‘What are you like?’

‘Did I say something amusing?’

She came over and patted his shoulder. ‘There’s only one type of coffee available. Instant. But thanks for the laugh, I needed that.’

‘Are you saying you brought me that awful stuff because that’s all they had?’

‘Yep. Although they do have a selection of teas. Earl Grey, English breakfast and camomile. We take our tea very seriously.’

He rolled his eyes. ‘Well, you need to start taking your coffee seriously.’

He went in search of the food hall, which he’d now learnt was called a canteen. Tomorrow he’d be bringing in a flask.

As he joined the queue, his attention was drawn to the woman standing in front of him. It was her hair that sparked his interest. Long, dark and glossy, like the mirror glaze his mom used on her cakes. Added to the faint waft of camomile, and he was transported back to Monday evening when he’d got up close and personal with his new neighbour. Not in a romantic sense, more like his high school wrestling days.

‘Hey, there,’ he said, clearing his throat as the queue shuffled forwards. When she didn’t respond, he tapped her on the shoulder. ‘Remember me?’

Her shoulder twitched, as if she was shrugging him off, before she glanced back and her face switched from a frown to shock. ‘You?’

He gave a little wave. ‘Yep, it’s me. Lucas. Your neighbour. Sarah, right?’

Her brown eyes grew wide, and he might have enjoyed the sudden flush of pink in her cheeks if she hadn’t groaned like he was all her nightmares rolled into one. As she stepped away from him, she landed on the foot of the woman in front, making her yelp.

The woman spun around. ‘Jesus, Sarah, mind what you’re doing with those heels.’ Her frown disappeared when she spotted Lucas. ‘Well, hello there, Dr Moore!’

Lucas frowned. ‘You know who I am?’

‘I make a point of getting to know all the new doctors.’ Her smile turned flirtatious. ‘I mean, staff. It’s not like I’m only interested in the doctors.’ Her laugh was loud, and she made no attempt to hide the fact that she was checking him out. She stuck out her hand. ‘Georgia Brown – I work in finance.’

Lucas shook her hand, struggling to withdraw it when she didn’t immediately let go.

Georgia nudged Sarah in the ribs. ‘This is Dr Moore, Sarah. Remember me telling you about the new doctor?’

If Georgia Brown was drooling like he was her next hot meal, then her colleague was looking at him like he was dog food. Apt, really, considering the other night.

‘You… work here?’ she said, panic in her eyes.

‘Started this week, covering maternity leave for one of the general practitioners.’

‘You’re a doctor?’ She didn’t sound impressed.

‘I’m not sure they’d let me loose on the patients if I wasn’t.’

‘Ooh, he does sarcasm.’ Georgia nudged Sarah again. ‘Unusual for an American. I like it. So, where are you from, cowboy?’

‘Duluth, Minnesota.’

‘Cool, not that I know where that is, but it sounds exotic.’

He raised an eyebrow. Her geography was worse than his. ‘Not really.’ He focused on Sarah, who was looking rather pale now the colour had drained from cheeks. She was wearing a smart navy suit, so he figured she wasn’t medical staff. ‘What do you do at the hospital, Sarah?’

‘Oh, she’s head of human resources,’ Georgia said, answering for her. ‘One of the top brass. Very important. Total badass.’

Lucas smiled at Sarah. ‘I’ll know who to come to if I have any issues.’

Georgia nudged Sarah again. ‘You hear that? He’s going to come to you if he has any issues. Lucky you.’

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