‘Wise enough not to fall for your flattery. You can’t charm me into making you a coffee the way you do with the young medical students.’ Natasha wasn’t so easily swayed by Evan’s gorgeous smile and big blue eyes, the way most were. Apart from being one of her best friends, she knew his incessant flirting never led to anything more. Since his breakup with Lynne, his ex, he hadn’t gotten involved with anyone else. Though that didn’t mean there wasn’t a gamut of women mooning after him hoping he’d get over his broken heart soon.
‘You know me too well, Tash.’
‘That’s Dr Harrison to you.’ He knew she hated him calling her Tash. Which was exactly why he did it. Evan was like the annoying big brother she’d never wanted, yet couldn’t imagine life without. They’d met at medical school and found themselves working in the same hospitals during placements, fated to be in each other’s lives, it seemed. Though never in any romantic way, since they’d both been in relationships up until recently. After being heartbroken and betrayed by both family and partners in the past, she felt he was one of the few people in her life she could trust.
‘So that’s a no on the coffee, then?’
Her narrow-eyed stare countered his smirk. ‘I have actual work to do. Max asked me to help with the family coming in that have been badly burned in a house fire, as he’s otherwise engaged. I assume that’s why you’re here too, to help with the casualties, and not simply to annoy me?’
Max Robertson was another paediatric surgeon working at the Great Northern, and he liked to keep abreast of new patients as they came in.
Evan shrugged. ‘If I can successfully manage both I’d call that a good day’s work.’
Natasha gave him a nudge with her shoulder. She knew he took this as seriously as she did, but the wait for the ambulance to arrive was always the nerve-wracking bit. They were powerless to do anything until the paramedics wheeled the casualties into the department, and Evan often used humour to deflect his real emotions. Once their patients were in situ, she knew he’d be the ultimate professional, and the best chance this family had of survival. Evan was the best burns specialist not only in the Great Northern Hospital, but in the UK. They were lucky to have an Edinburgh native with them, though his skills were often also required in their sister hospital, the Great Southern, in London.
‘Family of three. Father has superficial burns and is suffering from smoke inhalation. Mother has severe burns and is unresponsive. Daughter has severe burns and struggling to breathe.’ The paramedics burst through the double doors with the stretchers carrying the family they’d all been waiting for.
The atmosphere in the department immediately changed. It was charged, everyone ready to spring into action. Including Evan, who had already moved to meet the incoming patients and assess the extent of their injuries.
Natasha had a feeling they were going to be working closer than ever for the foreseeable future.
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