Sydney Harbour Hospital: Bella's Wishlist

She looked up at him as he spoke. The doorway was empty. She and Charlie were alone again.

It was probably just as well, she thought with a sigh. She didn’t have the time or the energy to deal with Finn Kennedy, esteemed cardiac surgeon, Head of Surgery and her most recent lover. Although that term was probably too generous. They’d shared one fiery sexual interlude but she couldn’t call it lovemaking. It had been steamy, fierce and passionate but without tenderness. It had been raw, impulsive and gratifying but it could not be repeated.

She did not have time to think about Finn Kennedy. She needed to stay in control and, where Finn was concerned, she’d already demonstrated an extreme lack of self-control.

She thanked Charlie and kissed his cheek before she left to get on with her day, hoping and praying for it to improve. She showered in Bella’s bathroom and changed into surgical scrubs. She hadn’t thought to ask Lexi to lend her some clean clothes and there was no way she’d fit into any of Bella’s things, even if Lexi had packed some choices other than pyjamas. At five feet nine inches, Evie was four inches taller than Bella and about two dress sizes bigger. While no one would call Evie plump, Bella was as thin as a whippet because of the cystic fibrosis.

She kissed Bella goodbye and headed for the lift to go to A and E. She yawned as she waited. She was halfway through the yawn when the lift doors slid open to reveal one occupant.

Finn.

Obviously she hadn’t been wishing hard enough for her day to improve.

All it took was one glance, no more than a second long, before her heart was racing in her chest. Her lips were dry and her face burned under the scrutiny of his gaze. She couldn’t let him see how he affected her.

She turned her back to push the button for the ground floor only to find it had already been pressed. No other buttons were lit. Which meant Finn was riding all the way down with her.

‘Late night?’ Finn’s deep, husky voice made her jump. She hadn’t expected him to speak to her. The way he’d looked at her earlier with his disapproving, ice-cold blue eyes she would have bet he’d ignore her. What was it about him? When she wanted him to talk he refused to open up to her yet when she wanted to be left in peace and quiet he had to engage her in conversation. He was so infuriating.

‘Yes.’ She turned to face him as she answered and saw him look her up and down. She knew he would notice what she was wearing.

‘I take it you couldn’t make it home?’

Yep, he’d noticed, and she knew what he was implying. She was tempted to let him think he was right but she was too tired to play games.

She glared at him. She was tired and worried. She’d let him take the brunt of her bad mood.

‘I spent the night in the cardiothoracic ward. Bella is in hospital again. She was admitted last night.’ She was happy if her comment made him feel bad. Why should she be the only one who worried about other people’s feelings?

He reached out a hand and took half a step towards her before he thought better of it. She could literally see him change his mind. His hand dropped to his side and his tone softened. ‘Evie, I’m sorry, I didn’t know. Is there anything I can do?’

Don’t be nice to me. I don’t know how to handle it if you’re nice. She was terrified she’d burst into tears in the lift. In front of Finn. ‘There’s nothing you can do unless you’re a miracle worker. She needs a pair of new lungs.’ She was snappy and defensive. It was the only way to ensure she didn’t crumble.

‘I doubt even the Lockheart name can get lungs to order.’ His tone was cool now, his blue eyes appraising. ‘I meant, is there anything I can do for you?’

‘What could you possibly do?’

‘I could organise for someone to cover your shift so you could be with Bella.’

Great, Finn hands you an olive branch and you set it on fire before you give it back. That’s just great. Well done, Evie.

She would love to take him up on his offer but she couldn’t back down now. It wasn’t in her nature and she certainly wasn’t about to give Finn the satisfaction of having the last word. ‘There’s nothing I can do for her,’ she said. Evie expected Bella to sleep for most of the day and Lexi was going to stay with her. ‘I’d rather be busy down here,’ she added as the lift doors opened and she stepped out into the emergency department. Work would ensure her mind was occupied. Staying busy was the best way to keep her mind off Bella’s situation. And off Finn.