Charlotte Hawkes – Unwrapping The Neurosurgeon's Heart (страница 7)
For a moment she thought he was going to laugh it off.
‘Be my guest at the gala.’
Something rocked her from the inside. Like thousands of butterflies all waking up from their hibernation, and beating their wings all at once.
She had never experienced anything like it.
‘Like...a date?’
‘Why not?’ he asked cheerfully.
As though it was no big deal to him.
It probably wasn’t.
‘With you?’
‘Your eagerness is a real ego boost for a man, you know that?’
She aimed a sceptical look in his direction.
‘I hardly think a man like you needs any more ego massages. You have women practically throwing themselves at you at every turn.’
‘I’m not asking them, though, am I?’ he pointed out. ‘I’m asking you.’
She schooled herself not to be sucked in. Not to fall into that age-old trap. But it wasn’t as easy as it had been for all those other men who had flirted with her over the years.
Anouk gritted her teeth.
‘Is that why you’re inviting me? Because you don’t like the fact that I’m not falling over myself to flirt with you?’
‘That’s exactly it,’ he replied, deadpan. ‘I find my ego can’t take the knockback.’
‘Sarcastic much?’ she muttered, but a small smile tugged at her mouth despite herself.
‘I’ll pick you up at half-past seven.’
‘I might be on duty.’
‘You aren’t.’ He shrugged.
‘I beg your pardon?’
‘Relax. I was just checking the rotas before and I don’t remember seeing your name.’
She told herself that it meant nothing. It was pure coincidence.
‘What makes you think I want to go?’
‘What else are you doing that night? It’s fun, and, hey, you can do something for charity at the same time.’
He was impressively convincing.
‘People will think I’m just the next notch on your bedpost.’
‘Some women are happy to have that accolade.’
‘I am not
‘No,’ he agreed. ‘You are not.’
The compliment rolled through her, making long-dormant parts of her body unfurl and stretch languidly. Her head was rapidly losing this battle with her body.
‘How about this?’ he suggested. ‘I’ll give you my ticket and you can take Saskia, or whoever you want, as your plus one.’
‘You would give me your ticket?’
‘Sure. That way you won’t feel like I’m trying to obligate you in any way.’
‘And I could take anyone?’
‘Of course.’
She narrowed her eyes.
‘Even a date of my own?’
‘Oof!’ He clutched his stomach as though she’d delivered a punch to his gut, making her laugh exactly as he’d clearly intended. ‘You know where to strike a man, don’t you? Yes, even a date of your own.’
‘And you would miss out? On something as important to you as you’ve suggested these young carers are?’
‘Oh, I won’t miss out,’ he said airily. ‘I’ll just go as someone else’s plus one.’
It shouldn’t hurt to hear. Yet it did. Anouk arranged her features into what she hoped was a neutral expression.
‘Of course. You must have a whole host of potential dates just waiting for you to call.’
‘So many it can become exhausting at times,’ he concurred blithely.
‘I’ll leave the tickets behind the Resus desk for you before your shift ends tomorrow.’
And then, before she could answer, or say anything uncharacteristically stupid, Sol walked away. The way they probably both should have done ten minutes earlier.
‘THIS PLACE IS STUNNING,’ Anouk breathed as she gazed up at the huge sandstone arches that lined either side of the gala venue, and then up again to the breathtaking vaulted ceiling.
‘Isn’t it?’ Saskia demurred.
‘I feel positively shabby by comparison.’
‘Well, you don’t look it.’ Saskia laughed and Anouk wondered if she’d imagined the tension she’d noted in her friend over the past few months. ‘You look like you’re sparkling, and it isn’t just the new dress. Although I’m glad you let me talk you into buying it.’
‘I’m glad I let you talk me into buying it, too,’ admitted Anouk, smoothing her hands over the glorious fabric.
It was amazing how much confidence the dress was giving her, from its fitted body and plunging sweetheart neckline to its mermaid hemline. Three strings of jewelled, off-the-shoulder straps swished over her upper arms whilst the royal-blue colour seemed to complement her blonde hair perfectly.
‘You look totally Hollywood.’
‘Don’t.’ Anouk shuddered, knowing Saskia was the one person she could be honest with. ‘I think I’ve had enough of Hollywood to last me a lifetime.’
‘Me, too. But still, the look is good.’
‘Maybe I should have been in more festive colours.’ She glanced at Saskia’s own, stunning emerald dress, which had looked gorgeous on the rack, but on her friend’s voluptuously feminine body seemed entirely bespoke, complementing Saskia’s dark skin tone to perfection.
‘I look like a Christmas tree.’ Her friend laughed, before waving towards the glorious eighteen-foot work of art, complete with elegant decorations, that dominated the entrance. ‘Although if I looked
‘You look even better, and you know it.’ Anouk laughed. ‘You’ve only just walked in and you’ve turned a dozen heads.’
‘They’re probably looking at you, and, either way, I don’t care. Tonight, Anouk, we’re going to relax and enjoy ourselves.’
‘We are?’
‘We are.’ Saskia was firm, taking a champagne flute from the tray of a passing waiter, her beam of thanks making the poor guy fall for her instantly. ‘Starting with this.’
She passed the drink to Anouk.