WHEN Annie woke the next time, it was to find the afternoon sun peaking in from behind her closed curtains and her stomach growling with hunger. She frowned, wondering why she was in bed in the afternoon. She lifted the cotton sheet off her, surprised to find she was dressed in clothes, rather than her PJs.
Her answer came when she tried to get out of bed, amazed that every muscle in her body ached. She remembered she’d been ill.
‘Annie?’ Natasha walked into the room. ‘So finally you’re awake. Nice to have you back.’
Annie’s frown continued as she stared at Natasha. For some reason she’d thought Hayden was here.
‘How are you feeling?’
‘Terrible.’
Natasha nodded. ‘Every muscle aches?’
‘Yes.’
‘Good. You’re in third-stage recovery. You’ll feel a lot better tomorrow.’
‘I hope so.’ Annie managed to sit up. ‘I thought…Hayden was here.’
‘He was. He left just before eleven o’clock when I arrived. He nursed you through the worst parts.’
Annie gasped and covered her face with her hands. ‘I was sick,’ she groaned. ‘I can’t believe he saw me vomit.’
‘So? He’s a doctor, Annie. He saw me do it the other night.’
‘Yeah, but you’re not interested in him.’
‘Ah…so you are interested?’
‘Yes, but it won’t work.’
‘Why not?’ Natasha sat down on the futon, crossing her legs beneath her.
‘Comfortable?’
‘Yes. Come on, why wouldn’t it work between you and Hayden?’
‘I want marriage and a family.’ Annie shrugged as though it were that simple.
‘So?’
‘And he doesn’t.’
‘Are you sure about this?’
‘Yes.’ It was not her place to speak about his baby nor what he’d shared regarding his marriage. Although she was curious to learn more, she only wanted to know what Hayden wanted to share.
‘So? Change his mind.’
‘Oh, just like that?’
Natasha smiled. ‘You’re a woman, aren’t you? Use the weapons at your disposal.’
Annie laughed then winced in pain. ‘You’re nuts. Is that what you did to Monty?’
‘He and I were a different story.’
‘Ah, so you don’t practise what you preach.’
‘Come on, Annie. Hayden is obviously interested in you so why not try and get him interested in a permanent relationship?’
‘What if it doesn’t work? I can’t handle heartbreak any more. Adam was the last straw.’
‘But Adam was wrong for you.’
‘Oh, now you tell me.’
‘You know what I mean. He’s wasn’t…caring enough. Hayden has proved himself this morning to be extremely caring, not only for your health but your well-being as well.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘He’s called me every half-hour for progress reports.’
‘Really?’
‘Yes.’
‘But he’s a doctor.’ Annie squashed the feelings of joy.
‘True, but it wasn’t the usual doctor-patient follow-up call. Every half-hour, Annie.’
‘Really?’ she asked again, unable to believe it.
‘Would I lie to you?’
‘No.’
‘He cancelled his morning’s schedule to stay here with you.’
‘Only because there was no one else available,’ Annie rationalised. ‘Both you and Monty would have been at the hospital.’
‘Still, Annie, he stayed. That says a lot to me.’
‘Every man I get interested in seems so right for me in the beginning. Then I dig a little deeper, commit myself a little further, and end up getting hurt. Why can’t I find a man who likes me for who I am deep down inside, warts and all, and who wants to settle down and have a couple of kids? Why doesn’t that man exist?’ Annie’s voice broke off in a sob and Natasha instantly enveloped her in a hug.
‘You really like Hayden, don’t you?’ her friend whispered.
‘Yes.’
‘It’s true that you’ve picked bad apples in the past, Annie, and you’ve been hurt. But they weren’t right for you. If you’d gone through with marrying any of them, you’d now be going through a bitter divorce and, more than likely, have a few children attached.’
‘Is this supposed to make me feel better?’
Natasha smiled. ‘I’m just trying to point out marrying the wrong person can be a nightmare.’
‘So Hayden tells me.’ Her tone was glum with a healthy dose of dejection. ‘I shouldn’t get my hopes up about him. I need to protect myself.’ She blew her nose and tossed the tissue at the bin—she missed. ‘He kissed me. So what? It was just a kiss.’ She almost believed her nonchalant tone and ignored the little voice which told her she was fooling nobody.
‘A kiss between friends.’ Natasha nodded, pacifying her.
‘Exactly.’
‘It didn’t mean anything.’
‘Exac—No. I think it did mean something but I’m not going to delve any deeper into it than I already have. Sure, there’s an attraction between us but it isn’t enough, Tash, and I have to face that fact.’
‘OK, then.’
Annie’s stomach growled. ‘Any chance of the patient getting something to eat?’
‘Of course.’ Natasha scrambled off the futon. ‘Stay there. I’ll bring it to you.’ Just as Natasha reached the door, the phone started ringing. ‘Right on time.’ She disappeared but came back a moment later, holding the ringing phone out to Annie. ‘I believe it’s for you.’
Annie quickly connected the call. ‘Hello?’
‘Annie? You’re awake.’
‘Yes.’
‘How do you feel?’
‘Sore.’
Hayden chuckled and the deep sound washed over her, warming her all the way to her toes. ‘I’m not surprised. Listen, don’t worry about your on-call shift tonight. I’ve changed the roster so you now have until Sunday afternoon off.’
‘Thanks, but I’ll probably be fine by tomorrow evening.’ If she wasn’t at work, she’d have more time to think, and right now thinking was the last thing she wanted to do because, regardless of where her thoughts started out, they invariably led to Hayden.
‘Still, I think it’s better if you rest and recuperate completely before coming back to work.’
She closed her eyes in agony. ‘Well, I guess I’ll take a few days off, then. Thanks.’
‘I’d better go. I’ll drop by after work.’
‘Thanks, Hayden, but there’s really no need. I’m feeling much better now.’ She grimaced, realising how ungrateful her words sounded. ‘But if you want to…’ She trailed off, knowing she was digging herself in deeper.
‘I’ll see you then.’
She held onto the receiver for a moment after he’d hung up, wondering how on earth things had escalated so quickly. Hayden would drop around tonight. She wondered if Natasha would stay and be the go-between? No. When Hayden arrived, she needed to be alone with him. She needed to say there could be no more kisses, no more gentle caresses and no more melting smiles. She needed to preserve her heart as best she could because she was beginning to fear that with Hayden Robinson she was in danger of giving it to him on a silver platter.
This is what I need to do. I need to ask her, get her to agree and let her know that I’m not really using her. That’s not my intention. Hayden stood outside Annie’s apartment door and straightened his tie.
She’s going to smile at you and you’re going to weaken but you are not going to kiss her. That’s got nothing to do with it. You need a date for a family function and that’s all this is about.
Hayden raised his hand and knocked on her door and held out a bunch of brightly coloured gerberas when she opened it.
‘Thought these might cheer you up,’ he stated as she stepped back to allow him to enter. ‘My sisters love them and, because they have no perfume, they’re not likely to upset your sensitive stomach.’
Annie was touched. Why did he have to be so…so…nice?
She couldn’t remember the last time a man had brought her flowers. Especially one she wasn’t even dating. She and Hayden had to be just friends. Nothing more. Although the attraction was there and they appeared to have quite a bit in common, they wanted different things out of life. At least, that’s what she’d been telling herself since his earlier phone call.
She’d been going over and over in her head the words she wanted to say to him. Practising and rehearsing until she was positive they were perfect. Now all her good intentions had blown out the door the instant she’d seen him standing there. The flowers hadn’t helped her resolve one little bit. Still…she was touched by his thoughtfulness.
Annie sighed and looked at him, then back to the flowers cradled in her arms. ‘Thank you,’ she whispered, her gaze meeting his once more. ‘They’re lovely.’
‘I’m glad you like them.’
He seemed genuinely pleased that he’d been able to please her. Oh, he would be such an easy man to fall in love with.
Annie realised she was gazing up at him like he’d given her the world, and abruptly turned away, forcing her wobbly legs to take her to the kitchen. ‘Let me see if I can find a vase or something to put them in. I hadn’t planned on receiving flowers so soon after moving.’ She was babbling but didn’t seem able to stop. ‘Well, if I can’t find one, I’m sure I can borrow one from Natasha although what to do with them in the meantime may be a bit of a problem.’ She’d been opening and closing cupboard doors as she spoke, searching for a vase.
Hayden put his arm on her shoulder and gently turned her to face him. ‘Annie?’ He looked at her, a puzzled frown creasing his forehead. ‘They’re just flowers.’
‘Uh…I…know,’ she faltered, feeling even more foolish. She put the gerberas in the sink and filled it with some water. ‘Would you like a drink?’
‘No. I’d like you to sit down. You’re recuperating, remember?’ With his hand still on her shoulder, he guided her to the sofa. After she was off her feet he removed his hand, but that didn’t stop the churning that was going on inside her already queasy stomach. ‘You’re not looking too good.’ He went to place his hand on her forehead but she pulled back, not wanting him to touch her again. She was already reeling from too many unwanted sensations.
‘I’m fine. Natasha wouldn’t have left otherwise.’
‘I thought she might have waited until I arrived.’
‘So she could hand over? I’m not completely helpless, Hayden.’ Her words came out clipped and she instantly regretted them. She couldn’t help that the man sent her insides spiralling with one simple touch. Or the fact that his innocent gesture of the flowers had the ability to touch her so deeply.
‘I wasn’t suggesting you were.’ He eyed her critically before nodding. ‘You’re an impatient patient.’
‘So?’
‘So am I. I hate being sick, which is why I thought the flowers might help cheer you up.’
Annie closed her eyes momentarily. ‘They did.’ You need to get your mind back on track, she reminded herself sternly, but it was easier to practise in the mirror what she wanted to say than do it in person with Hayden. She opened her eyes to find him watching her intently.
‘So how was the hospital today? I hope the meetings you missed on account of me this morning weren’t too important.’
He shrugged. ‘It’s fine. Meetings are meetings, Annie. You were sick.’
‘Well, I appreciate you staying with me.’
‘You’ve obviously had a shower and changed.’ He pointed to her outfit of comfortable three-quarter-length trousers and baggy T-shirt. ‘I hope Natasha was here to help you.’
‘Yes. I may be a bad patient but I’m not completely stupid.’
He smiled at her. ‘Glad to hear it. The last thing you needed was to keel over in the shower due to lack of energy.’
‘I’m fine.’
He sat forward in his chair and she wondered if he, too, had picked up on the strained atmosphere between them. Something wasn’t right and as far as Annie was concerned it had everything to do with those kisses he’d placed on her lips before he’d left this morning.
‘Hayden—’
‘Annie—’
They spoke at the same time and then laughed, the tension easing slightly. ‘You go first,’ she offered, chickening out.
He stood, feeling uncharacteristically uncomfortable. What was wrong with him? He’d asked women out before—even just as friends—so why was he so anxious about asking Annie out? ‘Are you free two weeks on Saturday?’
‘Pardon?’
He’d completely surprised her. ‘I’ve checked the current roster and have made sure Wesley’s on duty so we’re both free, but you may have other plans for that day.’
It was her birthday two weeks on Saturday. ‘Why?’
‘My sister is getting married and I was wondering if you’d like to come to the wedding with me.’
Annie stared at him in disbelief ‘Married?’
‘Yes. Came as a bit of a shock to me as well as she’s only known the guy for three months, but there it is.’ He scowled. ‘Didn’t even tell me she was engaged, but that’s Rowena for you. Impulsive.’
Annie was a little confused. ‘Why do you want me to go with you?’
‘Because if I go alone, I’ll have all three of my sisters, and probably my mother, trying to match me up with any unattached females in the room. All three of them want to see me in a relationship again and, quite frankly, it can get a little overbearing at times.’
She smiled. ‘You’re scared of your sisters.’ She nodded at his appalled expression. ‘I can’t believe it. The great orthopaedic surgeon Hayden Robinson is scared of his little sisters and his mummy! Well, I never.’
‘That’s not it at all. It’s just that it’s not worth the headache or the bother. At Brigeeta’s wedding I was married to Lonnie and everyone was whispering about my lack of judgement in choosing a suitable wife.’
‘Sounds ominous. I take it your family didn’t like her?’
‘No, and my sisters, in particular, never hid that fact. They were polite to her, of course, and did everything they could to accept her into the family, but to be fair to them Lonnie made no effort.’
‘Perhaps that’s why they didn’t like her,’ Annie ventured.
‘Perhaps. At Katrina’s wedding, I was newly divorced and had every female member of my family either trying to match me up or feeling sorry for me. Great-aunts and grandmothers included. At this point in my life, I—’
‘You don’t want to go through that again?’
‘No, I don’t.’
‘And that’s why you’re asking me,’ she stated.
‘Yes. Are you free?’
‘As a matter of fact, I am.’
‘You’ll do it?’
‘Why me?’
‘Because we’re friends.’
‘Come on, Hayden. If you take me home to meet Mum and Dad, they’re going to think a lot more is going on between us. It’s your sister’s wedding!’ He looked down at the carpet for a moment and then back to Annie. It was then that things clicked in to place. ‘You want them to think there’s more going on between us, don’t you?’ She nodded to herself. ‘That way, they’ll get off your back and won’t bother with the matchmaking routine.’
‘Yes.’
‘So…’ Annie leaned back into the cushions and crossed her arms over her chest, eyeing him carefully. ‘Are we supposed to act the happy couple?’
He smiled at her and her insides melted into a pool of mush. Did he have any idea the way he affected her with just one look? He raised his eyebrows and she realised he did.
‘I see.’
‘It won’t be that hard, Annie. We’re already attracted to each other.’
She shook her head at his arrogance. ‘I suppose it will give you the perfect opportunity to kiss me any time you like.’
‘This plan definitely has good incentives.’
‘What if I don’t want you to kiss me?’
Hayden crossed to her side and sat down beside her. He was close and the scent of him—freshly laundered shirt, aftershave and hospital aroma, all mingled together—created a heady combination. One that wove around her senses, driving her closer to distraction.
‘Is that true?’ Hayden’s breath fanned her cheek and she worked harder to resist him. He brushed a few curls away from her face before cupping her chin and bringing it closer to his own. ‘We have a chemistry between us, Annie, that neither of us can truly deny.’ His words caressed her and she closed her eyes, waiting with seething impatience for his lips to meet hers.
‘You feel it.’ He kissed one cheek. ‘I feel it.’ He kissed her other cheek. ‘Sometimes,’ he whispered against her mouth, ‘I’m powerless to fight it. Like now.’
It wasn’t until his lips were pressed firmly against hers that she realised she’d been holding her breath. Annie sighed into the kiss, melting into him as his arm came around her waist, urging her closer. A raging fever burned her entire body and it had nothing to do with the virus. How could this be so…so…encompassing? All rational thought left her as she focused solely on the emotions Hayden’s touch evoked.
Annie couldn’t get enough of him. He was like a drug and she was finally allowed to have her fix. She didn’t care that the craving wouldn’t go away, only that she could now have her fill of him.
‘Mmm,’ he groaned as he hauled her across and onto his lap without breaking contact. He plundered her mouth, wanting to know and feel her innermost secrets. She fitted perfectly into his arms, her warm body pressed firmly against his own, sending one shock wave after another through him.
Up until now, up until this very moment, the kisses they’d shared had been merely appetisers. This…this was leading onto the main course and she was every bit as delicious as he’d fantasised. For hours he’d lain awake, wanting to kiss her gorgeous mouth in exactly this way. Now that he was actually in the middle of the experience, it was surpassing his dreams as she leaned into him, matching his enthusiasm.
The thrumming reverberating in her ears was an echo of her fiercely pounding heartbeat and for a moment she knew instinctively that his heart was pounding the same, intense rhythm. It was as though they had been made for each other because never in her entire thirty-nine years, forty-nine weeks and five days had she ever felt this way when a man had kissed her.
They both pulled back at the same time, gasping desperately for air. She gazed into his desire-filled blue eyes, knowing he was seeing the exact same emotion in her brown ones. After gulping in a breath, he urged her lips to his and there was no way she was going to argue.
The onslaught continued, taking them both to new heights. A fire that started in one spread quickly to the other, neither wanting the flames to be doused, but fanned instead. Annie started trembling and Hayden’s hold on her increased.
‘Annie,’ he breathed a moment or two later as he pressed tender kisses across her cheek and down her neck.
‘I know,’ she murmured, understanding completely what he was saying. The emotions they were both feeling were far too intense for words. She tilted her head to allow him better access to her neck, the small kisses continuing to fuel the fire within. ‘Oh, Hayden. This is…I don’t know what it is.’
He groaned again, memorising the taste of her skin on his lips. It was like the sweetest nectar in the world and one which was highly addictive. He could get used to kissing Annie Beresford on a regular basis. That thought alone was enough to jump-start his sluggish brain.
‘You’ll definitely have to marry me,’ she whispered near his ear as her teeth nipped lightly at his ear lobe.
‘What?’ Ignoring the goose-bumps which had just rippled down his neck, Hayden pushed her upright. He stared at her as though she had two heads. He cleared his throat, trying to calm the overwhelming urge to bolt. ‘This is another one of your jokes, right?’
From somewhere she found the strength to move off his lap and sit beside him again. ‘What makes you think that? I do like you, Hayden—a lot. We may be compatible, mentally and physically, but emotionally we want different things out of life. I want to get married. I want to have children.’
‘To just anyone?’
‘No. If I’d wanted to marry just anyone, I’d have done so by now. No. I want the perfect man for me. My soul mate.’
‘Soul mates are a waste of time.’
‘Really? Have you asked your parents that?’
‘What do you know about my parents? You know nothing about them.’
Annie didn’t take offence at his words and surprised him by smiling and cupping his cheek with her hand. There was nothing condescending or patronising in her touch, just tenderness. ‘They raised you to be the caring and thoughtful man you are.’ She paused and withdrew her hand.
Hayden worked hard not to drag it back to his face. He wanted her to touch him. He wanted her to delve into his psyche and tell him everything was going to be all right but he was a big boy now and he knew that life didn’t always turn out the way you planned.
‘Listen, Hayden, all I’m saying is that you can’t kiss me with such overwhelming passion, holding nothing back and taking me to the spiralling heights of wonderment, just for fun! It messes with my heart and my mind.’
Her words were said with a hint of self-preservation and that alone was enough to bring him back to reality with a thump. Hayden raked his fingers through his hair and stood. ‘Look, Annie, I didn’t mean for things to get out of hand. I was just trying to show that—’
‘I know what you were trying to show, Hayden, and I agree that things got a little out of control. In light of that and your sudden desire to escape as fast as you can, I suggest we don’t repeat the performance.’
‘Annie, you’re blowing this way out of proport—’
She held up her hand to silence him and forced her body to respond to the signals her brain was sending. Slowly, she stood to face him. ‘You may think I’m being ultra-female and blowing this out of proportion, but that’s only according to your male sensibilities. You were right when you said we had a natural chemistry between us. We do, Hayden, but we both want completely different things out of life.’ She closed her eyes and looked down at the floor for a moment before meeting his gaze once more. ‘So, when we go to your sister’s wedding—no kissing. You of all people should know about self-preservation.’
He stared at her, listening to what she was saying but unable to believe he was hearing it. She was truly like no other woman he’d ever met, and that included his sisters. Never had he met a woman who would rationalise her emotions so logically—probably the doctor in her. He appreciated her honesty.
‘Hayden?’
‘Yes.’ He took a step towards the door. ‘You’re right, Annie. I do know about self-preservation. I also know it isn’t my intention to break your heart.’
‘I know.’
She smiled at him so sweetly, so knowledgeably that the urge to haul her into his arms and kiss her again almost overpowered him. Almost…
‘I need to go.’ It was a statement and one she didn’t refute. Instead, she calmly walked him to the door.
‘Thanks for looking after me, today—oh, and for the flowers.’
Hayden nodded and was glad when the door to her apartment closed with him on the other side. He quickly went to his own apartment, trying to figure out why the wall he’d built around his heart so many years ago felt as though it was starting to crumble.
‘You’re not going there again.’ His words were stern and after collecting his briefcase where he’d left it just before he’d stopped by Annie’s apartment, he walked to his desk and sat down to do some work.
It took a few minutes but thankfully his brain was willing to co-operate by pigeonholing all thoughts of Annie into a nice little compartment so he could concentrate on his work. Almost an hour later, the phone rang.
‘Professor Robinson,’ he answered.
‘Hayd.’
There was only one person who called him that disgusting abbreviation of his name and that was Adam. ‘Hi, Adam.’
‘Sorry it’s taken me a few days to get back to you, cous.’
‘No problem. So how are things?’
‘Not bad, not bad at all. I started a new job a few months back and things are starting to look up.’
‘Are you still in the Geelong area?’
‘Ah, no. I’m around the coast in East Gippsland.’
Hayden frowned. ‘What on earth are you doing there?’ They discussed Adam’s new job and the property he was thinking of buying. They discussed the weather, the family and Hayden’s professorship.
‘You know I’m working at Geelong General hospital?’
‘Really? I thought you were based in Melbourne.’
‘No. Geelong.’ Hayden waited, hoping Adam might mention that he knew someone who worked there—namely Annie—but he didn’t.
‘Like it?’
‘Yeah. It’s quite good. The staff I’m working with are really great, especially my registrars.’ Come on, Adam. Mention her.
‘What do you specialise in again?’
‘Orthopaedics.’ This was it, Hayden thought. He’d be bound to mention Annie now.
‘Oh, that’s right,’ was all Adam said, but the tone of his voice had changed to one of avoidance.
Hayden wanted to know about his relationship with Annie yet at the same time he didn’t. Just the thought of Annie with Adam was enough to turn his stomach.
There was an uncomfortable pause while Hayden mentally searched for a topic. ‘Did you hear Rowena’s getting married?’
‘Yeah, my mum forwarded the wedding invitation. Stupid move on Ro’s part.’
‘Well, she doesn’t seem to think so.’
‘I haven’t seen Ro in years. How old is she now?’
‘Twenty-seven.’
‘Wow. Last I saw of her, she had braces and acne.’
Hayden laughed. ‘Seems like yesterday and now she’s getting married.’ He shook his head and rubbed his fingers through his hair. Leaning back in his chair, he hoped his next question came out with the required amount of nonchalance. ‘Are you coming to the wedding?’
‘Can’t make it. I’m going to send her a reply tomorrow to let her know.’
‘That’s too bad. It would have been good to catch up in person.’
‘Yeah. Listen, Hayd. I have to go. Duty calls.’
‘Sure. Good to talk to you.’ Hayden rang off, feeling more frustrated than he had before the call. He rested his elbows on the desk and buried his face in his hands. He felt…plagued by thoughts of Annie. During the day, when he went to sleep and now, after kissing her so completely, so passionately, it was getting worse.
He massaged his temples, trying to figure out what on earth he should do. He’d asked her to Rowena’s wedding. He had to spend the weekend with her and not kiss her. He could do that. He was strong.
The wedding was two weeks away and until then he was determined to keep as far away from Annie as possible. She’d been right. It was the only way to ensure self-preservation.
Annie almost crawled up the walls on Friday and Saturday because of her imposed leave from the hospital. She read a book, watched television, went for runs, but nothing took her mind off Hayden for long.
By Saturday afternoon she’d had enough and caught a taxi to Natasha’s house. Spending time with the Worthington kids helped to distract her—at least for a short time. She stayed for dinner and once the children were in bed, she sat down to talk with Brenton and Natasha.
‘So…can we ask you about Hayden?’ Brenton queried with a knowing grin after they’d had coffee.
Annie pointedly looked at her watch. ‘Gee, is that the time? I’d better be getting home.’
Her friends laughed. ‘Leave her alone, Brenton,’ Natasha chided. ‘Annie knows we’re here to listen or discuss things but only when she’s ready.’
‘Thank you.’
Natasha leaned forward in her chair, her smile anxious. ‘Ready?’
Annie laughed. ‘Not yet.’
‘That means something’s happened.’ Brenton rubbed his hands together delightedly. ‘I’d just like to say right here and now that I think he’s perfect for you.’
‘You hardly know him,’ she countered, not that bothered by the good-natured teasing.
‘Our paths have crossed several times since he started working at the hospital on Monday. All I’m saying is that so far I like what I see.’
‘And what’s that?’
‘He appears to be a man of integrity, high calibre and good taste. After all, my dear friend, if he’s interested in you, he’s showing good taste.’
Tears welled in Annie’s eyes. ‘Thank you.’ She sighed and slumped back into the chair. ‘I just don’t want to get hurt again…and neither does he.’
‘You said he’d been married before,’ Natasha commented.
‘I also said I didn’t want to discuss it,’ Annie reminded them with a smile. She had questions of her own. Questions about his marriage, but more questions about his daughter. How had she died? Had there been an accident? Four weeks old. Even to think about it broke her heart. It was no wonder Hayden had blocked himself off from ever going there again. She forced herself to focus on what her friends were saying.
‘OK. We’ll change the subject. Did Lily tell you she’s got a real gig playing her guitar in an amateur musical group?’
Annie’s sigh was heartfelt. ‘Yes, she did mention it. I’m so proud of her.’ The conversation continued on neutral topics until it was really time for her to leave. On the way home, she stopped by the shops and picked up the ingredients for a hot toddy.
It was almost eleven o’clock when Annie put the shopping bags down to unlock her apartment door. When the stairwell door opened, she knew instinctively it was Hayden. The hairs on the back of her neck prickled with apprehension, wondering how this meeting would go. She turned to face him.
‘Hi.’
‘Hi.’
‘Just getting home from the hospital?’ He looked awful, she thought.
‘Yes. You’ve been out?’
‘Dinner with the Worthingtons.’
He nodded. ‘Hope you had a good time.’ He paused by his apartment door and looked at her. ‘Feeling better?’
‘Yes.’
‘Really? You look washed out.’
She smiled tiredly. ‘You’re so full of compliments.’ She paused, not wanting him to be unduly worried about her. ‘I’m over the stomach virus, if that’s your concern.’
‘But you haven’t been sleeping,’ he added.
‘No.’ She looked away, not wanting him to realise he was the reason why she hadn’t been sleeping.
‘Me neither.’ The words were said so softly that for a moment she thought she’d imagined it. She glanced up at his face and saw the anguish there. She knew that anguish because it matched her own.
She unlocked her door. ‘We have to get past this, Hayden.’
‘You’re right.’
‘I’m going to make a hot toddy and actually get some sleep tonight.’
‘Good for you.’ He smiled.
Annie hesitated for a moment. ‘Would you like to join me?’ At the look of desire that briefly flashed in his eyes she quickly added, ‘You look as though you could use a good night’s sleep as well. Just a drink, Hayden, but I understand if you’d rather not.’
‘That’s just the problem, Annie.’ He took a step towards her. ‘I’d like nothing more than to join you.’
‘Surely we can control ourselves? We’re both adults and we have to get past this,’ she said again.
Hayden took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. ‘OK. A drink and we’ll stick to neutral topics.’
‘Good idea.’ She opened the door and picked up her shopping bags. Hayden left his briefcase just inside her door and followed her through to the kitchen. They worked together in harmony and soon were sitting down, Annie on the sofa, Hayden in the chair, with the coffee-table between them, sipping the warm drink.
‘This is nice,’ he said after a few mouthfuls.
‘Tastes great.’
‘I meant you and I.’
‘Oh.’ Annie bit her lip at the misunderstanding, immediately thinking that her reply could also apply to them. Hayden did taste great. ‘Yes. Yes it is.’
‘We can do this, Annie.’ He took another sip and relaxed back in the chair. ‘We can be friends.’
‘Of course we can,’ she agreed. Even as she said the words, she hoped rather than knew they were true. As they’d agreed, they talked on neutral topics and were surprised to find many common opinions.
As he was leaving some time later, at the door he picked up his briefcase and looked down at her. ‘Thanks. This was good.’
‘It was.’
Silence hung in the air and awkwardness started to stretch between them. If he took one step forward, it would be nothing for her to stand on tiptoe and press her mouth to his. Instead, Hayden forced his smile to stay in place and took one step backwards.
‘Hope you sleep well, Annie.’ His tone was soft and endearing.
‘You, too.’ She ignored the tingles, the flood of longing and need that ripped through her. As soon as he stepped out of her doorway, she shut the door. The muted noises that came through the walls settled her a little and only when all was quiet next door did she close her eyes to try and sleep.
As Hayden lay in bed, he laced his hands behind his head and closed his eyes. A smile tugged at his lips and he realised he was insanely pleased that she’d got rid of Adam’s photograph from her love-heart frame. The Worthington family in that frame he could definitely cope with. Taking in a deep breath, he felt himself relax.