He didn’t notice Evie. Why would he when he had someone who looked like a supermodel leaning against him? They were so close now that she could smell the woman’s perfume and hear her breathless request to be kissed.
‘We’re late enough already, Tiffany.’ The man’s voice had an edge of impatience and an accent that she couldn’t quite place.
‘No...’ The woman tried to step in front of him and wobbled on her heels. She flung an arm out to steady herself just as Evie stepped within range. As a solid object that could be pushed against, the woman saved herself from falling by shoving Evie. It was Evie who was sent flying and she landed hard on the cold asphalt.
‘Oops... My bad...’
Evie could hear the woman giggling again as she pushed herself up on her elbow. Yep, she’d definitely had a drink or two already.
‘I’m so sorry about that. Are you all right?’
It wasn’t a feminine scent she could smell now. It was something very, very masculine. Subtle but powerful at the same time, like the strength she could feel in the hand that was around her arm, helping her to her feet. This man was in control. He was also...annoyed? No surprises there. He was about to be even later arriving at the gala, wasn’t he?
‘Thanks,’ Evie muttered, pulling herself from his grasp. ‘I’m fine.’
But he didn’t release his hold on her arm immediately. His gaze was searching her face. ‘You sure about that? You had quite a bump.’
It was the fright of the fall that had to be responsible for the way her heart was thumping right now, not the fact that an incredibly good-looking man was holding onto her and looking as if...as if he could see past any attempt to brush off what was now an acute embarrassment. She must have looked like a complete idiot sprawled on the ground in front of this glittering power couple who were off to rub shoulders with the medical elite of the district.
And she wasn’t just dressed in her boring work clothes, she was now covered in grime, half her hair had escaped from the pins that held it in a tidy knot and she knew that she had a rip in her skirt because she’d felt it happening when she’d fallen. She felt like Cinderella and the wannabe princess was looking way more annoyed than her prince. She tugged at the man’s other hand.
‘We’re late, darling,’ she reminded him. ‘And I want some more champagne.’
The demand, even the tug, hadn’t broken the scrutiny the man was still giving Evie and this was suddenly more than embarrassing. She could feel colour rushing into her cheeks and she wrenched herself free of the touch that was now burning her arm.
‘I’m fine,’ she said again. ‘Enjoy your evening.’
It wasn’t far to her car. Evie opened the door, leaned in to pull out the bag that contained her dress and shoes but paused as she straightened, her attention caught by the car that was parked alongside.
Flashy. That was the only word for the low-slung bright red sports car, and she knew instantly who had arrived in this vehicle. Good grief...she could actually see the silver-sheathed woman in the passenger seat, probably with her hand on her chauffeur’s knee, doing her best to distract the man with that intense, discomforting stare who would no doubt continue to concentrate on the road ahead. Until he was ready to play, that was...
They would be amongst the gathering at the gala, along with all the other polished, successful people associated with Hope Hospital. Even if she got changed and tidied up her hair, Evie was still going to feel out of place there. A Cinderella who had a slightly incompetent fairy godmother?
With a sigh, she dropped the bag back into the car.
Her job there was done. She really didn’t want to go the gala now.
But she wasn’t expected home until late, either, and that provided an unusual window of freedom.
Evie turned back towards the hospital buildings. She knew exactly where she wanted to be right now.
And who she wanted to be with.
MAYBE IT WAS the jet lag.
Or perhaps it was that his new life was not beginning quite as smoothly as he would have liked.
Ryan Walker arrived at Hope Children’s Hospital’s opening gala alone. His companion for this event had started to feel unwell by the time they’d entered the main building of the hospital. Ryan had offered to drive her back to her hotel but Tiffany had sobered up enough to be embarrassed about her behaviour and had insisted on calling a friend to collect her. It was with a sigh of relief that Ryan took an elevator to the top floor. He wouldn’t have wanted to meet any of his new colleagues with an inebriated woman hanging onto his arm. It was embarrassing enough that she’d knocked over that cute little blonde in the car park.
He hoped that stranger was all right. Oddly, he found himself still thinking about her as he stood for a moment to observe the crowded event. Maybe it had been her petite size that had made him feel like she might need looking after. Or maybe it was the way she’d been so keen to get away from him given that Ryan wasn’t used to women reacting that way to his attention. He’d taken a second glance as he’d left the car park, only to see her getting into the car next to where he’d parked his rental. A staff car parking area, so maybe he’d see her again somewhere and could apologise again?
He hoped so. In the meantime, he was here to introduce himself to as many people as he could and a good place to start was obviously the man who was in charge. It was lucky that he could recognise Theo Hawkwood so easily after the video call conversations they’d had. And how flattering had it been that he’d been headhunted to join the team of this new centre of excellence that was just getting off the ground?
‘Theo...’ Ryan extended his hand. ‘It’s so good to meet you in person, at last.’
‘Ryan... So glad you could make it. I was hoping to give you a tour of the hospital today but it’s been a bit crazy, thanks to this event.’
‘No worries. My flight got held up in Singapore so I didn’t have the chance to get here earlier. I’ll look forward to a tour tomorrow. I’ve still got a day or two before my first theatre list, yes?’
‘Of course. Come and find me first thing in the morning. In the meantime, let me introduce you to a few people.’ Theo turned to the man next to him. ‘Starting with Marco Ricci, one of our general paediatric surgeons. Marco, this is Ryan Walker, our new neonatal cardiac surgeon.’
‘Delighted.’ Marco shook Ryan’s hand. ‘Can I find you a drink?’
Ryan shook his head. He was still unimpressed with Tiffany’s earlier behaviour. Who would have expected cabin crew to let their hair down quite that much on a night off? And, with that thought, he was reminded again of the woman who’d been knocked over. Not really blonde, exactly—more like a pale redhead. Different...
There were a lot of people who wanted to talk to Theo and Ryan found himself left with Marco.
‘That’s Alice Baxter.’ Marco pointed out a slender woman with strikingly pale blonde hair. ‘My boss.’
Ryan’s eyebrows rose at something in his tone. ‘Oh?’ Good grief, this hospital had only been up and running for a short time. Were there politics going on already?
‘She’s bossy.’ But Marco’s smile was charming enough to suggest that this might not be a criticism. ‘I’m waiting to find out if she’ll loosen up a bit after a glass of champagne, perhaps.’
‘So who else is here from the surgical team?’
‘Hmm...’ Marco looked around. ‘Finn Morgan should be here, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he isn’t. I’ve never seen him at a social event.’
‘Are