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‘Then why did you?’

‘Other responsibilities in England’ He turned to look across the roo down the brief conversation

She studied that strong jawline, the sharp, see-everything eyes that were the colour of burnished steel; the wide chest

He turned back ‘Now you’re staring’

‘I a what she saw Her phone vibrated Mum She picked it up and tapped the text icon ‘Sorry, need to get this’

Morning, sweetheart You left early Hope you got so about Noah Holly’s devouring Rice Crispies, with more on the floor than in her mouth

Se, Stacey sent a s Noah atching her again, she looked up Sure enough, his gaze was fixed on her Her grin slipped ‘Yes?’

‘Can I have your phone number?’

Reality check It was great he wanted to get in touch with her She couldn’t wait to spend ti hiht was the night for that, but—and it was a big one—she just wasn’t ready to lose Noah before she’d really found hi the passion she felt for him have its head She was so of so soon He’d woken her up, and she’d never gone back to sleep, always hoping he’d return one day Now he had, and there was a lot on the line

‘Anastasia?’ He tapped her hand, lingering over the last touch ‘You don’t want to give me your number?’

Shaking her head, she said, ‘Of course I do’ She rattled it off and he put it into his contact list, trying to ignore how his finger felt on her skin—hot and te

‘I’ot mine’

Ping

Glad to catch up with you

Deep breath

Same

It was true No matter what lay ahead Unable to stop herself, she leant forward and touched his fingers, squeezed thehtly

Noah glanced at his phone, sht’ He strode away, totally relaxed A surgeon with a busy day ahead Aeven when she was freaking out about Holly He’d got under her skin and woken her up to new possibilities of love

It had happened so fast ityears she’d tried to ht But from the moment they’d bu she felt warm and excited about the possibilities She wanted to be with Noah, to really get to know hi she already did Was this love?

Liz waved fro ‘Want another?’ she mouthed

Stacey nodded, before surreptitiously running a finger beneath her eyes to remove unexpected moisture before Liz came across and noticed Love and Noah in the sa wildly Caution was needed here Lots of it

‘I see you were enjoying Noah Kennedy’s company’ Liz sat down in the seat he’d vacated

Enjoying? Absolutely ‘It’s always good to get to know our specialists a little, don’t you think?’ Put it back on Liz and hopefully she’d drop the subject

‘You’re not fooling -eyed when he was on the ward yesterday’

‘Must’ve had so as I’ve been told all the females have since he started’ At least that showed she hadn’t got it wrong when it came to Noah’s sexy looks

‘Why does he call you Anastasia?’

She’d prepared for this during the night ‘It’s o, I was so it’ Once, and only with Noah, but that was for her to know ‘Stacey’s a whole lot easier to spell,’ she said with a laugh ‘Or so I’ve been told’

Liz chuckled ‘Fair enough So you’ve nise his na’