‘If I’m seen with you then people will automatically think I’m a bimbo.’ She scooped her hair out of her eyes and held it firmly at the back of her neck as he picked up speed and headed for the coast road. ‘But to sample the lobster at that new restaurant, I’m willing to take the risk. And don’t call me honey. I draw the line at that, even when I’m starving.’
The restaurant was heaving but the manager took one look at Sam and found them a secluded table overlooking the sea.
‘Never miss one of your programmes. Love the way you make complicated medical stuff easy to understand. Pleasure to have you back, Sam.’ The manager handed him a menu. ‘And dining with our Dr Riggs. That’s cosy.’
‘Convenient, not cosy.’ Anna shot him a pointed look and took the other menu. She didn’t want gossip in the village. ‘This is just business. We have things to talk about, we both have to eat and we both wanted to try your new place, Ken. It’s that simple.’
‘Well, the first drink is on the house. I’ll treat you to a couple of glasses of champagne.’ He snapped his fingers, gestured to a waiter and then turned back to the two of them. ‘Been meaning to come and talk to your dad, actually, Sam. Something on my mind, to be honest.’
‘Stop by any time,’ Sam said easily, leaning back in his chair and closing the menu. ‘I’m covering all Dad’s surgeries now. Be glad to catch up with you.’
Ken nodded. ‘I think I’ll do that. Thanks.’ At that moment one of the waiters arrived with two brimming glasses of champagne and Ken stepped to one side, giving Anna a quick wink. ‘Have a nice evening, both of you.’
Anna watched him go and then lifted her champagne. ‘Why was he winking at me? Has he developed a problem with his eye? And why all this man-to-man stuff about seeing you in the surgery? He could have come to see me.’
‘There are some things a man can’t discuss with a woman.’
‘That’s rubbish.’ She swallowed a mouthful of champagne and moaned with appreciation. ‘Ooh, that’s fantastic. And, McKenna, I can deal with everything you can deal with. Probably more.’
‘You know as well as I do that there are some things a woman prefers a woman doctor for. It’s the same for men.’
Anna took another sip and felt her head swim. She put the glass down on the table and decided to wait for the food before drinking any more. Otherwise she’d be tipsy and she needed her wits about her to cope with Sam. ‘That’s why I always end up with the women’s problems. Because you guys avoid them like the plague.’
‘That’s nonsense.’ His tone was calm and he broke off to deliver their order to the waiter. Anna stared at him as the waiter left to give their order to the kitchen.
‘I’m perfectly capable of reading a menu and using my voice. And for your information, I don’t have any trouble with decision-making. I can pick my own food. If I concentrate I can even use a knife and fork.’
‘We both want to try the seafood.’ He spoke with exaggerated patience. ‘I ordered seafood. Relax, will you?’
Despite her resolve, Anna reached for the champagne again. She couldn’t relax around Sam. It just wasn’t possible. ‘You were trying to pretend that you don’t avoid women’s problems.’
‘I certainly don’t. In fact, it’s an area that we cover frequently on the programme, as you’d know if you ever bothered to watch it.’
‘I get enough of you in real life.’
He leaned forward, his blue eyes fixed on her face. ‘It’s a fact that lots of women prefer to see a female doctor for some things, and it’s the same with male patients. If Ken wants to see me, you shouldn’t be defensive about that.’
‘I’m not being defensive.’
Damn. She wished she hadn’t drunk all that champagne so quickly. She definitely should have waited for the food.
Fortunately it arrived quickly, huge platefuls of seafood with hot garlic butter and baskets of freshly baked bread.
‘Oh, this looks fantastic,’ Anna muttered, reaching for a langoustine and stripping it quickly. ‘Great idea, McKenna. Beats omelette.’
‘There were no eggs,’ he reminded her. ‘Omelette was never an option.’
‘That’s right.’ She grabbed a napkin before the buttery juices could slide down her chin. ‘No eggs. So someone needs to go shopping. I’ll grab a few things tomorrow on my way home.’
He scooped another langoustine onto her plat
e. ‘Are you offering to shop, Riggs? Something wrong?’
‘I don’t mind the shopping. It’s the cooking I can’t stand. And tonight I’m feeling mellow. Blame the alcohol and the food.’
‘You really know how to make a guy feel good.’
‘You don’t need me to make you feel good. You already feel far too good about yourself. It would be much easier for the rest of us mortals if you’d let a little bit of self-doubt creep in. You need to lose some of those female fans and realise that you’re human, like the rest of us.’