The Doctor's Engagement

‘Aren’t you anxious about her?’ she asked, regaining control.

‘Holly, I’ve done what I can.’ His voice was gentle but firm. ‘I can’t spend every spare minute worrying about every patient I see or I’d go nuts. I have to switch off, I’m afraid. It’s a survival mechanism. It doesn’t mean I don’t care. It just means I’m doing my job properly. Getting too involved is bad news—you should know that.’

Holly nodded and twisted the lid onto the jar, shaking the dressing vigorously. ‘Go and change and I’ll finish dinner.’

‘Thanks. It’s the lifestyle clinic tomorrow so we’ll both be busy with that, but I’ll cook on Saturday.’ Mark helped himself to another olive and frowned suddenly as he stood up. ‘Oh, not Saturday. I knew there was something I’d forgotten to tell you. It’s the beach barbecue.’

Holly put the dressing down on the table and stared at him. ‘What beach barbecue?’

‘They have it every year and it’s on Saturday.’ Mark shrugged apologetically. ‘Sorry. It slipped my mind. It’s a sort of social night with everyone from the practice and the other neighbouring practices.’

Holly blinked. It sounded daunting. ‘Do—do I have to come?’

What were they all expecting of her? So far she and Mark had only been seen together in a professional capacity.

‘Don’t you want to?’ His eyebrows lifted. ‘You’re supposed to be my fiancée, sweetheart, remember?’

‘Of course I am.’ She gave him a bright smile and tried to pull herself together. What on earth was the matter with her? It would be fine. She was only playing a part after all. Just a role of make-believe, nothing more. She could handle it.

‘What’s the matter?’ Mark leaned against the kitchen table and gave her a boyish grin. ‘Bowled over by the thought of me kissing you?’

Kissing her? She swallowed hard.

‘You’re planning to kiss me?’ Her voice was little more than a croak and she cleared her throat and tried to look casual. ‘Well, thanks for the warning. I’ll try not to laugh.’

Studiously avoiding his gaze, she spooned capers into the salad and walked over to the sink to wash some baby tomatoes.

It wouldn’t be a proper kiss, she reassured herself. Not in public. Just a little peck. She’d been pecking Mark all her life, so there was nothing to worry about.

‘Can’t imagine kissing you really.’ Mark narrowed his eyes as he studied her. ‘It will feel a bit like kissing my sister. Gross, as my oldest nephew would say.’

‘Oh, thanks, Mark!’ Holly threw a tomato which landed with a satisfying plop in the middle of his solid chest. ‘You’re so good for my ego. And talking of sisters, how is Julie? Are the twins still a handful?’

She changed the subject neatly. Anything to avoid having to think about kissing Mark.

‘They’re several handfuls,’ Mark said dryly, stooping to pick up the tomato before strolling towards the door. ‘How Julie copes I will never know. I only survive my visits because I know the end will come eventually.’

Holly laughed, knowing that he did

n’t mean it. She’d seen him in action with his sister’s children and he was wonderful with them.

‘Oh, well...’ He glanced down at his shirt and pulled a face. ‘I suppose I’d better do some first aid on my shirt. Remind me not to tease you again. You’re a lethal shot with a tomato.’

Holly waved a spoon at him threateningly. ‘You should see me with a blunt instrument!’

‘Hey, less of that.’ He pretended to glower at her. ‘You should be practising for Saturday. You’re meant to play the part of my adoring fiancée, not a nagging wife.’

‘Adoring?’ Holly pinned a worried look on her face. ‘You want adoring? Ouch. That could be a challenge. How long have I got to practise?’

‘Holly...’ He started to laugh. ‘You’re starting to worry me. You’re supposed to be madly in love with me. Right now, you’re being less than convincing.’

‘Yes, well.’ Holly was a picture of innocence. ‘To use your own words, the thought of being an adoring fiancée is pretty gross.’

‘Gross, eh?’ He grinned and started to saunter towards her. ‘In that case, perhaps we’d better have a practice before Saturday.’

Her smile faded and she backed away rapidly. Suddenly he seemed very big and very male. She most certainly didn’t want to practise.

‘No need.’ Her voice was little more than a squeak. ‘I’ll practise in front of the mirror later.’