Wash

He also took a sip of wine before answering. “On what kind of trouble you’re looking for.”

Charity watched him. Handsome, smooth, and so definitely a womanizer. He had probably already broken strings of hearts. Should she answer his question and open the doors to a chance of mischief? Did she need that right now? Did she want it? She did but not tonight. Flirting was a safe kind of fun. She had never done the one night stand thing and setting this gala up for her father meant she’d be back and forth here and constantly running into him at the hospital. Things between her father and her were awkward enough; she didn’t need to add more to it. She pretended to check her watch.

“I should actually get back to the hospital.” Elijah seemed to have read her thoughts and knew what to say. “I want to check my patients’ charts from the past two hours. Plus I eventually need to get some sleep. I’ve had two nights on-call and another big surgery going on first thing in the morning.”

“Ouch.” She straightened and covered a yawn with her mouth. “Sorry. Been a busy week on my end also.”

He helped her slip into her coat, his fingers accidentally brushing her neck. Her skin tingled on the spot where he had touched. Charity rubbed her scarf to try to erase or at least dampen the effect. She collected her briefcase and purse.

Elijah pointed to the half full bottle of white. “Almost a sin to leave unfinished.”

“I won’t tell anyone if you don’t.”

“Our little secret then?” He winked at her.

They walked to the exit, Elijah leading the way, and then holding the door for her. Outside they walked side by side. The brisk evening sent little puffs of air out of their mouths and noses. Charity was glad she’d brought her scarf. She stuffed her fingers deep inside her pockets.

“Where are you working now?” Elijah asked after a moment of comfortable silence.

“Atlanta. I just started a new contract this week.”

“They don’t mind you are working with another hospital at the same time?”

“I haven’t mentioned anything because it’s not a conflict of interest and I wasn’t exactly sure what my father had in mind. It’ll be a bit busy, but I can do most of the work here on weekends.”

“So you’ll be up here quite regularly then?”

She nodded. “I’ll be up next weekend, and then probably two weeks after that I’ll come up again. Whatever it takes to set it up.”

“The Atlanta job, is it similar to this one?”

“Not really. The contract we just signed is for two years. That hospital needs a new wing and a lot of expensive updates. It’s not in bad enough shape to tear it down and start over but their other option—hiring me—figured out a way to get the place thriving again.”

“It’s interesting.”

“Not really. My job is to basically find innovative ways to fundraise. To get people to want to give away a lot of money.”

“Do you only work with hospitals?”

They turned a corner and a gust had Charity catching her breath. “Wow, it’s windy. And to answer your question, right now I’m booked with just working with hospitals.”

“So there’s a queue to see you.” He elbowed her lightly. “Why am I not surprised? How far are you booked ahead? Three months? Three years?”

She blushed despite the cold. He was flirting with her again. “Actually at the moment I don’t have anything confirmed after Atlanta. Two years is a big commitment. Most places have their goal set for six months, maybe a year tops. I keep saying I’m going to take a break after I finish one project and before I jump into the next. It still hasn’t happened. Maybe I’ll finally go on a trip somewhere or a cruise or something.” She stared ahead and didn’t look at him. She couldn’t believe she had just told him that she wanted a vacation. Could she sound any nerdier?

“I haven’t been out of America for about five years now. I’m due for a holiday as well.”

“You haven’t gone home?”

“New Zealand? I planned on going last year but then got hired as chief so I didn’t feel it was the right time to go.”

They reached her car. “So you’re a procrastinator as well?”

“I have my moments.”

They both smiled and she fished around her purse for her keys. An awkward moment ensued when she didn’t know what to say or do. Should she get in the car? Shake his hand? Hug him? “Do you want a lift to the hospital?” She unlocked the doors using the key chain clicker.

He watched her, his gaze moving left to right like a slow pendulum intently staring into her eyes. “Tempting, but I should probably walk. Then I’ll just catch the subway.” He held out his hand. “I had a lovely time, Charity Thompson.”