Seduction In Sydney: Sydney Harbour Hospital: Marco's Temptation / Sydney Harbor Hospital: Ava's Re-Awakening / Sydney Harbor Hospital: Evie's Bombshell. Carol Marinelli

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      Her whole damn childhood had been like that. Cold emotions, brick walls between her parents—she didn’t want that with Finn. Surely she hadn’t chosen a man that would freeze her out like her father had frozen her mother out?

      But she wasn’t as easily bowed as her mother. She’d make him join the human race if it killed her. Or him.

      ‘A little bit of feedback wouldn’t go astray here, Finn.’

      Finn strangled back a laugh. Not a sound she heard nearly enough but it was so good to hear it now. ‘Evie, you are some woman.’

      ‘I know. It’s about time you appreciated me.’ She needed to hear this.

      His hard blue eyes softened further. ‘Oh, I do. Don’t you worry.’

      Like blood from a stone. ‘I repeat. Some feedback would be good.’

      ‘I didn’t realise you were so needy.’ The old Finn was back.

      Ohh. She could strangle him. ‘You don’t realise much at all do you, Finn, that isn’t directly related to Sydney Harbour Hospital? You live and breathe this place and I’m asking that you cut yourself a little slack to think about the outside world.’

      ‘Why?’ He shot her hard look. ‘Because you think I might have to give it up? Is that it, Evie? Is this another discussion leading to that experimental surgery?’ As if he was surprised she’d brought it up again.

      Well, yes. ‘If I don’t have that discussion with you, who will?’ She pointed her finger at him. ‘You’ll shut down any of your few friends that dare to bring it up.’

      He shrugged and turned away.

      ‘You’ll block out your doctor’s recommendations.’

      Finn laughed again but this time Evie didn’t like the sound. ‘It’s been done before. Happens to me with my patients all the time.’

      She wasn’t listening to excuses. ‘I might be your only chance, Finn. And I’m going to push until you face the reality. There is no choice.’

      ‘There is a choice, Evie!’ He turned and faced her and this time she saw, way at the back of his eyes, the fear of being less than a man. ‘At least if I don’t have the operation I can walk away. If I have it I might be flat on my back without that choice.’

      She stepped up to him. Wrapped her arms around him and he stood stiff in her embrace. ‘You can’t put up with this pain for ever, Finn.’

      Still he wouldn’t lean into her. ‘I’m putting up with it now.’

      She stepped back so she could see his face. Plead her case. ‘You’re drinking too much. Your analgesia is becoming ineffective, the exercise that used to help isn’t doing its job any more.’

      He glared at her. Building barriers faster than she could break them down. ‘If you can’t stand the way I am then get out, Evie.’

      She shook her head. Glared right back. ‘You’d like that, wouldn’t you? That way you could just go back to drowning out life along with the pain and self-destruct in your own time.’

      He didn’t deny it.

      ‘Well.’ She put her hands on her hips. ‘I reiterate, I love you, Finn Kennedy, and I’m going to fight tooth and nail for you and the life we could have together. It’s your job to make that decision.’

      Still no response. She took a deep breath and dived in where very few had dared. ‘You need to take the step to stop suffering physically and emotionally from the explosion that killed your brother, Finn.’

      His eyes blazed. ‘That’s enough.’

      She nodded. Not surprised, and sorry she’d had to hurt him, but he needed to break through the barrier. ‘It probably is.’

      She stepped away. Physically and mentally. ‘I’m too frustrated to talk to you any more today, Finn.’

      Finn watched her go. Damn her. Well, he wasn’t chasing her every time she got the huffs.

      By Wednesday Finn was looking for Evie. He’d had three horrendous nights’ sleep, the pain was getting worse and he’d dropped his keys beside his car this morning and they’d almost gone down a manhole. Maybe he did need to consider the op.

      Now, for the first time in his life, he wanted to share his thoughts with another person. Apparently that was what she wanted, but Evie was giving him the cold shoulder, and now he couldn’t find her. Maybe he’d driven her away with his disgusting temper but he’d thought she had more staying power than that.

      ‘There you are.’ She was suturing a boy’s hand in the emergency room theatre and she looked amazing. He felt like hell.

      ‘I’ve been here on and off for the last three days, Finn. What can I do for you?’

      Well, she couldn’t do much for him while she had that laceration to fix. ‘Lunch. At one. At Pete’s. Talk about that thing we talked about. That suit you?’

      Evie didn’t smile but he had the suspicion she was having trouble keeping it in. That made him smile. ‘Don’t be late.’

      Emily, Evie and Lily finally made it to coffee.

      Emily invited them all to the baby shower and then stopped and reached across and squeezed Evie’s hand. ‘So how is Finn?’

      ‘I can tell you girls because I know you don’t gossip.’ Evie lifted her head and they could see she was okay. Emily was glad. ‘Cranky as a cut snake but I actually think I’m finally getting through.’

      Lily grinned. ‘If anyone can—you can!’

      Evie smiled. ‘Early days yet, but I’m quietly confident. How are you and Luke going, Lily?’

      Lily’s face lit up and there really wasn’t a need for her words. ‘I’m in seventh heaven.’

      They both looked at Emily. ‘And what about you and Marco?’

      ‘It’s complicated.’

      ‘It always is.’

      Emily sighed. ‘I’m just going with the flow but I’m scared of getting too close. It’s not long till he leaves.’

      Evie nodded. ‘At least he’s here for your birthday on Friday.’

      Emily sighed again. ‘Annie’s been onto you. And I don’t even know if he’ll come.’

      Lily grinned. ‘We discussed it while she was in hospital and of course he’ll come.’

      ‘I hope nobody spends money on me!’

      Lily shook her head. ‘I know you hate that. Just friends for tea. I told Annie I didn’t think it was a good idea to surprise someone who’s just come off nights. So she knows I was going to tell you.’

      ‘Finn’s coming.’ СКАЧАТЬ