Go to page:

Text Size:

‘We’ve decided to name him Luis,’ Sebastian said, gently taking his wife’s hand so together they could reach out and touch their son’s tiny curled fist.

‘We’re taking Luis to the NICU,’ Emilia said, trying to sound reassuring, although they all knew the situation was serious. ‘As soon as you’re ready, you can see him and his brothers there. Try not to worry.’ She met Isabella’s stare. ‘We’ll take the best of care of them.’

Isabella nodded, tears seeping from the corner of her eye as she reached out and squeezed Emilia’s hand. From one mother to another, Emilia heard what was being left unsaid: Take care of my babies while I can’t.

‘Congratulations on the birth of your sons,’ Felipe added, resting his hand on Sebastian’s shoulder, as if he too was aware of the turmoil and concern of the new parents. ‘What a blessing.’

While the registrar and neonatal nurses whisked Luis upstairs to the NICU, Felipe and Emilia de-gowned, tossing the garments into a dirty laundry bin outside Theatre Six.

Emilia sagged a little, releasing an audible sigh as most of the adrenaline left her system. ‘Well, that was an eventful first morning.’

Felipe nodded, one side of his mouth curling up in a charming smile. ‘Now that the excitement is over, let me show you the most important room in the department, in case you get lost again.’

Emilia ignored the return of the silly flutter in her chest at how attractive and charming he was. It made no difference. That Felipe was so friendly and welcoming was nice, given they’d be working so closely together, but it also left her strangely unsettled. She wasn’t used to male attention, not that he was overtly flirting. Would she even know what flirting looked like, having been off the market for so long?

‘I hope it’s the coffee room.’ She laughed, smoothing her hat-flattened hair back from her face. ‘I may not know my way around the rest of the hospital yet, but when I came for my interview, I made sure to ask for directions to the nearest coffee machine.’

‘A woman with priorities,’ he said with that confident smile that put her at ease, but also sped up her pulse. ‘Although there’s only instant in the break room. For the real thing, espresso, the best place to go is Café Rivas, upstairs in the foyer.’

‘Oh, I definitely need the real thing to get through my first day.’ Instant coffee just wasn’t going to cut it.

‘In that case,’ he said, ‘why don’t I show you the way?’

‘Great, thanks.’ She followed him from the suite of theatres and up the stairs. She’d have to find her way around the hospital without his help soon enough. But, for now, there was no harm in accepting a guided tour from a supportive and approachable colleague.

‘Café Rivas has an app so you can pre-order drinks without waiting in line,’ he said, pushing through double doors at the top of the stairs.

‘Uh-oh,’ she said, waggling her eyebrows, ‘that sounds dangerous.’

‘Very,’ Felipe agreed, holding the door open for her to pass through. ‘Although I won’t tell if you don’t. It will be our little secret.’

Emilia couldn’t help but smile, even as she felt her barriers rising. Charming, a fearless surgeon and hot. Never mind the easily accessible coffee being dangerous—she’d have to be very careful around Felipe Castillo.