Playing with fire

Avoidance

They worked closely together over the next few weeks. She was trying to valiantly ignore the way her heart rate increased when she was around him. He liked spending time with her, even just at work. She was beautiful, anyone could see that but he found he liked the way she moved. He respected how she stood in the world. He couldn't remember the last time a woman captured his attention the way she did.

She raised an eyebrow as she saw him jumping out of a woman's car before sprinting into work,

"What?" He asked and she shook her head,

"She knows where you work now... She better not stalk you in the department,"

He laughed and shook his head, "needs must and all that,"

She rolled her eyes as she saw her husbands car driving into the department,

"Do me a favour and cover for me,"

"Where are you going? And before you ask, if you don't tell me, how am I supposed to make sure he doesn't find you,"

She hesitated for a moment, before nodding at him, "I'll be on the roof," she told him, "tell him I'm in theatre,"

Jacob walked inside and was soon stopped by a tall, well dressed man in a suit,

Charlie appeared and Jacob watched as he smiled at him,

"Mr. Beauchamp, I haven't seen you for a while,"

"Hi Charlie," he smiled, "have you seen Connie? She left her coat and phone charger at home, I thought id give them too her,"

Jacob shook his head at Charlie, "she's in theatre..." He looked at his watch, "she's just scrubbed in... She could be a while,"

He nodded,"I'll leave this on her desk and be off,"

"Want to explain?" Charlie asked as they watched Connie's husband walk off.

Jacob shrugged, "your guess is as good as mine."

He stood and watched her for a while before he coughed, causing her to turn around,

"Coast is clear," he told her and she nodded,

He sat beside her on the wall, "you know, if you need a friend, I'm here,"

She nodded, "thank you,"

He shrugged, a small smile playing on her face as he nudged her gently, "even if you did break my heart,"

"You mean your ego," she smiled, leaning into him as he put his arm around her,

"That too," He laughed and she allowed herself a few minutes of silence as she sat so close to him.

"We should get back to work," she told him not unkindly, standing up and brushing down her trousers, "come on staff nurse masters, the last thing I need is Rita having a go at either of us,"

"Right you are," he nodded, "right you are."