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He’d just finished loading up the autoclave with equipment from his last minor procedure — removing a micro toy car from the nose of a very relieved toddler who had been told in no uncertain terms to not try and “smell” his big brother’s toys like that again — when someone knocked at the door.

He groaned inwardly. Though the surgery was technically closed, in reality when you were one of only a handful of medical professionals locally, there was no such thing as “closed”. He’d been hoping for some peace and quiet to get on with the proposal for the local commissioning group.

‘Come in.’

He instantly brightened when Liv peered around the door. ‘Well, that was a week and a half, wasn’t it? I don’t know about you, but I could really use a drink. Do you reckon your babysitter can hang on a bit longer tonight?’

‘You want to have a drink with me?’

Liv laughed, and the sound lightened Callum’s mood, instantly revitalising him.

‘I don’t see anyone else here, and my usual end of week drinking partner is still laid up with strep.’ Liv hovered by the door. ‘It’s only a thought — no pressure either way.’ She unclipped her hair while she was talking, letting it spill down her shoulders, and Callum found himself wondering, yet again, how it would feel to tangle his fingers through that hair — preferably while he tilted her lips up to his again. The last time she’d tasted of the coffee they’d just shared. He wondered what she’d taste of if he kissed her again.

‘Well? What do you think? Fancy a friendly drink?’ Liv interrupted his train of thought, bringing it to a screeching halt as he mentally chided himself for such inappropriate thoughts. Friendly was the operative word. He’d promised they were going to be friends, just friends, and he needed to stand by that.

‘Sarah’s at a sleepover tonight. I was going to try and take advantage of the peace and quiet and get that proposal finished off . . .’

Liv shrugged. ‘Say no more.’

The door swung closed behind her, and Callum was immediately filled with regret. He’d meant to say he was happy to change his plans to spend the evening with her instead of working, but somehow he’d not quite managed to get the words out. It used to be his younger brother who tripped over his tongue as soon as a pretty girl smiled at him, but now Jake had found someone he cared about enough to turn his life upside down, Callum felt like the stumbling tongue had caught up with him instead.

He stared at the door, and briefly thought about chasing Liv down the corridor, but resolutely glued his feet to the floor. He needed to get the proposal finished, and he wasn’t sure that spending more time with Liv was a good idea, even though it was incredibly enticing.

But that was the problem. To him, Liv was as enticing as a frosty cold beer on a hot day. Being almost constantly on call as a doctor and father, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d indulged in a few pints. Or the attention and company of a beautiful woman either. But that was more dangerous than drinking on duty. And just as irresponsible and unthinkable to him. Sarah, and the surgery, were his only priorities. Liv leaving in a few months was a good thing.

* * *

Back in the safety of her own office, Liv leaned against the door, her stomach sinking in disappointment. After screwing up the courage to ask Callum to join her in the pub, she felt a bit deflated. His refusal shouldn’t have meant anything to her, but it did. A friend being too busy to make it to the pub had never made her feel so . . . let down, which made her question her “friendly” resolutions.

Irritated at herself, she rubbed her fingers against her scalp as if hoping she could scrub away the unwanted emotions. Her eye was caught by the boutique bag tucked under her desk. When she’d gone for a walk at lunch, she hadn’t been able to resist the dress in the small shop’s window. The bright blue had immediately caught her eye as she sauntered through the village. She worked hard, and it wasn’t often that she treated herself. Even though it was more than she’d usually spend on a dress, it was so pretty and light that she’d decided to splash out and add a bit more colour to her wardrobe and life. It was unlike anything else she owned, and she knew Mike would have hated it — which somehow made her like it all the more. Technically it was a summer dress, but the weather was warm enough that she could get away with it.

Wanting to dispel the feelings dragging her down, she slid her suit jacket from her shoulders. A few seconds later she smoothed the dress down and smiled as she made a decision.

Callum hadn’t actually said no to the idea of a drink, just that he’d planned to work on the proposal to save the surgery. At least half of the ideas had been Liv’s, and she wanted to see them through. Besides, they’d agreed to be friends, and friends helped each other out.

Feeling happier, she grabbed her laptop from the desk and sauntered out the door, the dress swishing around her thighs.

* * *

Just as Callum was finally getting into the proposal to try and keep the surgery open, the door burst open and Liv strolled in. He had no idea where the short, blue summer dress that flowed around her legs to stop just above her knees had come from, but he was incredibly glad she’d changed. He’d always thought Liv looked good in her smart skirt suits and pretty tops, but this dress clung to her curves and made her eyes sparkle.

‘Figured two heads are better than one.’ Liv held up the laptop Callum hadn’t even noticed. ‘I told you I’ve been involved in proposals like this before. Plus, I really want to see this through to the finish. Could you use a hand?’

All of Callum’s resolutions vanished into thin air. ‘Sounds good to me.’ He hooked his foot around the chair usually reserved for patients and pulled it closer to his desk, and slid a stack of files along, making space for her.

‘Thanks.’ Liv settled next to him and flipped her laptop open.

‘And maybe, after we’ve done a couple of hours work here, I could buy you that drink in one of our fine pubs?’ Callum wanted to swallow the words almost as soon as they’d escaped.

Liv nodded happily. ‘That sounds good.’ She typed in her password and gave him a cheeky grin. ‘Come on then, Dr Mac, show me what you’ve got.’ She leaned closer to peer at his screen over his shoulder.

Callum took a deep breath as he felt Liv’s arm brush against his, sending shivers down his spine. Honey filled his nostrils and momentarily froze his brain. After a few seconds he remembered himself, typed in the password to cancel his screensaver, and forced himself to focus.

* * *

‘Here’s to a job well done.’ Liv held her glass up. ‘Cheers!’

Callum clinked his glass against hers. ‘Cheers to you, Liv. I couldn’t have put together such a strong proposal without your help.’