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Liv had just pulled on a pair of comfy shorts and switched her smart blouse for a stretchy vest top when the knock at the door sounded. She sighed as she tugged her hair out of its bun and massaged her aching scalp. It had been a long day and she wasn’t really in the mood for entertaining anyone. Whoever it was, she’d get rid of them so she could curl up on the couch with her book and maybe throw a pizza in the Aga. She really, really hoped it wasn’t a patient who needed urgent help. She hadn’t exactly publicised her address, but it was a small village and most people knew someone who knew where everyone else lived. Especially when you were one of the few medics around.

She yanked a cardigan on over her too-skimpy-for-public-viewing top and stuffed her feet back into her fuzzy slippers to open the door.

‘You. Are. Amazing.’ Before she had a chance to speak, Callum caught her face between his hands and stepped towards her, crowding her against the wall in the most delicious way. His lips were against hers before she could catch her breath and he kissed her so gently and softly that she struggled to hold back a whimper. After a long moment in which she could hear her heart racing, he pulled away, leaving her craving his touch and taste.

‘Umm . . .’ Her senses were so clouded with his presence and his kiss that she couldn’t form a coherent thought, let alone a sentence.

‘Sorry.’ He held his hands up, looking so sheepish that she couldn’t help but smile. ‘I just couldn’t resist. Sorry. I’m just so excited. The committee approved the surgery as the charity for this year’s Summer’s Christmas. We’re going to save the surgery.’ His eyes were alight with joy. ‘And it’s all because of the proposal we put together.’

The words filtered through the haze he had created. ‘That’s fantastic.’

‘You are fantastic.’ He leaned in to kiss her again, but she ducked to the side.

‘Callum . . .’ Her voice was strangled by emotion, but she forced herself to speak. ‘I don’t think we should be doing this.’

‘Doing what?’

She forced air into her lungs on a shaky breath. ‘This. You kissing me.’

‘Oh, Liv.’ He stroked her cheek gently. ‘If you’d let me, I’d do a helluva lot more than just kiss you.’

‘Callum, I don’t . . .’

‘Relax. I’m not propositioning you right now, although I wouldn’t say no if you wanted me to.’ He gave her a grin that turned her knees — and her resolve — to jelly. ‘Let me take you out to dinner tonight, to say thank you properly.’

‘I don’t know if that’s a good idea.’ The way he was looking at her, she knew it wasn’t the smart, safe thing to do — but at the same time she really wanted to say yes.

‘I disagree. I think it’s a very, very good idea.’ The heat in his eyes was as tempting as Brockle cakes fresh from the bakery’s oven. ‘And it’s only dinner, Liv. In a public place. It’s perfectly safe.’

‘But I’m already planning on leaving.’ She didn’t know why she was still arguing.

‘But you’re here right now.’

‘What about Sarah?’

‘She’s sleeping over with Summer. Apparently they have “super important bridesmaid stuff” to talk about.’ His thumb traced the line between her cheek and her chin, leaving a trail of goose pimples that tickled down her spine. ‘Tell me if I’m wrong, if you don’t want to have dinner with me, and spend time with me, and explore this. Tell me that, and I’ll back right off. But if I’m right, maybe try to stop worrying so much, Liv. Maybe, just for tonight, you should give your big, beautiful brain a rest and just do what you want, without second-guessing everything and worrying so much about every little thing.’

He had a point, and she found herself nodding. ‘OK.’

‘Brilliant.’ He brushed a kiss against her cheek, just catching the corner of her lips and making her skin tingle. ‘Now don’t take this wrong, because I think you look breath-taking right now, but I was thinking maybe the Old Mill? It’s about half an hour drive. It’s beautiful, and sits on the river’s edge, but it might get a little chilly.’

‘I’ll get changed. Make yourself at home.’ Liv slipped past him and raced up the stairs, already calculating exactly how many minutes she could spend getting ready before she was officially “trying too hard” for their . . . date? Officially, he’d asked her out to thank her for her help — and to celebrate the next step in saving the surgery. A friendly gesture. But the way he’d kissed her, and the promise he’d made of “a helluva lot more” was so, so much more than just friendly.

* * *

Callum smiled at Liv as she polished off the last potato on her plate and folded her napkin and placed it on the table. ‘That was absolutely delicious. And the company hasn’t been too bad, either.’

‘Well, I do try my best.’ He lifted the bottle of champagne from its frosty ice bucket and offered to top up her glass.

‘It’s been a wonderful evening.’ She gave him a smile so happy and open that he couldn’t resist the urge to reach out and take her hand.

‘The evening isn’t over yet, unless you’re in a rush to head home?’

‘No, no rush.’

‘Good. They do this amazing chocolate fondue dessert and serve it over the firepits on the deck. Sarah loves it, but I have the feeling that sharing it with you could be a whole different experience.’ He didn’t miss Liv’s slight shiver.

‘It depends.’ She toyed with her champagne glass. ‘If there are firepits, are there marshmallows?’