his back wasn’t so marred with scars from a surgery that had been botched.
The OR had been a place he loved. A chance to do the work he loved. It was exciting and challenging yet it grounded him. Almost as much as surfing. There was a thrill in the operating room, just like when he was on a board and shredding the nar.
And now he couldn’t do either.
At least he could coach Jack in surfing. At least he could be there as Jack’s sports medicine physician and get him to the world championships. Provided Lana and he were able to pull off this farce of a marriage.
“I’m sorry, Lana, but I can’t. I have other patients to see. I am the orthopedic doctor on call tonight. I diagnose them, you operate on them.”
She looked as if she was going to say more, but instead she nodded. “Okay, well, just make sure his labs get done and his family is notified. I’ll send a resident to come fetch him when it’s time to go to the OR. Start him on some antibiotics as well.”
I know.
“Will do.”
Lana nodded and left him. Andrew gripped the clipboard, his one good arm holding it tightly but his other arm shaking because it was weak and for that he hated himself a bit.
* * *
The surgery was almost textbook. Several times Lana looked up in the gallery to see if Andrew was up there, like he had been before, but he wasn’t. He was so afraid of the operating room.
What had happened?
She knew he had been a surgeon up in Canada. And she knew that he’d been a successful one. A sought-after surgeon who was innovative and ground-breaking. So why had he given it up?
Her father would grant Andrew surgical privileges in a heartbeat if Andrew gave any indication that he wanted to get back into the operating room. It actually made her a bit nervous when he did watch her.
Andrew had developed a bone flap method known as the Tremblay that was being used widely in Canada and across most states. Yet he had never offered to show anyone that technique. She’d always thought he just wanted to keep it to himself for job security, but now that he kept refusing to go into the operating room, and didn’t ask for surgical privileges, she couldn’t help but wonder more.
And she wondered if it had something to do with the shoulder and arm that seemed to grieve him the most.
Muscle tension, my ass!
Once she’d made sure their tourist patient was comfortable, out of the recovery room and in the care of a nurse that spoke French fluently she was able to finally go home for the night.
As she was gathering up her stuff, including the garment bag which held the dress for the gala tomorrow night, she passed by the Attending lounge. Drawn by the flicker of the television screen, she peered in the door.
Andrew was in there; he was leaned over, staring intently at the screen. He was watching a surfing semifinal, but she didn’t know from what year and it was too far away to make out who the surfer was.
When the surfer, riding on an enormous wave, fell off the board she winced.
That had to be a hard fall.
Andrew flicked off the television and then leaned over, his face buried in his hands, but only for a moment as he dragged his hands through his hair. She could see him mouthing curse words through the window.
She backed away from the Attending lounge because she didn’t want him to see her standing there, staring at him.
It was bad enough that when he was around she had a hard time focusing. He made her hot under the collar. He was dangerous to be around.
She’d had her heart broken by a cad before. Ever since then she’d learned not to allow herself near men like Andrew Tremblay.
Except you’re marrying him in forty-eight hours.
Lana shook her head. She had to get out of here.
Tomorrow was her day off, thankfully. All she wanted to do was get home, shower and get a good night’s sleep. And tomorrow morning she’d hit the beach with her board and just forget everything for a while.
It had been a long time since she’d surfed. Usually she was too busy, but tomorrow was a good time to burn off some steam. Some frustration and some sexual tension that she was experiencing lately since she had to deal with Andrew Tremblay on a regular basis.
She only hoped the weather cooperated or she might do something she’d regret the next morning.
And the thing was, she was going to have to stay married to her possible regret for a year.
There would be no escape. No easy out if she decided to walk down that uneasy path. She was too far down the rabbit hole now; there were too many people she’d disappoint if she backed out of the marriage of convenience now.
She was just going to do everything in her power not to fall prey to Andrew Tremblay’s charms.
Easier said than done.
TODAY WAS A perfect day to surf. The sea, the sun and the breeze. The water was dappled like diamonds in the brilliant sun.
The only shadow on the day and his plans was his bum shoulder and the fact tonight he had to attend a gala with Lana.
Andrew cursed himself inwardly for giving Jack the day off from training when he saw how ripe the waves were. He’d thought he was doing himself a favor by giving Jack the day off so he could just spend the day collecting his thoughts.
Last night, after he’d walked away from yet another surgery, he’d gone and watched surfing on television. Something he hadn’t done well since his accident. It was a video of his days before the accident. When he had been carefree and Meghan had been alive. From the days when he was still a surgeon and not the half man he’d become. When the whole world had been his for the taking. Now he deserved none of it.
He didn’t know what had compelled him to watch it.
You’re sick and twisted. That’s why.
Now, he was torturing himself further by walking on the beach in the early morning and watching choice waves roll in from the Pacific. This was not going to calm him down in time to escort Lana to the gala tonight. In fact it made him more agitated and he wanted to call it all off, but he couldn’t. He was in too deep.
The gala would be their first real test since announcing their engagement, proving to the world that they were a real couple.
He didn’t know what he was thinking, coming to the beach. As he longingly watched the waves, his hands jammed into his pockets, he spotted a surfer paddling to the shore and then hefting her bright turquoise board out of the water.
Oh, holy heck.
He’d come down here to collect his thoughts and prepare himself for the charade tonight. To steel himself against doing something crazy impulsive with Lana. And now here she was, coming out of the waves, just like the first time he’d seen her.
The short sleeve wetsuit clinging to her curves, her black hair slicked back from the water. The ocean glistening off her exposed skin like diamonds. It took him back to that day a couple of years ago when he’d first seen her. When he was first enticed by her and then realized she was Jack’s sister and therefore off limits.
Pull yourself together.
As if she knew that he was staring at her, Lana looked up, her dark eyes widening in surprise when she saw him.
“Andrew?”
There was no backing out and running the opposite way. He waved and walked over toward her, but keeping a safe distance so he wouldn’t act impulsively.
“Good