not exactly the usual look, is it?’ she said, tugging at his shaggy hair.
‘What do you mean?’ He was distracted by her lips and blue eyes and only looked up when she gave his hair an extra tug.
‘Most surgeons go for the ultra-short look.’
‘I’m not most surgeons,’ he growled.
‘I get that.’
‘Just imagine me shipwrecked on a mysterious island. This is the natural look for me.’
‘Good, because I like it. It suits you.’ She gave him a cheeky wink. ‘Now, don’t ever cut it. I might go off you.’ She stood up. ‘So, fancy a late dinner at mine?’
She said the words so easily. Probably never expecting him to hesitate. But he did. This was his chance. This was his opportunity to let her spread her wings and fly. To stop any chance of him hurting her. But there was still a little something in her eyes. Still a little lack of confidence.
So he smiled, standing up and taking her hand. ‘I think I can manage that.’ He changed his mind, dropping her hand and wrapping his arm around her shoulder. She was closer this way.
Eventually he would have to let her go.
Eventually he would have to tell her the truth.
Just not right now.
‘LEXI, CAN I speak to you a minute, please?’
Ethan Hunter was leaning on her doorframe. He’s still not using his stick. It was her first thought and she quickly pushed it out of her head. It was none of her business.
She pushed her chair back and stood up, walking over towards the door. ‘No problem, Ethan. What can I do for you?’
She was very busy, and between an influx of high-profile clients, thanks to her PR campaign, her nights with Iain and her charity work, she hardly had a moment to think. But Ethan very rarely bothered her and she wanted to give him the attention he deserved.
Ethan looked a little uncomfortable. Was that his leg again, or was he just choosing his words carefully?
‘Lexi, I wanted to ask you about something. I’ve seen some paperwork lying about and heard some of the other surgeons talking about Fair Go. Can you tell me what it is?’
Lexi straightened her shoulders and put on her brightest smile. ‘Why don’t you come and sit down, Ethan? I’m happy to fill you in on all the details of Fair Go. Can I get you some tea or coffee?’
Ethan shook his head and sat down in the leather high-backed armchair opposite her desk. He probably didn’t even realise the visible sweep of relief that came across his face as he took the weight off his leg.
Lexi shuffled some papers on her desk until she found what she was looking for. ‘Here it is. Fair Go—it’s a great name, isn’t it? Named after Olivia Fairchild, the nurse who started it.’
She looked up in time to see Ethan visibly pale. Maybe his leg gave him more pain than he let on?
She moved on. ‘It’s an African-based charity focusing on helping adults and children affected by war. It’s a small charity right now, but with our backing Olivia is hoping she will be able to assist more victims. She has several cases already that could do with transport to the UK for specialist surgery.’ She smiled over at Ethan. ‘I take it you’ll be keen to take part?’
It seemed an obvious question. She knew that Ethan had been a victim of war himself so it seemed only natural he would want to help others. It just seemed odd his brother hadn’t mentioned it—but, then again, she couldn’t really fathom the relationship between the brothers. And she knew better than to interfere in other families’ problems.
Ethan’s voice was strained. ‘Of course I’ll take part. I knew another charity was being proposed for the clinic—I just hadn’t heard the details yet. That’s why I asked Iain if he’d be willing to participate too. I take it he was happy to help?’
Lexi felt an odd rush of colour to her cheeks. Oh, no. Just the mention of Iain’s name was causing her to blush. Talk about giving herself away.
‘Yes, yes. Well, you know Iain. I had to persuade him a little.’ Had she really managed to say that without turning beetroot red?
‘I’m sorry I haven’t done your interview yet, Lexi.’ Ethan had the good grace to look a little shame-faced. ‘It’s just not really my thing. I prefer to stay out of the spotlight. I am happy to support the charity work, though.’
He was staring at the paper on her desk—the one with the details of Olivia Fairchild’s charity. And he was looking at it with such ferocity that she knew something else was going on entirely. She wouldn’t like to be in Leo Hunter’s shoes right now.
She decided to give him an out. ‘I spent three weeks chasing you for an interview, Ethan—I can take a hint. Iain gave in after two. I think we’ll be able to use his interview for some very effective publicity. I finished the edits on it last night and we’re ready to release it online in a few days. So I think I can release you from your obligation.’
She saw a little tension sag out of his shoulders and he stood up from the chair. ‘Lexi, just to let you know. We had news yesterday of some other big-name clients. Sheikh Abdullah’s wife, Lydia Jones the newscaster and Violet Ingram the equestrian who fell in the recent Games, to name a few. They’re all coming here for surgery. I don’t know what you’ve been doing out there—but it’s obviously working.’
His dark hazel eyes were full of sincerity. ‘Thanks, Lexi. This will make a world of difference for us, particularly around our charity work.’
‘That’s why you pay me, Ethan. I’m just happy you think I’m doing a good job.’ She watched as he walked to the door, his limp still visible.
This was the longest conversation she’d ever had with Ethan Hunter. She didn’t know if he’d always been this quiet or if it was since his return from his tour of duty in Afghanistan. It was obvious he’d been injured in the field. But she wasn’t entirely sure what those injuries were. Just that while it was obvious he wasn’t back to full fitness yet, it was equally obvious that he wasn’t really ready to accept that.
She just hoped she hadn’t stoked some still-smouldering fire between the brothers by telling Ethan about the Fair Go charity.
It seemed ridiculous. A number of other members of the clinic knew about Fair Go. Any one of them could have told Ethan about it.
So why was she hoping against hope that he wouldn’t tell Leo it had been her?
‘Time for coffee?’
The voice at the door startled her and she smiled as Carrie, one of the receptionists, appeared. Truth was, she didn’t really have time to breathe let alone have coffee but she needed a break. And she needed some fresh air. She nodded. ‘How about the coffee house at the end of the street? I could do with a walk.’
Carrie nodded and waved the purse she was holding in her hand. ‘I was hoping you might say that. Let’s go.’
They walked down the street swiftly. Lexi never did anything slowly and she was trying her best not to glance at her watch.
‘So where have you been? I’ve hardly seen you these last few weeks.’
‘I know. I’ve been rushed off my feet with the publicity campaign for the clinic and the charities.’ She counted off on her fingers. ‘In the last fourteen days I’ve been to Spain, Switzerland, Dubai and Belgium. I’m frazzled. And I’m due to launch the video interview of Iain in the next few days.’
Carrie nodded. She was smiling but Lexi could tell she wasn’t