gold shoes were only just visible at the hemline. She was quite petite, almost six inches shorter than Flick, so had decided to teeter all night in the name of fashion, and a little bit of vanity.
Sophia walked alongside Flick, smiling as they entered the ballroom that was abuzz with the noise of the guests’ chatter and a live jazz band.
‘Let’s see what tonight brings, then, shall we?’ Sophia said as she linked her arm through Flick’s.
They were seated at a round table of eight with a vascular surgeon and his wife, two single nurses and two medical students, who were also single and more than a little smitten with the attractive nurses. Unfortunately they were only first-year students and not exactly husband material in the young nurses’ eyes, so their advances were politely ignored.
The table decorations were simple but effective: huge square-cut crystal vases on each table filled with twelve long-stemmed white roses tied with a large cream organza bow. The tablecloths were black, as were the napkins. It was without doubt the most elegant affair that Flick had attended and she was very happy she had worn a dress befitting the event.
A delicious salmon entrée was followed by a main course of lamb in red-wine jus. When the plates from the second course were being collected, Flick tried not to appear obvious as she looked around the room for Tristan. She had not seen him when she’d arrived for pre-dinner drinks, neither could she find him in the sea of elegantly clad guests when everyone was seated. Her heart sank a little and she surmised that it was more than likely he had been called to an emergency at the hospital. She was surprised when a wave of disappointment washed over her and threatened to dampen the entire evening.
He was all she’d been able to think of while she’d showered, dressed and applied her make-up and during the limousine drive to the ball. While being attracted to him was a little exciting, the thought of acting on it scared her to the core. But something was still drawing her to him despite being scared. It was an odd feeling, one she had definitely never experienced before.
Flick suddenly felt fabric brush across her back and assumed it was the waiter bringing more wine.
‘No, thank, you. One glass is enough for me,’ she said, placing her hand over the rim of the glass.
‘I’ll remember that, Flick. Now you’ve cleared it up, I won’t randomly pour wine into your glass each time I pass by you.’
Flick recognised Tristan’s voice from the time they had spent together that afternoon and she turned to find him smiling down at her, all six feet two of him dressed in black. While in his scrubs at work he was undeniably attractive and the near-naked, swimsuit look that morning had been amazing, her breath was stolen when she saw him in his black tuxedo. The crisp white shirt exaggerated his tan further and his jaw was freshly shaven. She even noticed the platinum and black cufflinks and his highly polished patent-leather shoes. He was a vision of a male model, only better. And the scent of his cologne made her very aware of just how close he was to her.
‘I hope you’re enjoying the evening.’
‘Very much,’ she replied, still absorbing just how handsome and how close he was to her. ‘And you, are you having a nice time?’
He nodded his response, acknowledged the others at the table and then walked away without saying anything more. Flick looked ravishing and it validated his earlier decision to arrive late to the event. When he’d left her apartment that afternoon he’d known that his attraction to her was undeniably strong. And nothing good would come of it. But while he didn’t want to become involved, he couldn’t stay away. As he had sat on his bed, looking at his tuxedo hanging on the door, he’d told himself firmly to step back. Let Flick meet another man that night. There would be a number of eligible doctors who could give her what he couldn’t.
But then, looking at his watch and knowing the evening would be over soon, his feet hit the floor and he grabbed his suit. There was no turning back.
Flick was surprised and a little disappointed when Tristan left so quickly but imagined there were a lot of VIPs he needed to rub shoulders with at an event of this scale.
She noticed his table wasn’t far from the podium at the front of the ballroom.
‘Flick?’ Sophia leant in and whispered, with one eyebrow raised as she studied her friend’s face.
Flick smiled back nervously.
‘When did the most eligible but elusive cardiothoracic surgeon at the Victoria start calling you Flick and not Felicia or Midwife Lawrence?’
‘This morning, at the beach,’ Flick answered quickly, then, changing the subject, she reached for the menu. ‘I wonder what’s for the main course?’
‘We just finished main course,’ Sophia said, as she gently eased the glossy menu from Flick’s fingers and dropped her voice again. ‘At the beach this morning? You didn’t mention anything on the drive here tonight. What exactly happened? You’re not getting out of this one that easily, Flick. I confide in you and you keep your rendezvous with Dr Oh-My-God Gorgeous to yourself.’
Flick turned to Sophia and in an equally quiet voice responded, ‘I was walking on the beach, he was jogging, we started talking and he had coffee with me on my balcony. End of story.’
‘Excuse me … end of story? I don’t think so. I think it’s just the beginning. I saw the look in his eyes. It’s so obvious he has the biggest crush on you. So you, my single, gorgeous friend, are going over to his table right now to pick up where you left off this morning.’
‘I can’t leave you alone,’ she argued, as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
‘Flick, I know a zillion people in the room. So you’re not leaving me alone.’
‘But Oliver Evans has just sat down with him. I’m not about to interrupt their discussion. It’s probably something quite important and of a serious medical nature.’
‘And that is exactly why you are going over to rescue Tristan from a long-winded medical discussion at a social event. He can chat about all things medical tomorrow. Tonight he should be having fun and so should you. How often do we get to let our hair down and enjoy ourselves?’
‘I’m not sure, Sophia.’
Looking straight into her friend’s eyes, Sophia smiled. ‘Believe me, he needs saving. You’re the only one who can do it! Stop hiding away, Flick. You have to grab life with both hands.’
Sophia’s words struck a chord, and reminded her of her sister’s phone call that morning, but it was the feeling stirring inside her that made Flick rise from her chair. ‘I hope I don’t regret this.’
Sophia rested back in her chair and took a sip of her wine as she watched Flick make her way to Tristan’s table. ‘I’ve got a feeling you won’t regret anything about tonight, Flick Lawrence,’ she muttered.
Tristan’s face lit up as Flick approached and his elated expression wasn’t lost on Oliver.
‘I think I’m needed back at my table,’ Oliver said as he stood to leave. ‘I’ll catch you in your office tomorrow, Tristan. Enjoy your evening.’ He smiled at Flick before he walked away.
‘I hope I didn’t scare Dr Evans away.’
‘Flick,
