'Saving lives is what we do in A and E.' His tone was matter-of-fact and a touch impatient as he addressed the student nurse. 'It's the job. Any of the doctors here would have done the same.'
Keely could tell by the look on the young nurse's face that she didn't believe him, that she'd suddenly turned Zach into some sort of god with supernatural powers.
Nicky had obviously noticed, too, because she dealt with the situation quickly.
'You're needed in the dressing clinic, Bella,' the A and E sister said hastily, ushering the young student nurse out of the room before she could say anything else.
Zach made no reference to the incident, instead thanking them all for their help and issuing a few final instructions to Nicky before striding out of the room to talk to the patient's friends who were waiting in the relatives' room.
Keely exchanged looks with Nicky. 'Does he have that effect on everyone?'
Nicky nodded as she started to clear up the debris in the room.
'Everyone female. They soon get over it when they realise he isn't interested.'
Keely threw some rubbish in the bin and tried to sound casual. 'Isn't he?'
'Never.' Nicky glanced up and shook her head slowly as she looked at her. 'Oh, no. Not you, too.'
Keely stiffened. 'What do you mean?'
'I recognise that expression on your face. I've seen it too many times before not to. Don't fall for him, Keely,' Nicky warned, lowering her voice as she spoke. 'It's a quick route to a broken heart.'
Keely licked dry lips. 'Do lots of women fall for him?'
'What do you think?' Nicky pulled a face and tilted her head to one side. 'Zach Jordan is so good-looking he can't walk down a street without women getting neck ache as they stare at him. He's clever—very clever—and on top of that he's got this air of calm confidence that women find irresistible. Pretty devastating combination of qualities. Of course lots of women fall for him.'
'Is he married?'
Now, why on earth had she asked that question?
Nicky's expression was suddenly remote and discouraging. 'I can't discuss Zach's private life—it wouldn't be right. But take it from me, he's not available.'
Keely frowned slightly, wondering why Nicky hadn't just answered her question.
'Forget him, Keely. He's a colleague and nothing more.' Nicky opened a laryngoscope to check the bulb. 'I know he's good-looking but, like I said, falling for Zach is a quick route to a broken heart.'
Unfortunately her warning was about eight years too late, Keely thought gloomily as she ripped off her gloves and tossed them in the bin. She'd fallen heavily for Zach when she'd first met him and she had a nasty feeling that nothing much had changed. He still had the power to turn her insides to jelly.
CHAPTER TWO
'Fancy a drink?' Nicky opened her locker and pulled out her coat and bag. 'There's a lovely pub just across the road. Log fire, nice staff, dishy barman...'
Keely grinned. 'In that case, definitely.'
It had been a long and stressful day so maybe a drink was just what she needed. A drink and the chance to stare at a dishy man who wasn't Zach. With any luck she'd fall madly in love with the barman.
'I'll just give Fiona and Adam a shout,' Nicky said, fastening her locker and putting on her coat. 'They're both off now, too.'
Keely took a deep breath. 'And Zach?'
Nicky shook her head. 'Not Zach. Zach never joins us and anyway...' she frowned at Keely '...I've already warned you.'
'I know.' Keely wrapped a wool scarf around her neck and smiled brightly 'Just being sociable, that's all. He is one of the team.'
'At work, yes,' Nicky agreed, walking across the staff-room and tugging open the door, 'but out of work—no. Zach keeps himself to himself.'
Did he? Why?