The Surgeon’s Best Friend Dilemma - Chapter 8

'I don’t know if this is a good idea, Evan.’ Natasha was waiting outside the ward door with a waggy Eddy, having doubts about what they were doing here.

‘It is. Chloe has shut herself off from everyone. I’ve spoken to her father, and he thinks she’ll respond to our canine friend too.’ Evan did his best to reassure her, and even though she was glad he’d sought permission from the child’s family first, the responsibility was weighing heavily on Natasha.

‘But this is Eddy’s first time as a qualified therapy dog. I’m worried that he, and I, will let everyone down.’ This was what they’d been working towards but here, now, when there was so much riding on the training being a success, she wondered if they were up to the task at hand.

‘I believe in you. Both of you.’

‘Thanks, but it’s a lot of pressure when this is our first therapy visit.’ Made more difficult by the fact it was both her and Evan’s patient.

‘Listen, it’s all been approved on trial. Let’s just see how it goes. You got this, Natasha.’

Evan gave her a smile and a shoulder squeeze, and Natasha was beginning to realise why Eddy got so excited when he paid him attention too. After the shower incident, she’d had to face the fact that her feelings towards Evan were changing. That she was attracted to him. And she didn’t know how to deal with it.

At some point, unbeknown to her, his role in her life had changed to something more significant than a close friend. Now everything she did for him took on a different meaning and she found herself wanting to make him happy. Perhaps in the hope that he’d start to see her in a different light too. Even if she didn’t know what that would mean for them, or whether or not she wanted their status quo to change. They’d known each other for so long, and both been hurt in the past, and she wasn’t sure that getting involved would be a good idea. Despite her increasing feelings for him, they might be better off just as they were. They should focus on their most pressing problem. Chloe.