Page 115 of Dr. Attending

“Weston.” Caroline’s midnight-blue eyes narrow on me suspiciously as the wheels in her head start turning. “Did you have something to do with Morgan making me come to the hospital for her fake nausea?”

I take several steps forward, leaning in and lowering my voice so nobody passing by will hear what I’m about to say. “Did you really think I kept an inflatable ball gag in my office?”

Her cheeks flush a pretty shade of pink, but she doesn’t give me the satisfaction of a comeback right away.

I let the moment simmer, enjoying the way her mouth twitches—like she’s trying to decide whether to slap me or kiss me.

“Though,” I continue, straightening with a sly grin, “if you end up doing a residency here . . . maybe I’ll have to.”

I wink at her and start walking, knowing she’ll follow—my girl just can’t stop herself from having the final word.

Chapter 41

Caroline

One step closer to MD. Congrats, Caroline!

Iread the massive banner hanging in the ortho residency lounge several times as noise erupts around me, trying to sear this moment into my memory. Every sound, every smile, every detail—I want to hold onto it forever.

Cassidy and my brother are proudly standing behind a giant cookie cake with the word “PASS” scrawled in black frosting, just like it appeared on the board website. Beau has his arms wrapped around my sister, the two of them cheering louder than anyone in the center of the room. And beside them, Walker and Morgan are each gripping one of Carter’s hands, holding him steady as he stands between them.

My throat tightens, tears pricking at the edges of my eyes as I glance at Weston.

He’s so much more than he let the world see for his entire life—so much more than he let me see until recently. When he came back into my life, I was terrified that he was going to break me. But it turns out that he healed me instead.

He pulled me out of my head and reminded me of the important things in life, even when he knew I wouldn’t listen. He opened my heart and changed my perspective, even when I swore he would never change. He stuck by my side and left the porch light on, even when I wasn’t ready to climb up his steps.

Weston Southerland is my favorite thing to be happy about. He will always be my favorite thing to be happy about.

Weston beams down at me, looking more proud in this moment than he did when we were alone together in his office. He knows how important these people are to me—because they’re just as important to him.

When my mom died, it felt like we were alone. Just three siblings, drifting apart without the one person who had always held us together. But Midtown Memorial Hospital changed everything.

It changed us.

We’ve each found people who have forced us to grow in ways that we never thought we could. And we’ve added a few bonus family members along the way.

I can confidently say that who we were before Cassidy, Beau, Morgan, Walker, and Weston came into our lives, was nothing compared to who we are today. And for that, I am forever grateful.

“Thank you,” I manage, blinking up at the man who continues to surprise me each and every day. “I don’t know how you did this . . . but thank you, Wes.”

Weston squeezes my hand as our friends rush forward. “You deserve it, princess.”

My sister barrels into me first, pulling me into her arms.

“Did you know?” she asks, spinning me in circles until I feel like I’m going to dry heave. “This morning when we saw you, did you know?”

Claire pauses but keeps a firm grip on my arms, her icy-blue eyes sparkling with excitement. “I told BB he wassoobvious, and that he was going to ruin the surprise.”

“BB?” I frown, trying to keep up.

She jerks her chin toward the giant brute beside her. “Bologna Beau.”

“Congrats, Sis,” Beau says warmly, wrapping his beefy arms around me in the biggest bear hug I’ve ever received. “I knew you could do it.”

I pull back and shoot him a quick wink. “Thanks, Bro.”

Both Beau and Claire’s faces light up.

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