Page 20 of Dr. Attending

“Yeah.” Parker lets out a long exhale. “Well, Morgan and I have an agreement. It’s fine.”

His words trigger something in my brain, reminding me of the text he sent me. Nine people. I still don’t know who the extra additions are.

“You never told me—”

I don’t get my entire question out because there’s suddenly a loud thud followed by muffled giggles on his end of the line.

“Out!” he shouts, using his stern older-brother voice that’s supposed to be intimidating but isn’t.

Whoever he’s talking to doesn’t listen because I hear more laughter and some sort of pumping noise.

“Morgan. Do not spray—” he warns, but clearly it’s too late because he yells an obscenity before popping back on the line.“I’ve got to run. I’ll send you the address for where you need to go. Thanks again. Love you.”

Chapter 7

Weston

She’s on her way.

I read the message and then re-read it to make sure I’m not hallucinating.

I felt terrible when I had to text Parker this morning to tell him that I wouldn’t be able to come to his wedding this weekend. It’s a step in the right direction for our friendship and while I appreciate the hell out of the invitation, my son’s safety comes first.

When I took my car in yesterday for a quick tune up, they told me that the side door airbags had just been recalled and the replacement part wouldn’t be in for another few days.If I had childcare, I probably would’ve brushed it off and made the drive to Virginia anyway. But my parents are out of town, and I didn’t want to deal with the hassle of trying to find a rental car during a holiday weekend. Plus, the thought of making the trip alone withCarter was somewhat daunting, so backing out almost felt like a relief.

Until Parker called me and refused to accept no for an answer. He simply told me that I was coming, and that Caroline would pick us up on her way out of town this afternoon. I’m not sure what he said to convince her, considering she loathes me, but I guess I’m about to find out.

I type back an appreciative response before glancing down at my son. He’s been hanging out in his high chair for the past ten minutes, watching me like a hawk as I pack his snack bag.

“Yes, I remembered the puffs. You ready to go?”

Carter flashes me a toothy grin as he bangs his hands against the plastic tray table like he’s giving me a drumroll.

I have no clue how he still has energy since we’ve barely slept all week. But then again, his last lateral incisor finally pushed through overnight so he’s probably just thrilled that he’s not in pain anymore.

I press a kiss to his rosy cheek and scoop him up, making my way to the front of the house.

My jaw nearly drops to the floor as I round the corner and see the pile of bags laid out by the door because it looks like we’re leaving for a week rather than a few days.It’s possible that I might have gone a little overboard when I was packing, but since this is my first overnight trip with him, I’d rather lug around too much than risk forgetting something essential. When you think about it, how many diapers aretoomany diapers, really?

Carter babbles something incoherent, and I grin. “I know, buddy. You think daddy is crazy too, huh?”

As I’m adjusting him on my hip, my phone vibrates to notify me that there’s movement in my driveway. I glance out the window, spotting a familiar black Audi Q5 rolling to a stop.

I give the bags by the door one last glance, mentally ticking through the checklist I made this morning. Wipes? Check. Extraclothes? Check. Snacks for the road? Check. His favorite pacifier that he refuses to go without? Check. I’m probably forgetting something, but most of the small stuff can be picked up at a local grocery store if necessary.

I open the door and watch as Caroline walks toward us, her focus glued to her phone as she furiously taps the screen.

It’s been two years since I last saw her—two years since I got to enjoy the look on her face when we’d spar back and forth. The way her nose would wrinkle in frustration, or her full lower lip would thin as she pulled it between her teeth, fighting to keep her temper in check.

You’d never know it because of how much I messed with her back then, but I always felt weirdly protective of her. Even at eighteen, she was the one person who never fell for my bullshit—it was refreshing, and I’ve always admired the hell out of her for that.

“Hey, princess. Thanks for the ride,” I say, leaning casually against the doorframe as I purposely resurrect the nickname she used to hate.

I can’t remember the origin of the nickname, exactly, but I started it the first summer I spent at their lake house, and it kind of stuck around from there. When we grabbed drinks, Parker mentioned that they still call her that occasionally, and it made me smile because I know it means she’s forced to think of me, even when she doesn’t want to.

Caroline stops mid step, rolling her full lips between her teeth like she’s holding herself back. Her sapphire-blue eyes snap to mine, and for a second, I forget how to breathe because she’s the same woman I remember, but somehow completely different at the same time.

Her dark brown ponytail is pulled back so tight that it highlights every sharp angle of her high cheekbones. Her beigetennis dress flutters against her long, toned legs as she moves, and all I can think about is how stunningly beautiful she is.

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