Page 82 of Dr. Attending

“Cass, dear,” I sneer, narrowing my eyes at the woman standing in the doorway. “Do you really think your husband would appreciate the fact that you just barged your way into his friend’s bedroom?”

I know I sound like a patronizing asshole right now, but I don’t care. I’m irritated because I’ve been incredibly respectful of the boundaries that Cassidy has set between us since I came back into town, and the least she could do is give me the same courtesy.

My irritation burns hotter when my gaze lands on Carter, perched on her hip and reaching out for me.

My son is supposed to be with my parents, so I have no fucking idea why Cassidy has him right now. I have no problem with them spending time together here and there, but someone should have given me a heads up.

“Wes, dear,” Cassidy says sweetly, her smile like sugar-coated venom. “Do you really think my husband would appreciate what I found when I barged into that bedroom?”

Touche.

Before I can respond, Caroline lets out a massive groan. She throws the covers off her body and sits up, snapping her gaze at me first.

“Wes,” she spits, pointing a finger at me for emphasis. “I swear to God, if I ever hear you talk about my brother while I’m in your bed again, I’ll never get back into it.”

I blink several times because I can’t figure out if I’m intimidated by the way her sharp glare burns a hole into my soul . . . or seriously turned on.

But Caroline doesn’t miss a beat. Her attention turns to Cassidy, her tone ice cold.

“And Cass. What I do in this bed—or any bed, for that matter—is none of my brother’s business. Or yours. Got it?”

The room falls silent, the air thick with tension as the three of us try to process where to go from here.

I open my mouth to say something—anything—but my brain feels like it’s short-circuited. All I can do is stare at Caroline, in awe of her fiery confidence.

Fuck me . . . I’m definitely turned on.

“Alright. Alright.” I finally manage with a forced laugh. “It’s early, and daddy hasn’t had his coffee yet. Cass, I’d love to hear about how you ended up with my son . . . and how you got a key to my house. But”—I gesture vaguely under the covers, lowering my voice—“let’s just say that I need a minute.”

Cassidy’s eyes widen like she’s horrified, and she quickly backtracks and shuts the door without another word.

I chuckle and give Caroline a sheepish grin. “Want to help me out, princess?”

She whacks my arm with the back of her hand.“You’re a moron.”

I pull her closer, planting a kiss on her forehead.

“I’m your moron.”

Chapter 29

Caroline

In the years since she has come into my brother’s life, Cassidy and I have gotten to know each other fairly well. And while I might not be as close to her as my older sister is, I respect her a lot. She’s patient, thoughtful, and incredibly empathetic—the kind of person we needed in our family. And that’s why I’m trying my hardest to give her the benefit of the doubt right now, despite what just happened.

“Do you want anything to eat?” I ask as I open the refrigerator to grab a container of grapes like I live here.

To be fair, I have lived here for the past week, but what I’m doing right now is petty—it’s an obvious power move that I should be above.

But I’m not.

I’m jealous, uneasy, and desperately wishing that I didn’t ask Weston to give us some space to talk.

“No, I’m good,” Cassidy replies, eyeing me suspiciously as she takes a seat at the kitchen island. “I ate this morning at the club.”

A prickle of irritation shoots up my spine, even though she just explained the story to both Weston and me.

Unbeknownst to me—or Weston, apparently—Cassidy still has monthly catch ups with his mom and they met this morning for brunch. According to Cassidy, his mom got pulled into some emergency fundraising meeting, tossed her the spare house key, and asked if she could drop Carter off on her way home.

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