Page 99 of Dr. Attending

I arch my brow at him because I don’t think he knows what the word means. He’s been repeating “no” over and over again recently—it’s pretty much the only thing he’ll say other than “bye” or “bottle,” which baffles me because, for such a happy kid, he talks like a total grump.

“Yes,” I correct as I sling his diaper backpack over my shoulder. “Assuming your Uncle Parkie behaves.”

“He’s going to have to behave if he ever wants to be included in family dinner again,” Caroline says sweetly, giving me a quick wink before she starts up the freshly-paved walkway to the massive brick colonial, her high ponytail swishing with each step.

I didn’t get a good look at Caroline’s outfit earlier because I was focused on getting Carter’s stuff together, but now that I’m strolling behind her, I notice how the fitted navy leggings and matching zip-up hug her in all the right places.

I stop her before she can reach the door, unable to help myself from commenting on how good she looks.

“Speaking of behaving,” I murmur breathily as I lean into her ear. “I’m going to have a very hard time when you’re wearingthat.”

Caroline snickers, brushing her ass against me on purpose. “Sorry, Daddy. Our next playtime isn’t for another few hours.”

I bite the inside of my cheek to stifle a groan as the front door opens and Cassidy greets us with a knowing grin.

“Long time, no see,” she teases, stepping aside to let us in.

“Yeah, what’s it been? Four hours?” I ask as I walk into the house.

Cassidy laughs and turns to my son, changing her voice to a singsong tone. “Four hours too long.”

In all honesty, I was irritated when Cassidy barged into my house a few weeks ago. I love her like my own sister and knowthat she will be in my life forever, but the lack of boundaries was a little much, even for her.

But after she apologized several times and Caroline clued me in on their fertility struggles, I became a little more lenient with her constant requests to spend time with Carter. She took him to the zoo this morning while Parker went golfing, giving Caroline and me plenty of time to mess around with a few new toys.

“Yeah. Thanks for knocking this time, Cass.” Caroline smirks as she hands my son over.

Cassidy’s pale cheeks flush bright red. “Uh . . . so everyone’s in the living room watching college football. We’ve got wine and beer open, and Parker ran out to get the Mellow Mushroom pizza.”

I gesture down the hall with a smile. “Lead the way.”

Morgan’s voice booms above everyone else’s as we walk toward the living room, and it sounds like she’s complaining about something one of the new ER residents did.

Cassidy glances back and gives us a quick warning. “Don’t ask her about it. This is the third time she’s told the story today.”

Caroline laughs and shakes her head. “Trust me, I’ve already heard it. She sent me a voice note this morning and said I could use it as a teachable moment for how to avoid being a ‘dumb doctor’.”

“I could give her a few tips on how to avoid being a nosy nurse,” I snort because the number of times she’s tried to interrogate me about my relationship status at work is egregious.

Nobody notices us at first when we enter the spacious living room.

Beau is lounging back in an oversized leather chair, nursing a beer and watching the game, while Claire is perched on the armrest beside him, scrolling on her phone. Walker is sitting on the white sectional, his hand wrapped protectively aroundMorgan as she lies with her head in his lap, continuing to tell her story animatedly.

“Look who’s here,” Cassidy calls, holding Carter up in her arms like he’s inLion King.

Everyone’s head whips in our direction as a chorus of excitement rings through the air.

“Let me see my little buddy,” Walker says, his tone more upbeat than normal. He’s clearly looking forward to having a kid more than his wife is because she’s currently staring up at him with a frown.

“Wow, why do I never get that reaction from you? It’s like you don’t even care.”

Walker narrows his dark eyes. “Morgan . . . we talked about this. You don’t always have to be the center of attention.”

“No,” she grunts jealously and gets up to make room for my son.“But I should be.”

Cassidy passes him off and settles in the recliner next to Beau and Claire, and for a second I don’t know what to do. These people are my best friends—the people who know me better than anyone in the world—but everything feels different than it did a few months ago.It feels more real.

Caroline squeezes my hand, her deep blue eyes finding mine and instantly calming me. “Want me to grab us a glass of wine?”

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