Page 41 of Accidental Doctor Daddy

And with one word, he took the mood down by ten notches. I didn’t see it but heard Gina’s spiked heel click against the floor, and Leonardo winced.

Now, I know why she had worn them to family brunch. I braced myself for my son’s vitriol and said, “Neglect? Sounds depressing.”

He shot her a glance. “It’s winter. Winter is depressing.”

“It doesn’t have to be,” she said, smiling. “You could get out there and enjoy the snow, you know.”

The harshness in his eyes faded. “Only you enjoy the snow, Reggie.”

His childhood nickname for Regina always got her goat. “You said you’d be nice today. Don’t make me use my enforcers.”

“Sorry, yeah, didn’t mean it. Just keep those damn heels to yourself.” He muttered under his breath, “Reggie.”

Another click.

“Ow! You bitch!”

She merely smiled at him. “And don’t you forget it.”

I pointed at his mimosa. “You know, if you drank less of that, you might be less of a smartass.”

“If I drankmoreof this, I might find your advice welcome,” Leo shot back, grinning.

Gina rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. “Okay, children, let’s all play nice today.”

I shook my head, but I didn’t push it. This was how things were with Leonardo. He was sarcastic, biting, always testing the line between casual and antagonistic. His jabs at her were playful. He never wanted to hurt Gina’s feelings. When it came to me, his responses were varied. One moment, it might be a teasing jab. The next might be a cut to the bone. He made an effort, though—only for Gina’s sake.

“I forgot how good the food is at Mel’s,” Gina sighed, reaching for a croissant.

“Youownan apartment in the city,” I pointed out. “You could go there more often.”

“Yeah, but brunch isn’t as fun without you two,” she teased.

Leo scoffed. “Yeah, because Dad and I aresoentertaining.”

“You are,” Gina said, grinning as she buttered her croissant. “You just don’t realize it.”

Leo smirked. “If I had known this brunch was going to be about showering me with compliments, I would have worn something nicer.”

His hair looked like it had been washed last week sometime and his clothes weren’t pressed. His appearance was disrespectful and aimed at me. He knew I preferred them to dress well for our brunches.

I couldn’t hold my tongue. “Please,” I said, cutting into my T-bone. “You probably rolled out of bed five minutes before she picked you up.”

“Fifteen,” Leo corrected. “I’m responsiblenow, remember?”

“Oh? And what does ‘responsible’ look like these days?”

Leo leaned back, popping a grape into his mouth. “Wearing a watch. Keeping plants alive. Occasionally making dinner instead of ordering takeout.”

Gina snorted. “Thatisan improvement.”

“You see?” Leo gestured to her. “I amthriving.”

I shook my head, but a small smirk tugged at my lips. “Right.Thriving.”

He just shrugged. “You laugh, but my apartmentdoeshave a living basil plant. I’ve had it for over a month, and it’s still alive. Be impressed.”

I rolled my eyes, but Gina gasped dramatically. “Leo, is this your way of telling us you’re going to open a restaurant?”

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