Page 53 of Accidental Doctor Daddy

“Hey, Mama,” Carrie teased, her voice crackling with warmth. “How are my favorite twins? And how areyou?”

I watched Marissa’s tiny foot kick at the blanket while Summer seemed to be dozing off. “We’re good. I’m risking a walk in the sunshine.”

Carrie let out a soft laugh. “That’s what I like to hear. So, listen, I hate to be a workaholic tyrant, but I wanted to check in about your return. You mentioned maybe coming back by the end of the month?”

I’d known this conversation was coming. Carrie had been unbelievably kind with my leave—especially given the drama of my preterm labor. The preterm aspect threw things into chaos at the restaurant, I was sure of that. “Yeah,” I said, fiddling with my coffee sleeve. “End of the month should still be fine,ifI can find a nanny.”

She hesitated, concern bleeding through the line. “I can give you more time if you need it. Suivante will survive, I promise.”

For a split second, I considered taking her up on it. But the restaurant was like oxygen to me—I missed the kitchen, the rush of prepping for service, the dance of plates and staff. And I didn’t want to exploit Carrie’s generosity. “No, it’s okay. I can’t hide forever, right? Besides, I need to feel likemeagain. I miss me.”

“We miss you, too. Hell, even in our visits, I haven’t heard you swear once. What’s up with that? You’re not turning all perfect mom on me, are you?”

I snorted a laugh and part of my cappuccino. After blotting and making sure I didn’t waste a drop of my life-affirming coffee, I realized she was right. I’d been almost G-rated lately.Weird.“Oh fuck no. Can’t really say why. Tired, I guess.”

“If you say so,” she teased. “But if I see you in makeup or high heels?—”

“Then my body was taken over by aliens and you should run and save yourself.”

Carrie laughed that way that I missed. “Will do. Just keep me posted on the nanny thing, okay?”

“You got it.” I set my phone down, heart thudding.

A nanny.

The word alone made me queasy. The idea of leaving my babies—my tiny preemies—in someone else’s care felt like handing my soul to a stranger.

But what other choice did I have? Dom had his own chaos, and I wasn’t about to rely on him full-time, especially not when we were…whatwere we, exactly?

I sipped my coffee again, letting out a breath.We’re nothing.We shared a past night of passion, a shocking revelation, and a pair of newborns.

And a hell of a lot of unanswered questions.

Yet, my hormones apparently decided to stage a rebellion, because just thinking about Dom’s dark eyes and that slow, devastating smile made me want to slam my cappuccino and sprint across town to see him.

The twins dozed, their tiny cheeks glowing pink in the sunlight. So peaceful. So perfect. So mine. And his.

That truth jabbed at me—sharper than I expected. I’d carried them, birthed them, but Dom? He was already hooked. Already ready to fight for them. And as much as I’d planned to do this alone, part of me liked that he wanted in. More than liked it.

But then the darker thought crept in. What happens when he finds out who you are to Leo?

I shoved it aside. Not today. One storm at a time.

I sipped the last of my coffee, sighed, and packed up. The twins were starting to stir—tiny fists wriggling free of their blankets.

“Alright, ladies,” I murmured, tucking them in tighter. “Sun time’s over. Let’s make it home before you launch a rebellion.”

I cast one last look at the dad in the park—the way he scooped up his giggling toddler like it was the easiest thing in the world. A pang of longing hit, but I rolled my shoulders back. My path wasn’t easy. It never had been.

But it was mine.

And if Dom wanted to walk it with me? Maybe—just maybe—I’d let him try. Once I survived going back to work. Once I figured out how to protect my girls. Once I decided what the hell to do with this ticking-time-bomb of a secret burning a hole in my chest.

Chapter 20

Dom

Ihadn’t seen Ella or the girls since that night.

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