Page 17 of Rockstar Baby Daddy

Which was exactly why I’d had Alex arrange a nice safe, sedan with automatic steering for him.

“You’re early,” I wrote and pointed at the board. “Automatic waiting for you at the airport.”

He waved off my words. “I’m your emergency contact, and yourfriendthought you might like to see a friendly face when you woke up so I changed my flight.”

“Thanks.” I grabbed my clothes and dressed quickly. “I can drive. I just can’t talk.”

“Too temptin’,” he answered quickly with a shake of his head. “Suzie said anything that might startle you could cause you to use your voice before its time. Now, come on, boy. We’ve got food, one of those steam treatment machines, booze for me, and a cute little driver to escort us. Best not keep her waiting. Wouldn’t be veryfriendlyof us.”

Suzie

“Rumor has it that you’ve been spotted around town with one Gavin Ross.” My brother Drew smiled at me from across the small table at Cowboy Café, a knowing gleam in his eyes.

I rolled my own eyes and let out a huff of laughter meant to hide the truth. “Rumor has it? I guess you’re settling back into Jackson’s Ridge better than you thought if you’re already listening to and reporting on the gossip. What’s next, you’ll be itching to be the first with the news?”

His dark brows dipped into a scowl and his blue eyes darkened, but his lips curled up in a smile. “You wish. All I’m saying is the hospital is buzzing with the news that you and Gavin area thing.”

Were we a thing? “He helped me when I twisted my ankle outside of his place and I helped him and his grandfather after his surgery. That’s all.”

“Hmm.” Drew stabbed at his steak like an animal, shoveling a big hunk in his mouth after a mountain of mashed potatoes had just gone in. “I’m just saying, you used to love him so much.”

I frowned and held my hand up to block his open mouth. “Gross, Drew. You’re a grownup now, a surgeon. Act like it, please.” The truth was, I had missed having my baby brother around, and now that he was back, I enjoyed these monthly dinners and his childish antics. “And I still do love him.”

Drew’s gaze perked up, a gleam entered his big blue eyes.

“As a musician.” I laughed when his shoulders fell in disappointment. “The older ladies must love having a handsome man to share the gossip with.”

His smile widened. “They do love to call me man candy. It’s strange because some of them are older than Nana, but it’s nice to be appreciated.”

“Plenty of women appreciate your looks.” And they would love to share a meal or his bed, a fact he well knew judging by the frown on his face.

“I’m not ready,” he growled angrily.

“I know you say you’re not ready, but it’s been three years and she wouldn’t want you to be alone.” Drew hadn’t dated or attempted to date since he lost his wife in a freak avalanche on a ski trip he couldn’t make because he’d been stuck in surgery.

“Yeah, well,Sarahisn’t here, so she doesn’t get a say in the matter.” He stabbed at the food on his plate as if it were the avalanche. I knew bringing her up would lead here, but I loved Drew and only wanted him to start living his life again. “I’ll date when I’m ready. What’s your excuse?”

I shrugged, trying for a small smile. “Not enough options, I suppose. Besides all that, running a hospital the size of JRMC is time-consuming, and no man wants to compete with that.” At least, not in my experience.

“That’s just an excuse, Suze.”

“It’s not. Trust me.” More than onealmost-relationship had failed because I didn’t have enough time in a day to coddle a grown man. A few lost interest early on, some strayed in my absence, and the ones I appreciated most were the honest ones, who flat out said they felt neglected. They moved on to less ambitious women and I wished them well. “But we were talking about you. Maybe dip your toe in the water with one of your gossip buddies?”

“The youngest is sixty-six, Suze!”

“And? Cougars are in these days, or haven’t you heard?”

“Suzie, stop. Please.” Drew held up his hands and cupped them over his ears. “If you don’t stop, I’ll go pump Gavin’s grandfather for information. I hear he’s quite the talker.”

“He is,” I sighed. “But there’s nothing for him to talk about, so go right ahead.” Gavin’s granddaddy was a character in his own right and the man wasn’t shy about, well, anything. “If anything, he’ll give you a few pointers on pleasing the ladies.”

Drew groaned and rolled his eyes. “What’s with this town and getting people coupled up? And why am I a target instead of you? You’re the one who has to worry about depleting eggs.”

My eyes widened at his words. “Seriously? I cannot believe you just said that to me!” Even though it was a real problem that became more of a concern with each passing year.

Drew shrugged. “It’s the truth. I’ll be able to make babies for decades, but you need to hurry up and find love so you can pop out a few little ones.”

I hated that he was right. As an adopted child, I wanted nothing more than a child of my own, something I didn’t share with anyone. “I could always adopt.”

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