Page 203 of Push

“You’re back!” The woman spritzed the counter with sanitizer and swiped it over with a paper towel. “And with Gwen!” She tottered over and stuck out her hand. “I’m Nina, but all the kids call me Nan.”

“Nina’s my assistant,” Toby added. “If…”

He left the rest unsaid, but I knew what he was asking:“If that’s okay with you.”

I offered my hand, and Nina latched on, pumping it up and down. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I said.

“I feel like I already know everything about you!” Nina’s laugh was bold and earthy. “Toby’s been delighting the kids all day with stories about fearless Queen Gwen.”

“Stories orhistories?” Toby winked. “We’ll never know.”

“Well, we certainly know Queen Gwen is excellent at remembering to brush her teeth before bedtime. Even the villainous Wizard Liam doesn’t stop her,” Nina said with another hearty laugh. “Well, I’d best be going!” She pitched the wadded-up paper towel in the trash and grabbed a pink backpack off the counter. “My husband will fade away if his dinner isn’t on the table at six o’clock. I tell him he’s got two perfectly good hands to cook for himself, but, ‘Nan,’ he says, ‘no one makes those potatoes like you,’ and, well, you can’t argue with that!”

When the door closed, Toby looked at me, brows drawn down. “Say something,” he pleaded. “No more of this polite talk you’ve been doing. Give it to me straight.”

“Relax, okay?” He didn’t. His lips pressed into a thinner line. “Everyone seems nice, and the barbecue sounds like fun,” I reassured him. “Your new clinic’s amazing.”

The rigid line of his shoulders eased. “And Nina?” he asked cautiously. “I don’t want you to think I chose to work with her because I’m worried about being tempted by someone younger.” He dragged a hand down his face. “That came out wrong. No one can tempt me, but I don’t want you to worry—”

“Tobes.” I arched up on my toes to peck a kiss on his cheek. “She’s got an energy that matches your vibe, and I love that you’re leaning into the whole pediatric angle. This job is perfect for you.”

“Yeah.” He smiled. “I know it’s only day one, but I can’t tell you what a relief it’s been to walk in knowing that no one’s future is resting on my shoulders. There are no dodgy books or any partnership crap to worry about. I come in, work hard, and clock off to get home where life matters most.”

I rewarded his last comment with a long kiss. When I edged back to catch my breath, I danced my fingers up his chest, smirking. “So, tell me about the villainous Wizard Liam.”

“What’s to say? That guy’s bad news.‘Oh, look at me prancing about like a walking dictionary in my fancy pants.’Please. I’mwaycooler than him.” Toby’s arm hooked around my back and pulled me closer. Another passionate kiss followed. “So, my day was objectively awesome. How was your brunch with Mar? Hit me with all the girly gossip.”

“Uh…”

“Out with it.”

We were still working hard to be honest with each other, so rather than dodging the truth, I blurted out, “Kayleigh dropped by the café this morning.”

“Why didn’t you call me!” It wasn’t a question. Toby’s nostrils flared. He was furious.

“Tobes, it’s okay—”

“It’s absolutelynotokay!”

“I’m fine.” I patted his heaving chest to comfort him. “Marnie was there. And Romeo. And some other scary-looking guy in a suit I’ve never seen before. Everyone was safe.”

His anger deflated only a little. “You should’ve told me.”

“I didn’t want to spoil your first day worrying about something that ended up being no big deal. Kayleigh carried on about me trying to keep you two lovebirds apart—”

“Never happened!”

“—and creating drama—”

“Pretty sureshe’sthe one creating the drama!”

“She created a lot more drama when Wayne arrested her.”

“What!” Toby’s jaw hit the floor. “And you didn’t call me! That’s certifiable A-grade gossip, doll!”

“The whole situation was super weird. Kayleigh accused me of sending fake messages.”

His eyebrows popped up. “Huh?”

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