Page 20 of Silver Fox in Cedarwood

“Sounds like.” Did he sound distracted? “Cool.”

“Are you okay? Dad?” Aiden’s voice rose. “Where are you? How are you feeling? Where are your meds?”

“Aiden.” He’d screwed this all up. “I’m fine. I’m parked and the engine is off.” He wasn’t sure why he’d mentioned that. “I’m current on my meds, and I’m not overheated. I feel fine enough.” Boy, he needed to stop talking.

“Enough? I’m coming to the house,” Aiden said. “Let me call Matt and I’ll meet you.”

“Aiden, stop.” He had to explain the situation to Aiden. “I’m at the doctor’s office.”

“For? You weren’t showing symptoms of anything when I visited you last.”

“Because I’m not sick.” He winced. “I’m here for a date.”

“Wait. What?” Aiden asked. “One more time. I could swear you said you were there for a date.”

“I hit it off with a doctor, sort of, and I’m here to see him—not as a patient. I’m fine and healthy.” He paused. “It’s okay.”

“Do I know this doctor?”

He’d lied, sort of, about hitting it off, but he couldn’t fib about the who. If he went out with Isaac and they decided to take things to the next level, Isaac would want to come around to family gatherings. He’d be expected at them and Aiden deserved to know. “You do.” He winced again. “You’re friends with him.” Christ, he was putting the cart before the damn horse.

“Doctor Raji? You’re dating a dentist?” Aiden asked. “If that’s who makes you happy, then great, but I never thought you were interested in dentists.” He paused. “It’s a joke because I know how you hate to visit the dentist. Go for who you want.”

“No.” Dr. Raji had a wife and three kids. He wasn’t dating material. “Not him.”

“Dr. Soules? The clown from the outpatient clinic? Dad, he’s a lousy doctor and he’s not my friend.”

Aiden was so defensive. At least it was nice that Len had someone in his corner. “Not him either,” Len said. “He and I had a falling out when he tried to tell me I needed a pacemaker. I had a TIA, not a heart problem, and he’s not my regular doctor. That’s Dr. Gates.”

“Then who? Not Dr. Gates. He’s married.”

He massaged his forehead. Either Aiden would be pissed beyond belief or mildly okay with the situation, but he had no clue as to how his son felt. “Dr. McLean.”

“As in Isaac?” Aiden’s tone was flat. “Isaac McLean?”

“Yeah.” He still couldn’t gauge Aiden’s reaction. He groaned. He should’ve done this in person.

“Isaac?” Aiden repeated. “My friend and almost coworker, Isaac?”

“What? You’re angry, aren’t you?” Len groaned again. He sagged in his seat and closed his eyes. “I know. It’s irresponsible. He’s not in my league, and plus, he’s your age.”

“No.”

“But you’re hurt.”Fuck.An answer that wasn’t cryptic would be nice. “I should’ve thought this through before I even considered what I was doing. I’m sorry. You’re right. Forget I said anything. I don’t think through my actions sometimes and this has repercussions beyond me having a date.”

“I can’t exactly forget, Dad. You just told me you wanted to see a guy I know.”

Len sighed. “What are you thinking?”

Aiden didn’t speak for a long moment. His end of the line was so silent, Len could’ve sworn the call had been dropped. He checked the screen to ensure he still had Aiden on the line. When he heard Aiden sigh, he blew out a ragged breath. At least his son hadn’t hung up on him.

“Dad, I love you,” Aiden said. “I do.”

“But?” There had to be a catch.

“I have no buts.”

“Right.” He wasn’t sure what was happening.No catch? Really?“What’s the rest?”

---