Page 33 of Draft Pick
“Jam…up?” I enunciate slowly and laugh. “What does that even mean?”
“It means it’s really good. Best there ever was. Low-key obsessed. Delicious. Amaz?—”
I hold up a hand. “Okay, I get it. You are definitely up on the slang more than I am.”
“Helps to have a daughter who thinks she’s sixteen, not six.” He smirks playfully but looks like he’s dreading the teenage years.
“And what an adorable one she is.” I smile. “Well, I should get going. Thanks again for giving me a ride home, Crew. And I promise not to mention my stripping ever again.”
His eyes fall closed for a second before opening them again and looking straight ahead. “Consider it behind us.”
Silence stretches between us and I take that as my sign to leave. “Goodnight.”
“Night, Doc. Sleep tight.”
I close the door and walk up the steps of my empty home, waiting to hear the Suburban I know I’ll forever recognize on the streets to drive away, but the idling of an engine still lingers. It’s after I unlock the front door, securing it behind me safely, that I see red taillights flicker as Crew pulls away.
Butterflies, butterflies, please, please, please go away.
Tonight was…eventful. And eye-opening. But also fun.
I’ll attempt to forget all about me stripping in front of a patient’s father. But I refuse to forget how it feels to be brought home safely.Thatis a feeling I want to remember forever.
11
JUNIPER
“You’re quitethe celebrity in our home, Dr. Wilde.”
“Is that right?” I ask, lifting Addie down from the exam table.
Hilary nods, smiling wide as she looks toward her daughter. “Oh, yes. Crew warned me about how chatty she’s been at bedtime, but I had to experience it for myself. I’ve learned all the things this past week.”
Oh. They really aren’t together. I don’t look at Crew because, well, I simply don’t want to right now. Not when Hilary tells me all about Addie’s fascination with me. It’s adorable, and I have no right questioning his relationship status with the mother of his child.
“Suddenly, she wants to be a doctor when she grows up. We’ve officially grown out of the Rapunzel-in-a-tower stage and moved on to a real-life career,” Hilary laughs, and Addie sits on her lap, Crew sitting beside them with his arms crossed at his chest. “She also prays for you every night.”
My heart stops. “She does?” I croak, feeling tears threaten to break free. One glance at Crew tells me it’s true, and he nods.
“Since the day we met you,” he admits with the most subtle nonchalance.
I adjust my glasses to occupy my hands, something I do often when I’m at a loss for words or nervous. “That is…the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me…”
There’s something about the magnitude of being in someone’s most vulnerable thoughts that just means the world.
Addie speaks up, jumping from her mom’s lap to adjust her sequined mermaid tail. “Last night, I prayed you didn’t get the measles. I don’t know what they are, but Lilly says they’re prettttty scary. Lilly is my best friend.”
“Lilly sounds like a very smart friend. Thank you for looking out for me, Queen Addie.”
She spins in place, the bottom of her chiffon mermaid tail fluttering with her. “It’smermaidAddie of Emerald City today.”
My hand meets my chest in apologies. “Goodness. I’m so sorry, mermaid Addie of Emerald City. My mistake.”
She reaches forward, surprising me by tapping my nose. “That’s okay. Don’t let it happen again.”
“Adeline Briggs,” Hilary says sternly. “We don’t talk to grown-ups like that. Looks like you should be the one apologizing.”
Addie looks to her dad, ready to cause some division. Crew shakes his head and nods to me. “You heard your mother, Doodle. Sorry up, baby girl. Remember the word we talked about?”
