Page 35 of Draft Pick
I blink. “Aren’t you gonna ask for my number, then?”
“What?” Crew gapes. “No. Why would I ask…” He pauses as the pieces click. “Oh. Shit. Yes. Right.”
I’m positive Crew just blushed.
“Daddy, you said we don’t say shit,” Addie exclaims, making me laugh.
“You’re right. Daddy is very sorry. I won’t say shit ever again.”
“You said shit again!” she screeches, lifting her tarantula to eye level. “Trolli, tell Daddy to stop saying bad words.”
Now, Crew laughs, and it’s contagious. “Women. I can never win,” he teases before handing me his phone. I add my number to his contacts, making sure my name is something memorable, and hand it back to him.
“Best you learn that now.” I smile, tilting my head in pride.
He slips the phone in the back of his jeans just as Hilary joins us again. “What’d I miss?” she asks. “Margo was confirming ourflights were good to go for St. Barts. You’re still okay with taking her this time, right, Crew?”
Crew nods and pulls Hilary in for a side hug. “You know it. I get Doodle’s dance recital all to myself. How could Inotbe there? You go enjoy your anniversary with Margo. You two deserve it.”
The maturity of this man has no end.
“Thanks, Crew.” Hilary smiles at the same time Addie cuts in, “Noooo. Uncle Gus, Aunt TT, and King Size will be there, too!”
“King Size?” I cackle.
“Kingston,” Crew informs me with a shake of his head. “This little rascal makes nicknames for everyone.”
“Just wait,” Hilary tells me boldly. “Someday soon, you’ll have one for yourself. Although I’m sure you get those a lot being around kids all day.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that. I’m nowhere near as cool as Kingston,” I joke, not realizing I made it known I know someone personal to their family. Hilary doesn’t miss it, her lips twitching in amusement a bit. “Dr. Wilde knows King Size?”
“Oh. Not really—” I start, but I’m quickly cut off.
“She does. Met him at bingo the other night,” Crew answers, and Hilary must know exactly what bingo entails because her brows shoot up as she pulls her bottom lip into her mouth.
“Is that so? Interesting…” she draws, making a ticking sound with her tongue. “I like you, Dr. Wilde. I like you a lot. Any chance you do yoga? You look like it. I could use a workout partner.”
What is happening right now?
“Actually, I love yoga.”
“Told you she likes girls.” Addie grins, and we all bust into hysterics. “What? I’m only just a kid.”
“Our favorite one, at that, Doodle.” Crew kisses her head.
Hilary smiles in excitement. “Yay! Can I get your number and call you?”
“I’ve got it,” Crew cuts in. “I’ll send it to her, if that’s okay?”
Hilary eyes him suspiciously, my red cheeks likely giving her every indicator of trouble she needs. “Of course you do.” She hugs me quickly before saying, “I’ll get it from Crew and send you the details, Dr. Wilde.”
“Juniper,” I insist and smile softly. “Friends, right?”
Hilary nods. “Friends.”
I’m not sure what’s happening to my heart. I’ve never connected with a patient, let alone their family, the way I have with this one. I’m protecting boundaries and giving myself verbal warnings about getting attached, yet for the first time in my life, I’m questioning if following my own rules is the right thing.
That’s a slippery slope and a concrete affirmation that it’s time for me to date. I won’t find my person behind these exam room walls or playing Dirty Bingo with baseball players.
