Page 105 of Dr. Intern

My legs wobble, threatening to give out. I definitely wouldn’t have worn four-inch heels tonight if I had known this was how the evening would turn out.

“Who told you that?” I stammer, struggling to maintain my composure.

“Morgan,” she admits, studying my reaction.

Not a snitch, my ass!

As I’m about to blurt out a nasty comment about Morg, Cassidy interrupts me. “Don’t be pissed at her. I forced her hand earlier tonight. She practically turned green when I casually mentioned something about you and Beau.”

I roll my eyes, trying to redirect the conversation. “She would make a horrible spy. You’re not even intimidating, and she cracked. Remind me to never give her any government secrets.”

Cassidy ignores my joke. “Is it true?”

I sigh, knowing there’s no way out of this.

“Okay, yes,” I quietly hiss, pulling her close to me. “But it’s not what you think. We’re actually dating.”

Her eyes widen as they shift to the floor. “Shit, that’s worse. Since when?”

I step back, taking a long swig from the champagne glass before I respond. Now that the cat’s out of the bag, I might as well be completely honest.

“A month or so . . . But please, don’t tell P. We’re planning on talking to him soon. You know how he can be.”

She draws in a deep breath and releases it slowly, rubbing her temples as if a headache is brewing. “Why is it that I’m always in the middle of your family secrets?”

“Are you kidding me, Cass?” I quietly sneer, my eyes darting around us to make sure we’re still alone. “You want to play that card?Want to tell me what the fuck is going on with the Weston thing?”

Her own secret keeping has been on my mind since Thanksgiving, and now seems like the perfect opportunity to address it. If she wants to toss blame around, I’ll toss it right back.

Cassidy hesitates. “Not really.”

I roll my eyes, offering her a small smile as a truce. “Too bad. I told you mine, now tell me yours.”

She turns away. Reaching for her glass of champagne, she downs it in a single gulp.

Oh, so it’s that kind of secret.

“Okay, so you know everything that happened last year, right?” she starts.I nod, remembering the tangled web of drama between her, Weston, and my brother.

Cass crosses her arms and leans back against the counter. “And you know how Parker is very . . .” she pauses, trying to get the words right before she continues. “Parker sees things in black and white.”

I laugh because of course I know that—it’s what makes him a great doctor, but an incredibly irritating older brother. “Yes, dummy. I know that all too well.”

She lets out a long, deep exhale. “Well obviously, things with Wes are shades of gray.”

I can’t suppress a small grin at her choice of words, and she shakes her head. “Stop it, Claire! Not like that, good god!”

“Sorry, sorry. You’ve corrupted me!”

I refill Cassidy’s champagne, tilting the flute to ensure the drink doesn’t sizzle over the rim. “So what’s the status?” I ask, handing her the cold bubbles.

She takes a tentative sip, shutting her eyes briefly before she speaks. “Something happened that made Wes leave his fellowship. He didn’t elaborate on what it was, but he’s been home in Atlanta trying to figure out what he’s going to do next. Wes and my brother were best friends growing up, so naturally, his mom and I developed a bond. When Mrs. Southerland reached out, I felt obligated to meet up with them, despite everything that happened last year. It was like something was urging me to go. So I listened, and I don’t know how to explainit . . . but he seems genuinely different. He showed glimpses of the person I remember from our childhood, not the arrogant jerk he had become.”

Cass stops, a wave of emotion fogging her eyes as she looks away.

I watch her, wishing I could take her pain away. I know she’s thinking of her brother.

She gulps, choking down a sob. “Carter and Wes were like brothers, Claire. I have to forgive Wes for his sake . . . it’s the right thing to do. And it’s not like there’s something between me and Wes other than friendship. You know I love Parker more than anything. You know that. But, I’m also desperately trying to cling to anything that keeps my brother’s memory alive. Despite everything, Wes does that for me.”

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