Page 15 of Dr. Intern

She lets out an exasperated laugh. “You know you’re one of my best friends, right? I value our relationship more than anything.”

I nod, peering down at the too-tall strappy heels that are cutting into my ankles. These are definitely not standing heels. I need to remember to only wear them on occasions where I’ll only be sitting because even the walk from the car was painful.

“But you know that your brother is my fiancé?” she asks. I know it’s a question that doesn’t need an answer, so I keep my mouth shut. “It’s not fair to ask me to choose between the two of you every time you go at it.”

I let out a small huff because while I know she’s right, it doesn’t make me feel any better. “That’s fine, you can just tell me in private whenever I’m right. He won’t know any better.”

Cassidy smiles, her laugh easing the tension between us as she gently pushes a stray curl behind my ear. For some reason, the simple touch, both caring and gentle, makes the ball in my throat bigger, and I can feel the tears in my eyes threatening to fall.

I tried hard to tame my hair today, pinning it behind my head in an intricate updo. It took hours, but it also allowed me to sit and process my feelings by myself. I really thought I had gotten over the hump of despair and could hold it together for a few hours. Apparently, I was wrong.

Finally meeting Cassidy’s eyes, I wait for her to say something as the silence between us simmers. Her eyes shine with sympathy, and I know if I speak, I’m going to cry.

“Do you know what you’re going to say?” she asks gently, assessing my expression. “You don’t have to speak if you don’t want to. I didn’t speak at Carter’s funeral.”

Her brother died last year before she met my brother. I think he was in a bad car accident because I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen her behind the wheel. Normally, I would ask for every explicit detail, but something about the situation has held even my untamed tongue. She’ll tell me when she’s ready.

“I want to,” I admit. “But no, I don’t know what I’m going to say. I figure it’ll just come to me up there.”

She grins and pulls me into her arms. “You’re the bravest person I know, babe.”

I let out a small laugh, attempting to lighten the mood. “Or the most unhinged. Jury’s still out on that one.”

“You ready to go back out there?”

I run my fingers over my face, thankful that I wore absolutely no makeup today. “If we must.”

Chapter 6

Beau

On the drive to the hospital from the golf course Parker didn’t say much, though his body language implied there was a serious emergency. When we pulled into the entrance, he tossed me the keys and asked me to drop his car at his condo. I assumed that it was something serious with a patient, but Cassidy reached out a few hours later to give me the heads-up about his mom.

One great thing about my friendship with Parker is that he has the power to control my schedule. Unfortunately, flying to Virginia for his mother's funeral is the last way either one of us would want to use that power. He was able to get me a day off, but tomorrow night I have to head straight from the airport to the hospital. It’s going to be a shitty twenty-four hours, but I’m just glad I can be there for him.

When the taxi drops me at the front entrance of the massive church, part of me questions if I’m in the right place. A sea of people crowds on the front lawn, chatting and conversing happily. If they weren’t all in black, I would seriously question if this was a funeral because there’s a shit ton of people here.

I haven’t wanted to bother Parker with anything since I’m sure he’s got a lot on his plate, so I’ve been going back and forth with Cassidy about logistics. She told me that they had several seats reserved at the front of the sanctuary, and as I step inside, I feel thankful. Every pew in the cavernous room is full, except for a few seats that have coats marking the place for someone.

I hesitate as I walk through the crowd of unfamiliar faces, feeling incredibly low-class compared to the people surrounding me. My suit is a hand-me-down from my older brother, and I don’t think it cost more than a hundred dollars at the time. Some of these folks look like they’re dripping in wealth, and I swear to God I even recognize the Secretary of State on the end of a pew in the back.

Spotting Parker, and a woman who looks to be related to him, standing in the front corner of the room, I snake through the crowd to join them.

“Damn—this is really something,” I say, pulling Parker into a hug as I draw my eyes over the room.

A small smile forms on his lips. “Thanks for being here.”

“Anything for you,” I say before turning to the brunette woman. “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Beau.”

She looks like a miniature version of Parker, her face trained into the same cool and composed expression that he wears daily. “Nice to meet you. I’m Caroline.”

I shake her hand with a friendly smile. “Are you the pain in the ass sister, or the angel sister?”

Her cheeks flush like she’s surprised by the direct nature of my question. “I’ll let you guess.”

I stroke my chin, trying my best to add a bit of levity to a somber situation. “Well, considering his jaw isn’t clenched right now, I would go with the second choice.”

Caroline’s lips twitch, almost in a smile. “You’re very intuitive.”

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