Page 83 of Doctor One Night

OvenBird

12:29 pm

I step into the familiar warmth of our favorite lunch spot, the scent of freshly baked bread and roasting vegetables instantly putting me at ease. It’s been too long since Carly and I have had a chance to catch up properly, and I’ve been looking forward to this all week.

The sun is shining, and I spot Carly waving from the patio, already settled in a shaded spot surrounded by raised beds filled with fresh herbs.

“Hey, stranger!” she calls out, a big grin on her face as I approach. “Thought you’d forgotten all about me with all the excitement in your life lately.”

I laugh as I slide into the chair across from her. “Never. Just been a little busy, you know?”

She gives me a knowing look, raising an eyebrow. “Yeah, I can imagine. Between the trial, dealing with your dad's stuff, and a certain grumpy cardiothoracic surgeon, I’d say you’ve had your hands full.”

The waitress comes by, and we both order, opting for our usual salads and iced teas. As soon as she leaves, Carly leans in, eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“So, gimme gimme. Whats the word with Grace? Word on the street is the IRB approved the compassionate use. Marijka called me on the way over here.”

“Yeah, they did,” I reply, a wave of relief washing over me just saying the words. “It’s a huge win. We’ve been waiting for weeks, and it was touch and go there for a while. But now that we have the green light, I’m hoping things will move quickly. Hunter’s already got the prototype, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they go ahead with the procedure soon.”

Carly nods, clearly impressed. “That’s amazing, Frankie. It’s going to be incredible seeing her get better. And speaking of Hunter… how’s that going? As I’ve mentioned, it’s really cramping my after-work stops at your place, but I’m trying not to take it personally.”

I smirk, shaking my head. “You can still come over, Carly. It’s not like you’re banned.”

“Please,” she laughs, rolling her eyes. “That man’s standoffishness is a force to be reckoned with. I love you, but I’m not interested in trying to compete with him for your attention.”

I chuckle, thinking about how Hunter can come across. “He’s not that bad, really. He’s like a squishy teddy bear under all that brute. And pretty damn thoughtful. It’s just a mask.”

“Uh-huh,” Carly says skeptically, but there’s a teasing glint in her eyes. “A very convincing mask, I’d say. But seriously, I’m happy for you. You deserve some happiness, even if it comes wrapped up like Serious Smurf in his blue scrubs.”

We both laugh, and the conversation naturally shifts to lighter topics until Carly leans back in her chair, a more serious expression crossing her face. “And how’s everything going with your dad's stuff?”

I pause, taking a sip of my iced tea. This is the first time I’ve mentioned it to anyone, and the words are heavy on my tongue. “There’s something I haven’t told you yet… He left me an inheritance.”

Carly’s eyes widen, and she almost chokes on her drink. “Wait. What?! How much are we talking here?”

I glance around, lowering my voice even though we’re outside. “Twelve and a half million. Each of the three siblings gets that amount once the closing of the dealerships happens. A national, large car dealership chain is buying them all out.”

Carly’s jaw drops, and she looks like she might fall out of her chair. “Holy shit, Frankie! That’s… that’s life-changing! My mind is freaking blown right now.”

“I know,” I say, a mix of excitement and nerves overcome me as I finally say it out loud. “I haven’t met my half-brothers yet, but we’re in talks about making it happen. It’s kind of surreal. I’ve always wanted siblings, but now that it’s real, I don’t know, it’s a lot to process. I'm still working through all of it.”

Carly reaches across the table, squeezing my hand. “I’m so excited for you, Frankie. This is huge. And I know it’s a lot, but you’re going to handle it like a champ. You always do. Becoming a millionaire in the process will probably help a tiny bit, too.”

I laugh, feeling lighter than I have in days. This is why I love Carly. She always has a humorous perspective to point out. We spend the rest of lunch joking around, sharing stories, and just enjoying each other’s company, the way best friends do.

Shain Park

6:38 pm

We reach the end of our walk, our usual loop around Shain Park, and that familiar contentment and excitement that always comes with being around Hunter is my constant companion these days.

These evening walks after work are more common than not lately, and I look forward to them. It’s a way for us to unwind, connect, and to just be with each other without the pressures of our jobs or the chaos of our lives getting in the way. Honestly, it’s my favorite part of the day.

Except, maybe, our morning sex before he leaves me.

Hunter glances at me, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “You’re quieter than usual tonight. Plotting something?”

I laugh, nudging him playfully with my elbow. “Who, me? Never.”

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