Page 16 of Doctor Do-Over

“Yeah, that’s why I have my own place. I’m going there after I make this stop.”

“Okay, you’re the boss.” He chuckles.

I like him. Not the way I liked Shakespeare, but he’s a good example of what I want my relationship with my brother to be like.

As soon as I open the door, Erika almost barrels me over. Her husband, who I met at Christmastime, walks out from the back of the salon. Grayson is dressed in jeans and a button-down shirt, and he has their little girl strapped to him in the baby carrier. Her little pink hat pokes out the top.

“You’re here. I read about the attack at the con in London. Was it you? You just disappeared after that, dropped off of the face of the world. Was it?” Erika asks, not giving me a chance to respond.

Rio chuckles, but I ignore him. I need a friend here who knows everything. She’ll help me. She always has.

“Yes. I was the one who got attacked. It was just a reader upset that I’m changing the direction of my writing.”

“Really?” Erika leans back, tucking her chin and giving me a look like she thinks I’m crazy. “I believe that as much as I believe the hottie behind you is your boyfriend.”

“Hottie? Princess, don’t make me spank you in front of company,” Grayson says, and she fidgets, shifting her legs.

“Yes, Sir.” She’s the former Domme I told Tanner about. She’s now fully embraced her role as a sub with her husband. I don’t blame her. I’d be his sub too. He’s undeniably sexy andcharming. “Sorry, but I know when one of my sister-in-law’s men is around. She must have a standard for who she hires.” She gives Rio an appraising look.

“Princess,” Grayson warns.

Erika turns toward him with a flourish, a hand on her hip. “You can stop. You know who I’m devoted to, and I’m sure he can spot my ring from across the room.” She flashes a huge diamond ring and band surrounded by pink diamonds. It’s a beautiful setting. I wish I hadn’t missed so much, but I needed to stay away. “Come on.” Erika turns back to me and takes my hand in her tattooed one. I notice some of my drawings inked on her skin. Her tattoos are primarily black and gray, covering almost every surface of her body. She’s beautiful.

She leads me over to the sofa, and we sit down. Her husband and Rio follow behind us. Grayson begins to gently bounce when their baby starts making noises.

“Before I get into the story, I want to know who this little one is. I heard you were pregnant with a girl, but I don’t know anything else.”

“This is Zara. She was born on March first. When are you due?”

“Christmastime.”

“Did you know you were pregnant when you were attacked?”

“No. That’s how I found out.”

“Dang, girl.” She laughs. “So, what brings you in?”

“I was wondering if you would like me to come back for some consulting and drawing?”

“We’d love that,” Leif says from behind me. I turn as he steps out of his office. He’s got his hand wrapped around Ridley’s, and I realize they must be a couple.

“When do you want me to start?”

“How about Tuesday?”

“Sounds good.”

We visit a while longer, and I tell them more about what happened in London. I find out that Ridley and Leif are married and adopting a baby together. As I get ready to leave, a man steps inside the shop. I don’t recognize him, but Ridley and Rio seem to.

“Don’t let her walk anymore,” Rio says to the newcomer. They part ways, and Rio walks out the door. The man walks up to Ridley, and they talk among themselves for a moment before he approaches me.

“I’m Browser.” He smiles. Erika may be onto something. Just like the other guys who have worked with me, he’s cute and impressively large in a muscular way. He has tattoos all over, and his hair is shaved close to his head.

“You’re the one who helped with my website?”

“Yeah, thought you’d prefer it to be restored and locked, but inactive. Commander wanted it shut down completely.”

“I really appreciate that, especially since I had a book release and needed to be able to have it announced to everyone. I don’t know who Rogue is, but please thank them for me. I’ve heard a lot about them. Commander is Mr. Black, correct?”