Page 18 of My December Darling

Wait. What?Never in all the years we have been friends has Aiden pulled a stunt like this, and I’m not sure how to process it. Teams? This man once gave me shit for using an ankle brace during a one-on-one basketball match, and now he wants to bring in reinforcements?

He looks over at me. “What do you say?”

“Couldn’t think of a better idea.”To get myself in trouble.Because I know exactly who my teammate is going to be.

With all the shifts Aiden and I have been pulling at the hospital lately, I haven’t had an opportunity to talk to him about my growing interest in his ex-girlfriend. While I doubt he would give me much grief about it, I still feel some residual guilt from flirting with Catalina. Since my new espresso machine hasn’t arrived yet, I’ve suffered through drinking from the worst coffee machine on the haunted third floor instead of taking a chance on us having another run-in near the NICU ward.

“You want to work in teams?” Catalina’s lips purse, and for a moment, I wonder if she will be the one to save us all.

Feel free to say no. You won’t hear me complaining.

Aiden smiles. “Me and your sister versus you and Luke the Leveler over here.”

Catalina might swallow her laugh, but Gabriela doesn’t stop from unleashing a cackle.

“What do you say?” He wraps his arms around Gabriela’s waist and kisses her cheek. “Wanna help me wipe the floor with them?”

“I’d love nothing more.” She grins.

I expect Catalina to protest the idea, but she surprises me by saying, “The only thing you’ll be wiping is that smile off your face when we win.”

Well, shit. I shouldn’t be turned on by the scary look on her face, but the devious smirk does something for me.

It’s called a dopamine rush, and you of all people know those can become addictive.

She tilts her head back to look up at me. “We better not lose to them.”

“Please. I did not watch three hours of gingerbread house tutorials for nothing.”

“Seriously?” The awe in her voice makes my chest puff out.

“Are you impressed?”

“Horrified is more like it. Do you have nothing better to do with your free time?”

“Not particularly, no. It was either that or start a new LEGO set, and Aiden told me we didn’t have the space for another one until he moves out.”

“LEGOs?”

“Yes?” I ask with a hint of apprehension.

“Hm.”

“Do you have something against them?” I pretend not to notice the way Aiden and Gabriela whisper to each other while I am talking.

“Nope,” she says with flushed cheeks.

Gabriela grins. “My sister loves building those.”

Catalina’s eyes widen.

“Is that right?” I smile.

She tenses beside me. “Loved. As in past tense.”

“What changed?”

“I grew up.”

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