Page 15 of Doc's Decision

My head whips around, hope surging in my chest, but it’s not Raven who comes striding through.

It’s Mandy.

The instant Mandy spots me with a red-faced, wailing Kash, her smile drops, and she hurries over, concern etched on her pretty features. “Doc? What’s going on?”

I grimace, hating that she has to see me failing like this. “Ran out of formula like a fucking idiot. Raven’s out getting more, but Kash here isn’t thrilled about the delay.”

Understanding dawns in Mandy’s warm hazel eyes.

She reaches out to stroke a soothing hand over Kash’s downy hair. “Aw, poor little man. It’s okay, everything will be a-okay real soon,” she coos. Then she meets my gaze and asks softly, “May I?”

Gratitude crashes through me, and I immediately shift Kash into her waiting arms.

She cuddles him close, making sympathetic noises as she rocks him gently. “There now, sweet boy. I know, I know you’re so hungry and tired. But your daddy is taking such good care of you. Yes, he is. Just gotta be patient a tiny bit longer.”

As if he can understand her words, Kash’s screams start to quiet, dwindling into little hiccupping sobs and snuffles against Mandy’s shoulder. I stare in amazement, some of the tension easing from my body.

I am in complete awe of Mandy’s innate skill.

She’s a natural, no doubt about it.

Kash usually doesn’t calm this quickly for anyone besides me.

Yet here he is, slowly relaxing in Mandy’s confident hold, soothed by her honeyed voice and tender touch.

Something warm and wonderful unfurls inside my chest as I watch them together.

An overwhelming surge of longing and . . . something else.

Something raw and fierce and undeniable.

I swallow hard against the sudden lump in my throat.

Christ, get ahold of yourself.

She’s just being a good friend, doing you a solid.

That’s all this is.

But deep down, I know that’s a lie.

Fuck, seeing Mandy cradle my son so sweetly, so lovingly, stirs up desires I’ve never let myself acknowledge before.

Dangerous desires that could ruin the easy, comfortable friendship we’ve built.

I try to shove those inappropriate feelings back into their box, lock them up tight.

I can’t go there.

I won’t.

Our relationship is strictly platonic, and that’s how it has to stay.

No matter how badly I might crave more.

Mandy glances up then, her hazel eyes shining with affection as they meet mine. “He’s such a little angel,” she murmurs, tracing a finger delicately over his round cheek. “You’re doing an amazing job with him, Doc.”

My throat constricts at the honest praise in her voice, the open admiration on her lovely face.

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