Page 42 of Claimed by my Bestie's Dad

“Until I join my patients?” I joke.

Madison giggles. Then, I get a little more comfortable and really think about how I can answer her question. “I mean… I’ve never thought about it. I like the job, most of the time. I like helping people.”

“Aw, aren’t you such a sweetheart?” It feels like she’s teasing me, but I don’t mind. I pull her closer to me.

“Yes, I am. I’m glad you’ve finally figured it out.”

“But you don’t need the money, do you? I mean, if you retired right now, you could keep your same lifestyle.”

“I don’t… It’s something I haven’t looked into. It just doesn’t seem practical to retire. If all my time is play, then I don’t enjoy it as much. If I’m working a few days a week, then I enjoy my playing more.”

“What kind of playing do you do?”

I look her up and down, then reach down and thump one of the lacy strings for good measure. “I think you can figure it out pretty well.”

“Oh, I thought you were going to say golf or chess or something.”

“Do I look like a golf or chess guy?”

“Chess requires brains, and…I think you have one.”

“I hope I do. I’m in charge of surgeries in ED. But I’ve never found chess to be very exciting. I prefer a game that gets the adrenaline running. Golf doesn’t do it for me either.”

“So, whatdoyou like to do?”

I really think about her question for a moment. For the last however many years, whenever I’ve had a break from work, I’ve gone to a bar. Picking a woman up is something that gets my adrenaline moving. But now, I’ve been entertained enough keeping up with all of Madison’s dogs.

One of them is scratching at the door now, desperate to be let inside and join our conversation. “I like spending time with you.”

It’s more than I mean to admit, but it’s already out of my mouth. I can’t take it back now.

20

MADISON

Everyone needsto be at my place by six.

This time, when Aurora’s text comes through, I know that I can’t pretend I didn’t see it. I need to show up and be there for my friends.

Unfortunately, now I’m not feeling the best. I spend some time scrolling through articles on what’s going around this Christmas season, and I find out that humans can actually catch viruses from dogs and vice versa. Great. I’ve probably caught something from one of these monsters.

I pull myself out of bed and take a shower though, and that leaves me feeling surprisingly better. I put on a cute red sweater and some jeans and just let the dogs out one at a time for a quick pee before locking them up in their kennels.

While I would love to spend an hour in Ethan’s backyard watching over the dogs, I’m not sure how to deal with the confession he gave last time we were together. He basically admitted that he likes spending time with me and not just for sex.

And while I also feel that same way about him, I knowthat there’s nothing we can do about it. I can’t just throw caution to the wind and start dating my best friend’s dad.

Madison, you’re coming right??

I have to respond to this message, so I hop onto the group text and let everyone know I’m alive and kicking.Will be there in a cute sweater to make you all jealous.

Then, I head to Aurora’s place. I decide to walk because I don’t like getting in my car just to go a few blocks. As I pass Ethan’s house, I try to keep looking straight ahead, but I can’t keep from glancing briefly to see if his car is in the driveway.

When I see it is there, I feel a happy sort of jump in my heart.

“Madison Thomas, you are too old to act like this.” But my reprimand doesn’t keep me from thinking about when I’m going to see Ethan again.

As soon as I arrive at Aurora’s small, two-bedroom house, Zoe sidles up to me. “How is everything going?” The lift in her eyebrows and nod of her head indicates that she’s asking about my romantic relationship situation. I can’t give her an update, not right here. Not like this.

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