Page 13 of Single Daddy Doctor Dreamy

“Joel,” I interrupt, my heart pounding. “You don’t have to?—”

“I do,” he says firmly. “Because it’s all I’ve been able to think about.”

My breath catches. His words hang in the air, heavy and charged, and I don’t know what to say. Part of me wants to tell him I feel the same, that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it either. But the other part of me, the cautious, practical part, warns me to tread carefully.

“Joel,” I finally say, my voice barely above a whisper. “This is… complicated.”

“I know,” he says, his gaze never leaving mine. “But that doesn’t change how I feel.”

The vulnerability in his voice cracks something inside me. Before I can respond, he stands, the tension in his body visible.

“I should get some sleep,” he says, his tone clipped. “Goodnight, Lucy.”

And just like that, he’s gone, leaving me alone with the storm of emotions he’s stirred up.

The next morning, I’m in the kitchen, getting out cereal and bowls while the boys chatter excitedly about their plans for the day. Joel’s absence is noticeable, his chair at the table conspicuously empty. When he finally appears, dressed for work, he’s distant, his usual warmth replaced by a guardedness that makes my chest ache.

“Morning,” I say, forcing a smile.

“Morning,” he replies, grabbing a mug of coffee. He doesn’t look at me, and the tension is suffocating.

The boys notice, too, their usual chatter quieter than normal as they glance between us. I try to focus on them, on the easy rhythm we’ve built in this house, but my thoughts keep drifting back to Joel and the wall he’s clearly rebuilding between us.

“Are you mad at Lucy?” Finn’s question catches everyone off guard, his small voice cutting through the silence like a knife. Joel’s head snaps up, his green eyes wide with surprise.

“No, buddy,” he says quickly, his voice softening. “I’m not mad at Lucy.”

“Then why are you being weird?” Finn presses, his innocent curiosity impossible to deflect.

Joel sighs, setting down his coffee mug. “I’m just tired, that’s all. Long night at work.”

Finn seems satisfied with the answer, but I’m not. Joel’s gaze flickers to mine, and in that brief moment, I see the turmoil he’s trying so hard to hide.

Later, when the boys are at school and Joel is at the hospital, Aiden calls me. His voice is serious, his usual lighthearted tone replaced with something heavier.

“Luce, I’ve been thinking about what I said yesterday. I want you to know that I only interfere out of love,” he begins. “And I just… I need you to be honest with me. Is there something going on between you and Joel?”

The directness of his question leaves me reeling. I open my mouth to answer, but no words come out. Because I don’t know how to answer. Not when I’m still trying to figure it out myself.

“Lucy,” Aiden says, his voice softer now. “You know I just want what’s best for you. And Joel… he’s my best friend, but he’s also complicated. He’s been through a lot, and he’s not always great at letting people in. I just… I don’t want you to get hurt.”

His words echo in my mind long after we hang up. Because as much as I want to believe Joel and I can figure this out, Aiden’s right about one thing: Joel is complicated. And if I’m not careful, I’m going to fall for him completely—and that might be the riskiest thing I’ve ever done.

6

JOEL

The hospital’s intercom crackles to life, drawing my attention from the patient file in front of me.

“Attention, staff: The board will announce the candidates for the chief of staff position on Monday. Please check your emails for further details.”

The message is short, clinical, but it sends my pulse racing. After months of preparation, navigating endless politics, and keeping my head down, it’s finally happening. The promotion I’ve been working toward could redefine my career.

Or destroy it.

I lean back in my chair, letting the weight of it settle. My office is quiet, but my mind is anything but. The competition is fierce, and no one’s more eager to see me fail than Rivkin. Add to that the endless hospital gossip about Lucy, and my once-impenetrable reputation feels more fragile than ever. I really thought the fake relationship thing would make things better, but now I’m wondering if it’s making them worse.

The memory of Lucy’s laughter from earlier this week creeps in. It’s both comforting and tormenting. She’s become an unexpected light in my life and in the boys’ lives, but Ican’t shake the nagging fear that our connection might cost me everything I’ve worked for.

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