Page 24 of Single Daddy Doctor Dreamy

Lucy’s mom enters, saving me from further ridicule. "What’s going on in here? It sounds like you two are having too much fun."

Lucy turns, her face flushed from laughing. "Just trying to keep Joel in line."

"Good luck with that," her mom says with a knowing smile. "He was always a handful, even back when he and Aiden were in school together."

I glance at Lucy, who’s suddenly very interested in stirring the mashed potatoes. Her mom’s words hang in the air, charged with something I can’t quite place.

"It’s true," Lucy’s mom continues, her tone casual. "Remember how Lucy used to follow Joel around like a puppy dog whenever he came around."

"Mom," Lucy groans, shooting her a look. "That was forever ago."

"You were adorable," her mom insists, unfazed. "And you, Joel, were too oblivious to notice."

"I…" I start, but the words fizzle out. I glance at Lucy, who’s avoiding my gaze like it’s the plague. There’s a faint blush on her cheeks, and for some reason, it’s all I can focus on. It’s a memory trying to surface, Lucy in middle school, all wide eyes and a quick laugh, always ready with some clever remark to keep up with Aiden and me. And then there were the moments I’d catch her watching me, her gaze lingering just a second too long. I’d chalked it up to pre-teen awkwardness, never giving it much thought. Then, when we came home from college and Lucy was in high school, I remember noticing that she was no longer a little girl, but still off-limits.

Her mom shrugs and pats my shoulder. "Well, it’s all water under the bridge now. Let’s get back to work, shall we?"

But instead of dispersing, her words leave an impression. "Lucy tried to hide it but she had the biggest crush on you."It’s meant to be lighthearted, but now it feels like a spotlight on something I’ve been too cautious to name. I glance at Lucy again, wondering what she’s thinking, but she’s already moved on, chattering with her mom about gravy consistency.

As I grab a dish towel to clean up the counter, I catch snippets of their conversation.

"You’re going to burn that," Lucy’s mom says, pointing at the gravy bubbling a little too enthusiastically on the stove.

"I’ve got it," Lucy insists, but there’s a hint of distraction in her voice. Her mom doesn’t let it go.

"Lucy, honey," she says softly, leaning closer, "you’ve been blushing since I walked in here. Are you sure there’s nothing going on with you and Joel?"

Lucy sputters, her cheeks now a deeper shade of pink. "Mom! Seriously, we’re just… friends."

Her mom gives a knowing smile, not buying it for a second. "Alright, if you say so. But friends don’t usually look at each other the way you two do."

I’m not sure if I should stay or leave, but before I can decide, Lucy shoots me a warning glance. "Joel, do not say a word."

"Wasn’t planning on it," I reply, raising my hands in mock surrender. But even as I return to peeling potatoes, her mom’s words stick with me. Friends don’t usually look at each other the way you two do. What does that mean? And more importantly, what am I supposed to do about it?

Lucy’s mom shifts the conversation to safer ground, commenting on the music playing in the background. But the air feels different now, charged with an undercurrent of questions neither Lucy nor I seem ready to answer. As the playlist switches to a cheery holiday tune, I can’t help but think about it.

By the time dinner’s ready, the house is filled with the kind of warmth that only comes from too many people crammed into one space. The dining table is overflowing with dishes, each more delicious looking than the last. Joel carves the turkey while Miles and Finn fight over who gets the first roll. Lucy’s mom doles out plates with practiced efficiency, like she’s been running Thanksgiving dinners for decades.

It’s noisy, chaotic, and perfect.

"This stuffing is amazing," Aiden says, his mouth full. "Who made it?"

"I did," Lucy replies, looking smug. "Joel helped… kind of."

"Hey," I protest, "those potatoes didn’t peel themselves."

"First, there are no potatoes in the stuffing and second, you mean the potatoes you almost ruined by adding them to the cranberries?" Lucy teases, and the table bursts into laughter.

As the meal winds down and we start in on the pumpkin pie, the conversation shifts to other topics: holiday traditions, childhood memories, and Lucy’s mom’s ongoing campaign to convince Aiden to finally settle down.

"Aiden, sweetheart," her mom says, waving a fork for emphasis, "it’s time you stopped playing bachelor and found someone. I’m not getting any younger, you know. I’d like some grandchildren from you too."

"Mom," Aiden groans, rubbing his temples. "You’ve got Lucy for that."

"Oh, Lucy’s on her own timetable," her mom retorts. "And besides, she’s already given me hope by bringing Joel into the mix."

"What?" Lucy’s fork clatters to her plate as she looks up, wide-eyed. "Joel’s not… he’s not in the mix!"

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