Page 36 of Doc

James laughs. “Already working on it. Everyone is having grilled cheese and tomato soup; except Doc, of course, who will eat two sandwiches because he hates tomatoes. That okay with you, Soren?”

“Perfect, Ilovetomatoes.”

Doc makes a gagging noise and walks to the fridge, saying, “I knew you were too good to be true.”

Rolling my eyes, I take a seat next to Enzo. “How are you doing?” I ask.

He shrugs. “Okay. I’m up and about at least, until my surgery that is.” There’s bitterness in his tone, but I don’t blame him. I can only imagine what having your whole life turned upside down is like.

“What about you?” he asks. “Doc driving you crazy yet?”

“Hey!” Doc protests as he comes over, sliding a bottle of water my way. “I’m an angel.”

Everyone in the kitchen laughs.

“Bullshit,” James says. “You’re about as innocent as Roman is.”

Enzo snorts. “Which means not at all.” He sighs. “I miss that kid. Benji sends me updates, but it’s not the same.”

Kail reaches over and pats his shoulder. “I know. Maybe you can ask the Boss if Roman can visit? I think it’ll be good for both of you.”

Enzo shakes his head. “No, I don’t want him to see me like this. You know how he is, he’ll feel guilty. I can’t put that on him, he has enough going on.”

“Think about it,” Kail replies. “I think it’ll be good for the both of you.”

Enzo reaches up and squeezes Kail’s hand where it still rests on his shoulder. “Yeah, okay.”

“Dinner’s ready,” James says, breaking the somber moment. He sets bowls of tomato soup and plates of sandwiches on the island. “Go sit down, Doc.”

“Rather stand, thanks,” he replies, giving a cheeky smile.

I smirk and pull my food closer. “I can get a pillow for you if you want, Doc.”

“Fuck off,” he snarks, before biting into a sandwich.

“You sure that,” James waves to Doc, “is what you want, Soren?”

I laugh a little and nod my head, dipping the corner of my sandwich into my soup. “Yes, I think it is.”

“You think?” Doc screeches dramatically. “Do I have to drop my pants and show how much thought you put into it?”

Shrugging, I say, “Sure.” I bite into my sandwich as James reaches out and stops Doc from dropping his hand to his waistband.

“You better fucking not. People are eating, you fucking drama queen.”

Doc rolls his eyes. “Whatever.”

The conversation shifts from Doc’s drama to more mundane things, and it feels nice to be included. I was slightly worried that they would…not exactly exclude me, but unintentionally leave me on the outside of this dynamic they have. Maybe I shouldbe worried about being this comfortable around Doc’s family. Instead, as his eyes meet mine from across the counter, I feel nothing but the promise of something more.

The ringing of a phone breaks the moment, and Doc shoves the last bite of his sandwich into his mouth before pulling the phone out of his pocket. Instead of letting the call go to voicemail, so he can chew and swallow, he instead spits the food out onto his plate.

“Gross,” James says at the same time Doc curses and brings the phone to his ear.

“What’s going on?” he asks in a brisk tone.

We all watch intently as he listens, his expression darkening.

“Be there soon, call me if you have any updates.” He keeps the phone in his hand and meets Kail’s eyes. “I need you and Soren to go to the main house and prep the room for an emergency. Something happened to Georgio De Luca.”

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