Page 34 of Sinful in Scrubs

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “What is she saying that has you so bothered?”

“She wants us to come down and have dinner with you so she can talk to you directly. She thinks you’re avoiding her.”

I bit back a groan. I wasn’t avoiding my in-laws—not exactly. What I was avoiding were the memories of Blair that seemed to hang around Carol and Kevin like a cloud. And what I definitely wanted to avoid was Carol’s inevitable critique of my parenting decisions.

“It’s not avoiding,” I said finally. “It’s…” I trailed off, knowing Lily would see through any excuse I tried to make.

“You’re avoiding her, Dad,” Lily said bluntly.

“Fine,” I said, conceding the point. “Why don’t you bring your grandparents down for dinner? I get a break kind of late. We can have our little family discussion then.”

Lily sighed deeply. “Fine.”

In the background, I heard Jason’s voice, louder and more enthusiastic than his sister’s subdued tone. “Is Dr. Emma gonna be there?”

I smiled despite myself. Jason’s fascination with Emma was heartwarming. Mine… was something else entirely.

“No, she’s not working tonight,” I said. “That’s why I have to be here.”

Jason groaned, his disappointment practically tangible even through the phone.

“Maybe we’ll invite her over for dinner again soon,” I said, trying to lighten his mood.

“That would be great!” Jason shouted, and I heard Lily groan in response.

"Go away, Jason,” she said, her voice dripping with irritation.

“Be nice to your brother,” I told her. I had a suspicion that when I wasn’t around, she was nicer to him. If she was as mean as she wanted me to think, Jason would complain about her much more than he did.

“Fine,” she said after a pause. “I’ll tell Grandma and Grandpa we’ll come have dinner with you at the hospital. What time?”

“Show up anytime after seven,” I said. “As long as I’m not in the middle of something, I’ll be able to take a break. It’ll be late, but… you know, come by. Maybe we can have dessert together or something,” I added.

Lily groaned again. “Fine. I’ll tell them. Any later and she’ll make us wear our footie jammies.”

I chuckled at the visual that popped into my head. Lily and Jason used to wear the oversized, shapeless, footed sleeper pajamas when they were babies and toddlers. They were adorable. Only the image I got was of a surly Lily in one of those get ups, but at her current age and size.

“Don’t laugh at my pain,” she practically wailed.

“Sorry, I wasn’t laughing at you. Something came up here. I’ve got to go. See you later. Call or text to let me know when you get here.”

“Bye, Dad,” Lily said. I was pretty sure she didn’t believe me and thought I was laughing at her.

The evening passed quietly, which was both a blessing and a curse in a hospital setting. A quiet shift often meant the calm before a storm, but I tried not to dwell on that thought.

When my phone buzzed, I checked the message. Lily had texted to let me know they had arrived. I pushed away from my desk and waved my phone at the nurse manning the station.

“I’ll be in the cafeteria if anything comes up,” I said.

The nurse nodded, her expression telling me she understood the unspoken plea in my tone.Don’t let this quiet spell end while I’m gone.

I headed to the cafeteria, texting Lily on the way to let her know I’d meet them there.

Jason was the first to spot me. He waved enthusiastically, his wide grin a welcome sight after a long evening. Lily followed behind him, her arms crossed and her expression firmly in her usual put-upon mode. Behind them were Carol and Kevin. Carol’s lips were already pursed in disapproval, and Kevin wore his usual look of quiet resignation.

“Carol,” I said warmly, extending my hand. “So good to see you.”

She nodded stiffly, then turned her attention to the kids.

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