Page 71 of Sinful in Scrubs

Iwas more nervous than I needed to be showing up at Marcus’s house. I took a deep breath and pushed it out through puckered lips as I looked up the steps to the front door.

“You can do this,” I muttered under my breath.

I honestly didn’t know whether I was more nervous for what I needed to tell Marcus or for facing down Lily. She was his daughter, and I understood that she would be a priority to him. If it came down to choosing… I wasn’t stupid. I’ve read my share of internet stories. He would choose her, at least for the last few years she was at home. Would I be able to hang in there, waiting until it was my turn? I didn’t have three years to wait and see. I had eight months at best.

I rang the doorbell and waited, hoping that I would be greeted by either Marcus’s or Jason’s friendly face. I hated to admit it, but Lily’s attitude toward me the last time I was here had me on edge.

Lily opened the door.

I sucked in a sharp breath and pasted a nervous smile on my face. “Hi, Lily.”

She actually wasn’t scowling at me, so maybe this wouldn’t be so bad. And I desperately needed it not to be so bad, especially with the information I needed to tell her father.

“Come on in. Dad’s out back grilling.” She took a step backward, allowing me to come inside.

“Dr. Emma!” Jason’s enthusiastic call had me laughing as he charged down the hall at me.

I didn’t brace myself appropriately enough as he came in and gave me a big hug. The breath I had been holding was forced out of me with an “Uff!”

“Oh, my God, Jason, put her down! You didn’t ask if you could do that,” Lily chastised her brother.

I blinked a couple of times, surprised at Lily’s comment.

“You’re supposed to ask if you can touch people, idiot.” She smacked her brother against the back of his head.

“Sorry,” he said, rubbing at the back of his head. “Sorry, Dr. Emma. I was just so happy to see you again.”

“I’m happy to see you again too, Jason. You are absolutely allowed to hug me,” I said, making sure not to negate Lily’s comment but to reinforce it while letting Jason know I was more than open to his affection.

“Dad’s out back. Come on.” Jason latched onto my hand and began tugging me toward the back of the house.

“You made it,” Marcus said, a grin spreading across his face. “Let Dr. Emma walk on her own. Go get her a drink.”

Jason let go of me after practically pulling me down the steps to the flagstone deck at the back of the house. I rubbed at the spot on my wrist. The kid had a strong grip. “You have Sprite or something like that?” I said to Jason before turning my attention to Marcus. “Why wouldn’t I have made it?”

“Didn’t want you to get lost. After all, New York is a big city,” Marcus joked.

“I managed to find my way around here just fine, thank you,” I teased right back.

The atmosphere felt jovial and friendly, like I belonged. I had truly missed everyone’s company, even Lily’s—though I suspected she did not miss mine at all.

“I thought I would grill up some steaks, get us some brain food, because we have a lot of work to get done today.”

I nodded in agreement. “Brain food sounds good.”

“Did James finally call you?”

“Oh, he called me. I thought you’d like to hear that I have accepted. I will be back in the halls and ER at Manhattan Memorial.”

“It’s good to have you back,” Marcus said. There was something about his soft smile that sent nerves skittering up and down my spine.

“It’s nice to be back,” I admitted.

“You really have them convinced we can come up with a decent enough proposition to instigate an actual intake protocol?” I asked.

“Here you go, Dr. Emma.” Jason was back and handed me a cold can of soda.

“I think we have enough proof that we can come up with a decent proposal to justify hiring someone full-time for what you were doing the other night.”

---