Page 15 of Baby By my Best Friend's Daddy

“I’m fine,” I said with a bright smile and walked to the ER.

When I stepped outside, my coat wrapped around me, I looked up. The stars were still out, but the dawn was a thin line of promise on the horizon. I took a deep breath. Despite there being no clouds in the sky for a change, it still smelled like rain.

I loved Seattle weather. So many people complained about the rain, the constant cloudy days, but it worked for me. I’d grown up here, and it was home.

When I walked to my car, my phone rang.

“How about a drink?” Brad asked.

I smiled. “It’s not even six in the morning.”

“So? It’s past five.”

I laughed. “It’s supposed to be five in the afternoon for that.”

“Not when you’re only getting off work now. And I happen to know you need a drink.”

My laughter faded. “Where are we going to get a drink at this hour?”

“Leave that to me.”

I smiled and agreed. I could use Brad’s company. It had been a rough two shifts—sometimes, no matter what we did, we lost people—and I was at the end of my line, forcing smiles and playing nice when I could just sit down and cry.

“I’ll pick you up in half an hour.”

We ended the call, and I got into my car. I drove home and waited for Brad to arrive. I’d already showered and changed at the hospital—partly to wake myself up and partly to get rid of the hospital smell that always clung to me.

Brad pulled up in his Maserati, and I got in.

“Hey, cutie.”

I laughed. “You only call me that when you’re drunk.”

“I thought you needed a laugh.”

I nodded. “You have no idea.”

“I do,” Brad said and turned to me with a serious face. “Why do you think I’m here?”

A lump suddenly rose in my throat, and tears stung my eyes. I turned my head toward the window, and Brad started the car. We flew through the city at the speed of light, and finally, Brad stopped at a bar I’d never been to before.

“You look a little pale,” Brad said with a smirk.

“I think you broke every traffic law there is,” I said.

“Eh, the cops are still asleep.” He winked at me. “Let’s get our drink on.”

“Aren’t you working today?” I asked with a laugh as we got out of the car.

“Yeah, but my dad will get it.”

I stilled at the mention of Landon. It had been over a year since I’d last seen him, and I still thought about that night—how it had started, how it had ended…

“Come on, I called in a favor,” Brad said. “The owner is a buddy of mine.”

He pushed through the doors of the bar. It was quiet, with all the chairs tipped onto the tables, but music played, and a bartender stood behind the bar.

“Hey, Tristan,” Brad said, and the two men clapped their hands together in a shake. “Thanks, man.”

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