Page 10 of Doctor Billionaire's Surprise Baby

I cradled my forehead in my hands as my elbows rested on my desk. It had been a fucking long day. Some tough clients soon to be patients at the hospital. Sometimes this job took its toll. So, yeah, a workout would be good.

I'm in.

I tidied up my desk. Reception had long left. Things had been weird with Simone lately and it was totally my fault. Ever since the discussion with the guys, I had been on edge. I knew I had to make a move soon if this was what I was going to do. That was the first hurdle. The second was to introduce the thought to Simone. That wasn't a guaranteed yes either, but if Seth was supportive, then she would at least think about it. I knew she would.

The thing that changed me the most was thinking about Simone differently. Being married to her meant spending more time with her. Letting her into my world a little. I wasn't going to lie and say that was an easy thing for me to contemplate. I've been alone most of my life. My parents, as well intended as they may be, were always busy with work and trying to secure their place in Milan's social scene. My older twin sisters, Giuliana and Giorgia, soon developed into some of the most glamorous twins and created a whole social scene to themselves. One that was filled with late night parties, designer clothes, shoes and bags. All the things that didn't matter to me.

I guess you could call me the black sheep of the family. The loner. But is it wrong to want to contribute to the world by solving some of the most difficult medical problems, instead of being a party boy, waiting to inherit a vineyard? You might call me crazy. I have family money waiting for me. I just have to step into the role of master winemaker. But it doesn't interest me. Not in the slightest.

I don't know what drew me to neurology. Maybe because I think my own brain is so fucked up, I wanted to somehow understand it. The grey matter that rests in all our skulls was such a mystery to me.

No matter how much I understood it medically, there was so much I didn't understand about my own emotions and thoughts. And maybe that's why I found it so intriguing.

But now it was Simone that I was finding intriguing.

I had always shut off any romantic feelings that occasionally showed up in the times we sat a little too close. The times where I would lean into her to show her something on the computer screen. The smell of her floral perfume. Her breathy response to a few of my questions. I have to admit, I had to cool myself down a couple of times.

She's always been Seth's sister. My loyalty to Seth will never waver. He's more than a brother to me. It's like he's part of me. And I don't ever want to betray that. So, I've always shut these feelings down, and I know that it's what Seth would want, too.

But he didn't argue with the marriage idea. Maybe he feels that it is a good opportunity for both of us and that we would be a good couple, if only for a while. But yeah, the fact that he entertained the idea was interesting.

I shook my head to break these thousands of thoughts that kept haunting me. I picked up my stuff and headed to the gym. I needed this workout as much as Austin needed it.

As I climbed the stone steps to the historical building renovated to be one of Boston's elite gyms, I felt a little lighter. The cloud of thoughts was clearing and I knew a workout would brush out the rest of the cobwebs threatening my sanity.

"Dr. Barone. Welcome back. It's been a few days since we've seen you here." Amy was a fixture at the gym reception and I could see why she was chosen to be the face for the gym. She was clearly in great shape and very athletic, but better than that, she seemed to remember everyone's names and their schedules. She made you feel like you belonged, and that's probably why we were happy to pay way too much to this place. Only the wealthyin Boston could afford this place, because they charged so much, they didn't really care if you actually worked out.

"Yes, thanks for reminding me of my lack of attendance," I teased Amy in return. She laughed her friendly laugh.

"Oh, I didn't mean any harm, Dr. Barone. You're welcome anytime to workout," she paused, then leaned a little closer to whisper, "or not workout." She winked a knowing wink.

"Grazie," I laughed back at her as I walked toward the men's change rooms. "Hey, the boys and I will be having a bite after our workout. Could you reserve a table for us in the lounge? There will be four of us."

"Will do. Have a good one."

I dressed and left the change rooms, walking toward the workout area. Chip, the young gym runner – basically the teenager who made sure everyone had everything they needed – offered me a towel and club water bottle.

"Have a good workout, sir!" he chirped. I nodded at him. This club was really first class.

Dom and Austin were already at the weights when I walked up. I admit, having the women stop their conversations to stare a little was something we dealt with every time we were at the gym. We all made sure to take care of ourselves, and that meant exercising and eating right. I guess the consistency showed and we never had a shortage of admirers. One time, a lady fell off the treadmill when we all pulled up. Her side eye was getting too much for her to maintain balance. Funny, we never saw her again.

"Hey," I said to announce my arrival.

"Hugo!" Dom and Austin commented in welcome as they finished their last reps. We did a round of bro hugs and then continued on.

We had a routine of just working out in each other's spaces. When someone needed spotting, we would oblige and help out. Otherwise, we each knew what we had to do for ourselves.

"Hugo," Austin called out. "I need you to spot me on the bench." We walked over, got the weights set up and Austin lay down.

"Ready?" I asked.

"Go." Austin was a good grunter. We all teased him about it, and this time was no different. I tried to spot him in between my laughter.

He sat up on the bench, clearly exhausted.

"Yo," he said, panting heavily. "What have you decided to do about your future?"

I thought for a moment.

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