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“Our daughter,” I concede. “Nothing has really changed with us except now she’s extra protected.”
Pike exhales in a whoosh, and Ryan claps his hands. “That’s wonderful news, Flint. I’m so happy for all of you.”
“I couldn’t have done it without Aspen,” I add, my gaze settling on her.
She waves a hand as Zoe pops the cork of the champagne bottle she collected from the chiller.
“You would have found a way.”
“Maybe,” I agree. “But you have made all our lives considerably easier since you’ve been here.”
She darts a look at Zoe. “Maybe not everyone,” she jokes.
“Oh, no! Are you kidding?” Zoe titters, pouring the drinks into flutes. “You’ve taken up half the cooking, at least.”
“And the driving,” Ryan quips.
“You see?” I tell Aspen. “You’re an asset to everyone.”
“Then you should give me a raise,” Aspen jests, and everyone howls.
“Come over here,” Caden says slyly. “I’ve got something raised for you.”
Horrified, Aspen looks at Zoe and Ryan, but neither of them reacts to Caden’s naked flirtation. It’s nothing they haven’t heard before.
CHAPTER 24
Pike
There’s a noticeable sense of peace that settles over the house over the next couple of days. Caden’s even getting up to join us for breakfast, and when Aspen comments on his early rising, he mentions that he’s got appointments in the morning.
“Appointments that you’re making?” I ask dubiously.
He rolls his eyes at me and jams a bagel between his lips, the sesame seeds falling into his beard and making Lily giggle.
“I’m a doctor, remember?” he says. “I’m used to working thirty-six straight hours without taking a break.”
“Yes, yes, you’re a doctor,” I quip. “Although sometimes I think you’re the one who’s forgotten.”
Flint joins us in the kitchen, fully dressed in a suit, his messenger bag in hand. All eyes turn to him suspiciously.
“That’s your flying outfit,” Aspen says.
He shrugs. “Now that things have settled down a bit, I’m going to check in. You’ll be okay for the day, won’t you?”
“We’ll manage, won’t we, Lilbug?” Caden replies, making a weird face at her.
“You’ll be back tonight?” Aspen asks worriedly.
Flint looks at her. “That’s the plan, unless Allister has fully bankrupted the company since I’ve last been there—which, honestly, I wouldn’t put past him.”
“Why don’t you two just sell the damn business and be done with it?” Caden asks, rising from the breakfast table and brushing off his shirt.
“Why don’t you go back to a discipline of medicine that you actually like?” Flint retorts, and Caden snorts.
“Touché.”
Aspen sighs, but before she can comment on either of their stagnant practices, Flint ambles over to kiss her cheek. “Don’t worry about it. Work is fine. For all my complaining, I’ve learned to like it more since Dad died, honestly.”
