Page 80 of Sweet Heart

“Yes, yes, I will.”

Chapter 29

Cat

“¡Hola, mi amor! Dios, it smells delicious in here.”

Carmen’s voice drifts through the apartment, and my lips instantly tug up. I check the time on the slow cooker and then peer into the oven where the roast is basking in the heat, its skin bubbling as it turns crispy. I wipe my hands on my apron and reach for the glass of wine on the counter when she and Mary enter the kitchen.

“¿En serio, Kitty Cat? Pernil? You are trying to make me fat.”

“Not trying, hermosa.”

“Hey!”

Mary lets out a soft chuckle and reaches for a fresh glass behind me. I grab her wrist midair and tug her softly toward me so that my lips brush hers in a fleeting kiss. Carmen instantly rolls her eyes, but I can see the twinkle in them. For now, at least. Mary blushes while she hands me a fine bottle of Argentinian Malbec, and I reach for the corkscrew.

“Good choice, Car,” I mumble as I open it up.

I’ve always appreciated that in her. She might not have the biggest paycheck, but she never skimps on her gifts. They are always thoughtful and of high quality. Few people know that side of her. She is often seen as whimsical and hyperactive, but Carmen has a soul that runs deep. She sees things others miss, and I think that’s beautiful.

“Gracias,” she quips back and peers into the oven like I did only moments ago.

“Are we having be—”

The doorbell interrupts her, and Mary instantly hops toward the door. I can’t help but softly shake my head. Mi conejita, my little bunny. Carmen watches her go, too, that same soft look in her eyes that she had at the fundraiser. Something in me bristles at her eyes on my girl, but another part feels… seen.

“Dios, Cat, she really is something else.”

“Careful, Carmen. I would almost think you have a crush on her.”

“Don’t mind if I do.” She turns toward me and grins.

I squint my eyes, knowing perfectly well she is teasing but also knowing that there is more to it than she’d ever want to admit. It’s not that she has a crush on Mary, but she sees what we have, and I get the feeling it makes her a bit lonely. For someone with such a big mouth on them, she is surprisingly timid when it comes to approaching possible love interests. But I guess that’s where I come in.

“Joke all you want,” I say, slowly raising a single eyebrow, “but I know you have your eye on somebody else.”

Her pupils enlarge, and she pulls back a bit before regaining her composure and putting on her brave face.

“Oh? Then you know more than me.”

“Mm-hm,” I hum in reply and turn to get the pork out of the oven.

“Hiiii.”

Riley’s light voice fills the kitchen with an audacity that is borderline invasive for a first visit, but, for some reason, I smile anyway. Maybe it is because her free spirit reminds me of Mary’s.

“Doctor Durand,” Celeste’s clipped voice follows.

Before I can address it, Mary already hums.

“Cat, you can call her Cat. Right, babe?”

I huff quietly, closing my eyes briefly as I shake my head in amusement.

“Yes, outside of the OR, call me Cat, please.”

“Cat,” Celeste acknowledges with a soft nod, and Carmen raises an eyebrow.