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Drew let out a disappointed sigh and I didn’t let it bother me. What did he expect? That the arrival of the twins would erase his bad behavior? His rudeness? Well, he could think again because that wasn’t going to happen.
“Anything I should know about the patients?”
I shrugged, steadfastly ignoring him. I would answer his questions but I wouldn’t elaborate. In fact, I did everything to convey that I didn’t want to talk to him without coming right out and saying so. Despite my crazy model mother and musician father, I was raised with basic common courtesy.
Unlike some people.
“If so, I’m sure it’s in their charts.”
Thankfully, Suzie chose that moment to walk into the kitchen, looking refreshed with damp blond hair, pink cheeks and lips pulled into a wide smile. “Good morning, everyone!” Her voice was bright and chipper.
“I guess the shower worked?” Having one infant was challenging to most parents, and Suzie had two to deal with while her partner was on the other side of the country. I was happy to do anything I could to help.
Her shoulders fell and a relieved groan escaped. “It was magical thanks to that coconut pineapple body wash. Worked like a charm. Thank you, Zola.”
“No thanks necessary,” I told her and handed Gigi off. “But I think I’ll go grab a shower of my own now. I’ll be back for eggs after I get dressed, Granddaddy.”
“Don’t dawdle, the kitchen ain’t open all day, not even for you.” He winked and I stuck my tongue out at him.
“I’ll be fast. I promise.” With that promise, I rushed out the back door and sought refuge in the guest house.
Away from Drew’s heavy gaze, and clumsy attempt at conversation.
Away from his deeply masculine scent and his overwhelming presence.
Just…away.
Drew
“When are you going to realize that Zola is a smart and very capable doctor, Drew? More importantly, when are you going to start treating her better than you have been?” Suzie gave me a long look that would have made me squirm if Berna wasn’t sleeping so peacefully in my arms.
“Whoa, you stole Mom’s tell me all your secrets look and made it even more intimidating.”
Her face morphed from a frown into a satisfied smile. “Thanks, but don’t think complimenting me will get you out of this conversation.”
I should have known it wouldn’t be so simple. “There is no conversation to have, Suzie. We’re working on it.”
“Sounds like bull to me,” Aaron added as he set two plates piled with creamy scrambled eggs and buttery toast, on the table in front of each of us. “But I’m just an old man, not a doctor, so what do I know.”
“You’re more than an old man,” Suzie smiled up at him. “You’re the best cook around with enough charm for ten men.”
“Just ten? I must be losing my touch.” He stopped to kiss Gigi and then Berna on top of their heads. “Holler if you need anything.”
Aaron left us alone and Suzie let out an exhausted sigh. “Zola is incredible, Drew. She is already a good doctor and learning from you could make her an amazing surgeon. That would be a feather in your cap, and the hospital’s.”
I knew that, but I didn’t want to have this conversation. “Well she can’t be any kind of doctor if she runs to the administrator after every disagreement.”
“Is that what you think?” Suzie laughed and shook her head. “I haven’t heard a peep out of Zola about your terrible attitude or bad behavior. If anything she’s probably the only one who hasn’t come to me about it.”
Dammit.
“You know, Drew. It’s all right if you like her. She’s smart and beautiful and kind. Sarah would be happy if you moved on with someone like that.” Her soft tone hardened with her next words. “What isn’t okay, is for you to be mean to her simply because you like her. We are not in second grade anymore.”
“Who said anything about liking her?” It couldn’t be as simple as that. I liked plenty of women over the years and we got along just fine. No, it wasn’t that. Zola was arrogant and too damn eager. She just needed to slow down, learn the ropes and we could get along fine.
“I do, and I’ve known you longer than you’ve known yourself, so I know of what I speak. Just apologize to her and find a way to work together peacefully. I would really like it if I didn’t get called away from my babies because own brother is behaving like an ass.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence, sis.”
She laughed. “I have every confidence that you will do the right thing, Drew. You’re a good guy, most of the time. When you want to be.”
“Fine, I’ll go apologize.” I could admit that I had been less professional and more of a jerk to Zola than was warranted, but it was necessary to keep a healthy distance between us. Growing too familiar could lead to trouble, the exact type of trouble I’d steered cleared of since putting Sarah in the ground.
