The Doctor's Orders E-Book

Heidi Cullinan

• Herausgeber: Dreamspinner Press
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 489

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2019

Beschreibung

Sequel to The Doctor's Date Copper Point Medical: Book Three Once upon a time Nicolas Beckert was the boy who stole kisses from Jared Kumpel beneath the bleachers, but now Jared's a pediatrician and Nick is the hospital CEO who won't glance his way. Everything changes, however, when they're stranded alone in a hospital elevator. Ten years of cold shoulders melt away in five hours of close contact, and old passions rekindle into hot flames. Once out of the elevator, Jared has no intention of letting Nick get away. It's clear he's desperate for someone to give him space to let go of the reins, and Jared is happy to oblige. But Jared wants Nick as a lover in a full, open relationship, which is a step further than Nick is willing to go. They've traded kisses under the bleachers for liaisons in the boardroom… and it looks like the same arguments that drove them apart in high school might do the same thing now.  Jared's determined not to let that happen this time around. He won't order Nick from his shell—he'll listen to what his friend says he needs to feel safe. Maybe this time he can prescribe his lover a happy ever after. 

Leseprobe

Table of Contents

Blurb

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Epilogue

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Copyright

The Doctor’s Orders

By Heidi Cullinan

Sequel to The Doctor’s Date

Copper Point Medical: Book Three

The elevator at St. Ann’s is out of order… but the chemistry between the doctor and CEO is working just fine.

Once upon a time Nicholas Beckert was the boy who stole kisses from Jared Kumpel beneath the bleachers, but now Jared’s a pediatrician and Nick is the hospital CEO who won’t glance his way. Everything changes, however, when they’re stranded alone in a hospital elevator. Ten years of cold shoulders melt away in five hours of close contact, and old passions rekindle into hot flames.

Once out of the elevator, Jared has no intention of letting Nick get away. It’s clear he’s desperate for someone to give him space to let go of the reins, and Jared is happy to oblige. But Jared wants Nick as a lover in a full, open relationship, which is a step further than Nick is willing to go. They’ve traded kisses under the bleachers for liaisons in the boardroom… and it looks like the same arguments that drove them apart in high school might do the same thing now.

Jared’s determined not to let that happen this time around. He won’t order Nick from his shell—he’ll listen to what his friend says he needs to feel safe. Maybe this time he can prescribe his lover a happy ever after.

This novel is dedicated to my patrons, who waited so patiently for a whole year while I did almost nothing but write this trilogy. Thanks for being my rock, guys.

Rosie Moewe

Anu Harvey

DeAnna Ferguson

Carole Lake

Lauren Adams

Michele Crissinger

Raybo Sparkles

Kaija K

Heather Nelson

Susan Freedman

Katherine DuGarm

Carlamia Sciberras

Kim Heath

Dana Fine

Mandy Anne

Susan Romito

Leslie Juhlke

Hils

Aerielle Kaiser

Laura Ryder

Olivia Ventura

Sandy C

Jennifer Harvey

Aurora Willow Kenyon

Maureen Murray

Sueann Snow

Ninna Debel-Hansen

Karen Mathre

Erin Sharpe

Lisa Strimple

Terri Hawkins

Joellen Shendy

MtSnow

Liliane Menard

Amanda Briggs

Juli-Anna Dobson

Kirsten Madden

Emilie

Olivia Orndorff

Amanda Hobson

Lois Bradbeer

John Brandt

Kyl James

Chris Klaene

Christine Weingart

Elaine Corvidae

Karen Ray

Maggie White

Trista Dunaway

Jess Severe

Theodore Loucks

Brian B.

H Lie

Carin Bockleman

Kathryn Martino

Melissa

Melanie Köhler

Jessica Lynn

Kimberly M. Lowe

Brook Savage

Tracy A Faul

Marti

Liz Cowan

Ruth Staunton

Krista Holtz

Mary Dolphin

Melissa Walton

Harrison Hicks

Wanda Gibney

Cindy Kennedy

ABL

Shannon Curry

Erika Fawcett

Melissa Valentine

Jennifer Rice

Nikki Cheah Attenbrough

Sharis Ingram

Hattie

Lauren Weidner

Gitte

Nichole Lacy

Savannah J. Frierson

Laura

Deandra Ellerbe

Daith Garlington

Annika Bührmann

Kate Ferguson

Libby Mills

Marsha

Michelle Thorla

Margaret Mills

Geraldine Austin

leahjberg

Emilia Agrafojo

Liberty Vasquez

Kimberly Curington

Tina Marie

Nanette Kerrison

Janet Linton

Brittney Musick

Katy

Caryn

Jessica O’Rourke

Linda Hansson

MHH

Kim D

Kari Blackmoore

Sarah Evans

Delfina Kardas-Kotlicka

AllAskewe

Jennifer Richards

Janet Ann Black

Shawn Griffin

Becky Gotthardt

Molly Lathrop

Amelia

Nina L

Bethãnia

lae raal

Geri Olson

Suzanne Bibeault

Kaitlin Bryant

Maria Lima

Rachael Waring

Sarah

Tish Lopez

AnnMarie Fasano

Leanne Carroll

Kathleen Harry

Kira Delaney

Emily Johnson

Mink Rose

Heather C

Eileen Haggerty

Stephanie Steinberg

Mary Eagan

Kathy Wallace

Giselle

Alicia Ramos

Jo Morris

Antonia Aquilante

Victoria Golar

Victoria Poulter

Michelle Coleman

Elizabeth Andrews

Tanzi Melton

Lara Adair

Peter Cornes

Kim Williams

Jennifer Drummond

Evelyn Maire

Emily Seelye

Dawn Duhon

Amanda Kelsey

Colette

Renee Spalding

Rachel Maybury

Kelly M. Gonzalez

Linda

Galexis

Liza Q Wirtz

Christina Maria Rose

Heather Cat

Eugenia M

Jess Lane

Joanne Vukman

Stephani M Rozier

Kathleen Koskie

Lea

Tamara Gal-On

Laura DeMay

Nicola Jennings

China Bower

Lesha Porche

Jordan

blkshp

CurlyQ

Leta Blake

Kezia Shugrue

Cheri Nauman

Jane Coulter

Mari Kane

Amanda McLeod

Amy Irwin

Hamykia

Josephine Myles

Raven

Barbara Armstrong

Mary Balkon

Liz Madrox

Silvia Park

Jules Lovesbooks

Sherry Lynn Burke

Carl Lindström

Jewel Cardwell

Saskia

Bert Jones

Layla Lawlor

Rebecca Cartee

Ann Bryant

Anne Jost

Carolyn Hill

Anu

Jenny Scott

Sarah Moore

Felix Kimmel

Sara Lake

Monica N.

Lin Z Bee

Brandon Witt

Samantha Pilon

Lori MacNabb

Emptycicada

Acknowledgments

THANK YOU to Sonali Dev for help with the Amin family’s names, and to Eliza David and LaQuette for beta reading. I couldn’t have put this book together without you guys and hope this story lives up to your generous guidance. Thanks to Lillie for the indispensable story bible and deep proofing, to Sasha for holding my hand through my year of mess, and to Dreamspinner Press for letting me bring my team to this trilogy.

Chapter One

ONCE UPON a time, Nicolas Beckert went to weddings without a heavy pang in his heart.

He’d attended plenty in his day, between his Copper Point cousins, relatives in Milwaukee, and friends of the family. For several years it felt like every weekend there was yet another gift his grandmother or mother picked out, waiting for Nick to amplify it with a little extra cash and a handwritten note wishing the couple a bright future. Nick had always happily gone to these weddings. As the one who had understood without being told it was his job to live up to the legacy of service and grace his father had left behind, Nick knew his duty, and he took pride in fulfilling it, never once begrudging even a penny of those cash packets tucked into the card or a second of those busy Saturday afternoons.

Lately, though, the weddings themselves underscored the fact that while he was present at these events, he was separate from them in a way he couldn’t ever let anyone know.

The wedding of his third cousin at the New Birth Baptist Church in Copper Point was particularly uncomfortable, and it wasn’t just because the first Saturday in June had dawned uncharacteristically muggy and hot. People were gossiping as they always did, but the topic du jour made him distinctly uncomfortable.

“Did you hear, the surgeon and nurse finally picked a date for their wedding? Coming up fast too. First weekend in October.” The speaker, one of Nick’s distant relations, raised her eyebrows knowingly, fanning herself with a paper plate as she stood in line for the buffet. “Going to be a big to-do, since Dr. Wu has his family coming from Taiwan.”

Nick’s great-aunt clucked her tongue. “The things we see sometimes.”

The group around them made ever-so-slightly disapproving noises.

This was spoken a bit loudly, for the benefit of Dr. Kathryn Lambert-Diaz, whose first cousin was the bride. Kathryn was attending with her wife, Rebecca, whom she’d married years ago in a ceremony among friends and accepting family members while Kathryn was doing her residency at the University of Iowa. Nick watched them both, worried Rebecca in particular would say something, but they only continued to chat politely with Kathryn’s parents. They didn’t have plates of food in their hands and looked as if they were about to leave.

“The other couple hasn’t set their date yet, but they’re next.” By other couple, his great-aunt meant Dr. Owen Gagnon and Erin Andreas. “Should have never thought to see the day.”

“All of them working at the hospital too.” Uncle Billy leaned around his wife to addressNick, who stood close enough to easily be drawn into conversation. “You best keep your people in line there, son.”

His wife swatted Billy with her fan. “You leave the boy alone. He’s had enough work, with the embezzlement scandal. He don’t need your sass too.”

Pastor Robert came up behind Nick and rested a hand on his shoulder. “I have faith in our Nick. He’s done a wonderful job with the hospital. I daresay we’ve never had better leadership in place there, thanks to him. We certainly haven’t had a better CEO.” He winked at Nick. “If all it comes with is a bit of unusual community color, I suppose we can count that as a blessing.”

Everyone at the table chuckled, and Nick inclined his head. He wanted out of this conversation. “I should go check on my grandmother and mother, to make sure they don’t need anything. If you folks’ll excuse me?”

They shooed him away gleefully, but Nick could hear them talking about him as he disappeared, and a perverse instinct kept him nearby but hidden so he could eavesdrop.

“He’s the next one we need to see married off.”

“Get him a wife and a couple of kids, and we’ll have ourselves the Copper Point Obamas!”

“What’s taking him so long, though? He never dates anybody.”

“Well, he’s been busy with all those scandals.”

“Scandal’s been done and dusted. Besides, a man’s got needs. It’s not right, him never dating.”

“You don’t think our Nick….”

Nick’s stomach turned over. Wiping his mouth to cover the grimness of his countenance, he moved out of earshot before he heard the rest of that sentence.

He didn’t get three feet, though, before he ran into the choir director, James Grant.

James greeted him with his usual wide smile. “Nick, looking good, brother.” His grin faded as Nick failed to mask his unsettled emotions fast enough. “You all right? Something happen?”

Nick fished up a smile. “Nah. No worries. Too much to do, is all, too much on my mind.”

James raised an eyebrow. “Things haven’t calmed down at the hospital?”

“Oh, you know how it goes.” Nick couldn’t quite catch his groove. That last remark kept echoing in his head. You don’t think our Nick….

James put a hand on Nick’s shoulder. “Hey. You want to go sit somewhere for a minute and talk? You don’t look so good.”

Talking was the last thing Nick wanted to do. And much as he loved James, sitting with him and having an intimate heart-to-heart would only fuel the flames of what people were apparently thinking about their Nick. He held up his hands. “Thanks, but honestly, I’m just doing a little too much these days.” He took a step sideways and kept walking as he spoke. “I gotta go check in for a second. But we’ll talk soon. The choir is killing it, by the way.”

“All right.” James waved him away, looking sad. “We’ll talk later.”

Nick gave himself a moment behind a bush to gather his composure before hunting down his family. His mother, grandmother, and sister were together at the table where the groom’s closest relatives had gathered, Grandma Emerson holding court. She was in the middle of telling some story as Nick approached, but his sister broke away to greet him.

“Hey, you.” She nudged him with her hip. “You going to get down with me later?”

“Can’t. Got the reception for Dr. Amin.”

She sighed. “Oh right, I forgot you had to leave early.”

“Erin’s covering for me, letting me show up late.” He tugged at his tie and reached into his pocket for his handkerchief to dab at his neck, which dripped in the heat. “Need to go home and freshen up before I head out to the country club.”

“Country club crowd.” Emmanuella wrinkled her nose. “How bad will that be?”

“Standard hospital donor schmoozefest. Pretty dry and crusty, but they made the cardiac unit possible. I wish you would’ve agreed to be my date so you could meet Dr. Amin. She’s amazing. You’ll love her.”

“I’ll meet her sometime when she’s not at one of those dog and pony shows, thanks. The dedication ceremony was more than enough for me.” She punched him lightly in the arm. “Besides. It’s time you get a proper date for yourself instead of hauling me around to these things.”

“She wants to meet the family, though, since she wasn’t in town for the ceremony.”

“You should invite her family over for dinner. Mom and Grandma would love it.” She leaned in closer and spoke quietly. “Did I hear right, the Ryans will be there?”

The Ryans were Jeremiah Ryan, their father’s longtime friend and sometimes business partner back in the day, and his daughter Cynthia. Since then, Ryan had made quite a name for himself in the hospital industry, to the point that now he was the CEO of a corporation managing several medical centers in the Midwest. Nick nodded, stealing a careful glance at their mother. “Was she the one who mentioned it?”

Emmanuella snorted. “I can’t believe she hasn’t bothered you about it yet. You know she’s always dreamed about Cynthia Ryan as a daughter-in-law.”

Yes, Nick was painfully aware. He didn’t comment, choosing to wipe his mouth with his hand and send his gaze out across the crowd. It landed on the bride and groom, who stood hand in hand as they greeted their guests two tables over. They looked so happy.

Nick fought another pang in the center of his chest.

His mother spied him then, smiling wide and waving him to her side. “Baby, come sit and eat. I made you a plate, and it’s getting cold.”

Though Nick wasn’t remotely hungry, he held up his hands in apology, dredged up his most charismatic grin, and settled into the space beside her. “Sorry, was making my rounds.” He reached across the table to shake hands with the groom’s family. “Wonderful ceremony. Thanks so much for having us.”

Mrs. Hill beamed and pressed her hand to her chest. “We’re so glad y’all could come. Especially since your mother tells me you have another event yet today?”

“Reception for the new cardiologist, yes.”

Mr. Hill’s chest puffed up at being prioritized over the fancy country club shindig. “I’m telling you, Nick, your daddy would be so proud to see the work you’ve done with that hospital. Not just becoming the CEO, but cleaning up all the mess those fools made for so many years. You’re a credit to his name.”

Nick inclined his head. “Thank you, sir.”

Mrs. Hill elbowed her husband with a sly wink. “Now we have to help find him a lovely wife too.”

Nick pushed the potato salad and baked beans around his plate, doing his best to ignore the leaden feeling in his stomach.

As the table conversation resumed, allowing him to drift into his own thoughts again, Nick focused on the sea of guests. People were happy and laughing, caught up in the festivities. It was a humble gathering, with homemade decorations and family and church members helping cook and serve the dishes in lieu of a catered lunch. It was practically more picnic than wedding, except everyone was dressed in their finest outfits, and in the case of many of the ladies, hats. Nick loved the children the best, in their frilly dresses and suits and ties, chasing each other and giggling as they ran about the lawn, mothers and aunties occasionally hollering at them to mind their clothes or sit and finish their food.

Everything was warm and wonderful and perfect.

The bride and groom glowed as they reveled in their special day. They were good people, and Nick looked forward to watching them make their family together. Except though he celebrated their union and their happiness, it pained him too. With every tinkle of laughter the couple inspired, each beaming smile they shared, the yearning inside Nick grew, until eventually he excused himself from the table and flitted around the reception once more.

When the time came for him to bid people goodbye and get ready for the country club party, he was almost relieved. As he stopped by his family to let them know he was leaving, his grandmother put her hand on his arm. “There’s a bag on the table in the kitchen, a small gift for the Ryans. Give it to them, will you, when you see them this afternoon? And be sure to say hello to Cynthia. Tell her to stop by the house the next time she’s through.”

“Of course.” With a squeeze of her shoulder, Nick went on his way.

He found the gift—locally roasted coffee and a loaf of Grandma Emerson’s famous banana bread tastefully tucked inside tissue paper in an elegant bright blue gift bag—where she’d said it would be. It smelled wonderful, and he lingered to savor the mingling scents. Then, setting his keys beside the package so he wouldn’t forget it, he hurried upstairs to shower.

Shutting his eyes under the spray, Nick saw the smiling faces of the bride and groom once again in his mind’s eye. So happy. So celebrated. So protected. Everything laid out before them, the community ensuring their path stayed clear.

What would that be like, he wondered?

Adjusting the plain silk bow tie over the tips of his shirt collar, he stared at his reflection. He felt much stiffer in his tuxedo than he had in the tan suit and gray-striped tie he’d worn to the wedding. He tried out a few expressions in the mirror, searching for one that allowed him to remain guarded but still seem dignified.

He grabbed the gift bag along with his keys, and to boost himself on the way to the country club, he blasted The Weeknd on his stereo. He sang along, winding down the long, scenic road leading to the country club on the top of the hill overlooking the most beautiful and expansive part of the bay.

Pulling up to the gates, he clicked off the radio, put his work face on, and presented his member card to the guard.

The party was in full swing as he handed his keys to the valet and entered the crush. The women were in elegant dresses, the men all in tuxedos or suits—excepting Rebecca Lambert-Diaz. She and Kathryn had already arrived, no longer dressed in airy outdoor wedding clothes, but while Kathryn wore a simple black evening gown, Rebecca had donned a smart black pantsuit with glittering rhinestones on the collar and cuffs. They seemed a bit more at ease at this party than the one they had left, laughing and mingling with the guests.

Nick took his place in the crowd as well, moving from group to group, smiling and shaking hands, ensuring people felt welcomed. His reception here was markedly different than it had been at church. Here they were wary of him, the young upstart who had changed so much about the tidy lives of Copper Point.

As far as they were concerned, he’d broken all their rules. Nick had been hired to be a pawn. Oh, no one had ever come out and said as much, but he’d understood things with one glance. A hospital CEO, at his age? He didn’t have the experience. His suspicions had been confirmed as soon as he’d come through the door. No real power, no backing. Even so, experience was experience, and it was nice to stay close to home. He’d told himself he could put up with it for a while, until it was time to upgrade.

Except part of him hadn’t been able to shake the idea that he could dig under the rotten surface of the institution and dismantle the system that had broken his father’s spirit and nearly ruined their family. A few years on the hospital board had been enough to catch the attention of the power players at the hospital in a way that dogged him even after he’d been voted out. They worked behind the scenes to ruin his business and nearly cost him his home—and ultimately, through his failing health, had cost him his life.

Nick hadn’t really thought he’d be able to avenge his father, had only dreamed of it. But with the help of Erin and the others, he’d done just that. Now there was a new board, a new balance of power, and a new day at St. Ann’s. For many of the people in this room, though? Oh, Nick was still that man. It didn’t matter that the board members who’d embezzled a scandalous amount of money were all in jail and that Nick had helped put them there. These people still didn’t like him. They didn’t like how he’d gone out of his way to make the new hospital board reflect the diverse population of Copper Point. There was a lot of rumbling from this set about “the way things used to be,” their gazes turned toward the past with longing.

Well, Nick thought as he sipped a glass of champagne he’d collected from a passing tray, if they’d rather have the crooks than progress, then screw ’em.

Jeremiah Ryan beamed when he saw Nick, waving him over. Cynthia waved too, her expression welcoming and warm, reminiscent of the faces he’d left at the wedding reception. It also carried the whiff of something more, something hopeful.

Nick smiled back, ready to make his way to this important donor, this friend of the family, this man who understood his difficult position better than anyone, this woman he admired and considered an important friend. But before he reached them, he bumped into another guest, and as soon as he saw who it was, his carefully constructed image fell apart.

“Sorry.” The man, fair-haired and tall, but not as tall as Nick, held up his hands and stepped aside. As their gazes met, the man’s smile fell away. “Oh. It’s you.”

Yes. It’s me.

It’s you.

They both had their masks down as they regarded one another. Nick was conscious of the heavy beating of his heart, of the ache and longing he always felt when he stood this close to Dr. Jared Kumpel. He looked devastating in his tuxedo, crisp and neat, dark-blond hair gleaming in contrast to the dark fabric, his light skin glowing in the dim light.

He was beautiful in a way that stole Nick’s breath and short-circuited his brain. This man had stirred him ever since he could remember, since the moment Nick had been, at last, able to understand why he felt so different than everyone else around him.

Jared spoke first, his voice thin and forced. “How was the wedding?”

It took Nick a second to register what Jared had said, to remember he shouldn’t simply stare at the seductive curve of the man’s upper lip. “G-good. It was good.” He cleared his throat. “Hot.”

“Yes, it’s a muggy day out, isn’t it?” The conversation, such as it was, broke off and dangled.

Nick tugged at the cuffs of his shirt and glanced away. “I should….”

“Of course.” Jared’s voice was flat, dead, as if he couldn’t wait to get away. “I’m sorry to keep you.”

And just like that, they parted, Jared wafting over to the bar, Nick resuming his trajectory toward the Ryans, plastering on the expression he’d practiced in the mirror as the leaden weight settled all the more deeply onto his heart.

DR. JARED Kumpel wanted to find a dark broom closet, put a bucket over his head, and scream.

It was supposed to be an evening of celebration. The physicians, board members, and local donor class were gathered at the Copper Point Country Club to toast the arrival of Dr. Uma Amin, who would start work next week. After years of embezzlement scandals and a complete overhaul of the hospital board of directors, at last things were peaceful. Perfect, even.

Except for the part where Nick Beckert had a smile for everyone in the room but Jared. The memory of Nick’s bright expression melting away at the sight of Jared, the way he’d hurried off as if escaping the plague, drove Jared directly to the bar, where he sipped his drink and tortured himself by watching Nick pull out the charm for everyone else.

Goddamn it.

Jared had absolutely no right to feel so proprietary, which only made him crankier. Nick wasn’t his boyfriend, was barely his friend, despite the fact that once upon a time they’d been so intimate he could have identified the man by the sound of his breath. For the past four years, Nick had been Jared’s employer, in a sense, though the contractual relationship between clinic physicians and St. Ann’s Medical Center was complicated. For years the two of them had silently agreed to pretend the past never existed, and this strategy, while frustrating, had mostly worked out for the best.

It was just lately they’d gotten along, talking casually, playing racquetball, hanging out in the safety of large groups. Jared realized he’d allowed these interactions to engender false hope and perhaps a bit of expectation. He wasn’t ready for Nick to start freezing him out.

Before the embezzlement crisis, Nick had focused entirely on work, and Copper Point had seemed willing to leave him to his monkhood. But then Nick had taken out the embezzlement ring in the old board and overseen funding for the long-overdue cardiac center, dedicated in his father’s name. He was the shiniest man in town, and everyone wanted him on their arm.

So many damn women wanted him in their bed.

Watching yet another woman brush a manicured hand along the sleeve of Nick’s tuxedo jacket, Jared told himself it didn’t matter. He’s never going to admit who he is, even to himself, so who cares who flirts with him?

I care, damn it. Turning away with a glower, Jared finished off his drink and wandered into the crowd. Except he didn’t feel like mingling, so he found a table as far from Nick as possible and sat, ready to bury himself in his phone.

He hadn’t had so much as a chance to reach for his pocket before someone joined him. Dr. Owen Gagnon, the anesthesiologist at St. Ann’s Medical Center and one of Jared’s best friends, pushed a glass in front of Jared and plunked down at the table beside him. “Doing all right? You seem off your game.”

After taking a sip of his drink, Jared waved a breezy hand. “Fine. Not feeling the hospital function vibe, is all.”

With a grunt of agreement, Owen peeled back the panels of his tuxedo jacket and settled in. “Jack has to be jealous we didn’t throw him a party when he arrived.”

Jack was Dr. Hong-Wei Wu, St. Ann’s resident general surgeon. “Knowing Jack, he’s indifferent. I’d think he wouldn’t want the fuss but would have endured it if we’d arranged it for him. Though maybe you’re right. Maybe he was quietly offended we didn’t treat him better. He holds a lot of cards close to his vest.”

Owen snorted. “He’s all about doing things up properly. I bet he was mad we didn’t give him more of a welcome. He sure as hell deserved it.”

Jared felt better not thinking about Nick. He tried to keep the conversation going. “By the way, the quintet sounded great, but of course it always does. Your solo was particularly good.”

As usual, Owen ignored the compliment and wrinkled his nose. “I don’t love how every time we have one of these gigs I have to play Pied Piper. Sometimes I want to sit and grouse about having to show up in my monkey suit with the rest of the doctors.”

“If your fiancé hears you, you’ll be sleeping in the garage tonight.”

“Yes, well, the good news is the garage in the mansion is climate controlled.” Owen glanced around. “Still, there’s no reason for Erin to have to hear.”

This time Jared didn’t have to fake his grin. “Have you seen Jack or Simon?”

“Jack’s talking with Dr. Amin. Simon, I’m not sure.”

“Probably with Jack, since he’s not with us. He feels out of place at these things. Until he was Jack’s plus-one, he never had to come.”

“As the nursing rep on the hospital board, he’d be here anyway. He needs to get comfortable.” Owen leaned in closer, eyes sparkling with mischief. “So, Mr. I-Know-All-the-Gossip. How’s Copper Point’s elite handling yet another physician who isn’t a white male evangelical Christian?”

“Oh my God. Where do I start?” Jared rolled his eyes and picked up his drink, sipping it as he moved closer to Owen so they wouldn’t be overheard. “The retired college president’s wife was in a private chat group pitching a fit because the new cardiologist isn’t only from India, she’s Muslim. Someone pointed out there was nothing wrong with that, and the end result was the country club scrambling to find someone they could send into the women’s locker room to break up a fight when the online spat went abruptly offline. Then on Copper Point People someone else—no one of note, some random MAGA—complained about how it was obvious St. Ann’s had an antiwhite hiring policy.”

Owen buried his face in his hands. “That Facebook group is trash.”

“Wait until you hear how it got resolved. People argued back and forth for two days, but when everyone was starting to cool off, someone came in as the ‘mediating’ voice and pointed out at least she was straight this time.”

Owen sat up slowly, drawing his fingers down his face and staring sightlessly at the table decorations in front of them. “Tell me again why we live here?”

“Because Simon couldn’t bear to leave his family when we were looking for somewhere for us to get jobs together after med school. Plus now you’re marrying one of the founding sons. Just because we’re stuck in this crazy town doesn’t mean we can’t get our quiet revenge by living well, though. I think you and Erin should adopt a horde of children and raise them Wiccan. It’s the only way to heal this place.”

Owen rubbed his jaw. “I dunno if I’m organized enough to be Wiccan. Aren’t there a lot of meetings and rituals? I could do casual pagan.”

“I think it depends on the type of Wiccan.” Jared lifted an eyebrow. “Are you ignoring the hordes-of-children part, or is this your way of telling me you’ve changed your opinion on fatherhood?”

“Well. I mean, I don’t know about hordes. But yeah, we’ve talked about it some, and it doesn’t seem such a terrible idea, when I think about it with Erin. Oh.” He straightened, his face transforming into a youthful, slightly ridiculous grin as he waved to someone across the room. “Speak of the devil. I need to go. You sure you’re okay here?”

You fine being alone? That was the translation.

Jared got out the fake smile, wrestling it into something genuine. “Nowhere else I’d rather be. Go see your man.”

After Owen left, Jared sipped his drink and people watched for a few minutes, telling himself everything was fine, but his gaze kept drifting to Nick. The DJ switched to a slow song, and one of the women surrounding Nick took his hands to lure him onto the dance floor. He didn’t fight her.

It was the daughter of the investor from Milwaukee. Cynthia Ryan. The two of them looked stunning together, her dark hair swept up in a breathtaking style no white woman in the room could emulate, her brown skin glowing against her goldenrod evening dress.

If Nick took Cynthia home to Grandma Emerson, she’d give her blessing in the span of a sigh.

Setting his teeth, Jared finished his drink, then rose and went to get a refill.

Matthew Engleton was at the bar, collecting change for a vodka sour, and he grinned at Jared as he approached. “Dr. Kumpel. Good to see you.”

It wasn’t a dismissive greeting, which Jared found interesting. He knew Matt, vaguely, because you couldn’t live in Copper Point and not know the Engletons, especially if you ever had to buy a suit from their family store. Matt was on the hospital board now too, so they’d gotten a bit closer.

Jared smiled back politely. “Good to see you as well. Enjoying yourself?”

“Oh, as much as I can at these sorts of things.” Matt leaned an elbow on the bar and gestured at the crowd of Copper Point elite and St. Ann’s higher echelon. “What about you? You aren’t with your usual crew.”

“We’re all busy networking bees. They want the doctors talking to the potential donors, so if we stay in the corner and drink, it defeats the purpose.”

Matt laughed. “Difficult to hide, I suspect, when one of you is engaged to the vice president.” He motioned to the bartender. “Let me buy you a drink, and you can network with me.”

“But you’re a board member.”

“I’m also one of the potential donors. Dad always gives liberally to the hospital, but he never comes to these functions anymore. He says he needs me to be the representative now. So I have double duty.” He raised his eyebrows. “You’ll have to charm the money out of me, Doctor.”

Oh my. Was Matt… hitting on him? A closer inspection of the man’s focused gaze told Jared yes, he was.

Well. He hadn’t seen this coming. Jared had assumed Matt hid his orientation in deference to the family business. Apparently he was wrong, or there was an exception clause for local pediatricians.

Did he want Matt to hit on him? He hadn’t thought of Matt as anyone but the polite man who sold clothing well before, and now was also the man who sat in boring meetings beside him. He supposed he was cute enough….

“What’ll you have?” the bartender asked.

“Old Fashioned,” Jared replied.

A familiar feminine laugh behind him made his shoulders relax. “Someone’s ordering an Old Fashioned? Dr. Kumpel must be at the bar.”

He turned around in time for Rebecca Lambert-Diaz to catch his cheek in her hand and give it a gentle tweak. He playfully swatted it away. “Hello, Rebecca. Where’s your wife?”

“Hiding in a corner. She hates these things, and we already had to endure a family wedding this afternoon.” Rebecca smiled at Matt. “Hello again, Matthew. How’s the store?”

Was it Jared’s imagination, or did Matt’s expression dim a little? “Everything’s going well, but we’d do better if our favorite lawyer came by and checked out our new summer line.”

“Always a salesman. But now that you mention it, you’re right, I haven’t been by in a while.” She withdrew a twenty and waved it at the bartender. “Let me get my glass of wine, we’ll find a seat, and you can tell me what you have in stock. I do need a new suit.”

The three of them ended up back at the table Jared had vacated, Rebecca in the middle as she and Matt spoke intensely about women’s clothing. Jared sipped his drink and scanned the room, more concerned about where people were. Jack was with Dr. Amin, poor Simon appearing as lost as Owen had said. Owen was with Erin, talking with the leader of the Copper Point string quintet.

Where was Nick, though?

Jared’s lip nearly curled when he found him. He was with Cynthia Ryan, and didn’t they look cozy. Grumbling under his breath, Jared took a fortifying drink of alcohol, the burn fueling his ire.

“Don’t you think, Jared?”

He snapped out of his funk at Rebecca’s question. “Sorry, what?”

She gestured to herself, miming dress parts as she spoke. “I enjoy a double-breasted suit, but I think what’s best on me are those single-breasted smooth pieces that don’t have a crease. You know what I’m talking about?”

Jared frowned at her, his attention officially drawn away from Nick. “Well, yes, it’s the most flattering option for you, but it isn’t as if you can wear the same thing all the time.”

Matt held out his hands. “Thank you. I’ve been trying to convince her of this for months.”

Rebecca waved airily. “Whatever, I’ll let the two of you dress me.”

Jared snorted into his Old Fashioned. “You won’t ever give up control so easily, but nice try.”

“Who I’d really like to get into the store is Jared.” Matt bumped Jared’s arm, lingering a little longer than necessary. “It’s been a while since you’ve treated yourself to some new clothes. Unless you’ve been cheating on me with other clothing stores?”

Rebecca laughed. “Jared, leave town to shop? Good luck with that.”

No question about it, Matt was trying to flirt with Jared and was getting lesbian cock-blocked at every turn. Well, Jared supposed he could do worse.

He cut a glance to the other side of the room. Matt was as nice as any number of men, but Jared’s attention was firmly fixed elsewhere.

Jared’s gaze landed on the woman’s hand sliding down Nick’s arm, and his teeth set.

“Did you want another drink?” Matt shook Jared’s glass, which he was shocked to discover was empty. “Or maybe you want to get up and walk around?”

Jared couldn’t look away from Nick, though he knew he needed to. He felt a hand on his arm as he stood—Rebecca gave him a questioning look.

“You’ve seemed off all evening. And honestly, you haven’t been yourself lately, period. Is there something going on?”

How could he tell her or any of them the truth? He bent and kissed her on the cheek. “I’m fine, but thank you.”

She caught his shoulder and kept him down long enough to whisper. “You’re not. You might have fooled the others, but you haven’t fooled me. Who’s giving you a ride home?”

Oh, Lord, now he had Rebecca mothering him. Sighing, he patted her shoulder. “Seriously. It’s not a problem. Okay?”

Matt frowned at him.

Jared squared his shoulders. He was fine. He was absolutely perfect, and he didn’t need a babysitter. Maybe he’d start an affair with Matt Engleton, what the hell. Maybe sweet little Matt would surprise him and he’d be the next one of their group to find a happy ever after.

Sweet, boring Matt.

“You okay?” Matt asked.

God, they needed to stop asking him. Jared’s face was going to break, he was stretching it so far for these damn smiles. “Absolutely.”

Except as they rounded the corner of a group of chuckling old men, he got another glimpse of Nick as the music shifted. It was Prince of all the damn things, and not only Prince but “Kiss.”

Like magnets, Nick and Jared’s gazes met and locked.

You’re not boring, baby. Not boring at all.

And I haven’t forgotten a thing.

When two new women appeared beside Nick, giggling and tugging him forward, Nick turned away, and Jared couldn’t stand it anymore.

Jared threaded his fingers through his hair in an attempt to hide his shaking hands. “Actually,” he said to Matt, “I think I wouldn’t mind stepping outside.”

Matt beamed. “Great.”

Yes, let’s get out of here.

Except Jared knew from experience it didn’t matter how far he ran. He couldn’t get away from Nick.

Chapter Two

NICK DROPPED his focus from Jared for two minutes, and Matt Engleton was draped all over him.

Whenever Nick was in the same room as Jared, he was keenly aware of the man’s presence, but usually they were at work and Jared was only looking fine in a white doctor’s coat and whatever shirt and tie he had underneath, or scrubs if he was doing his turn in the ER. Tonight, however, Jared was in a tux, and it took everything for Nick to keep from feasting his eyes. And what was his reward for good behavior?

Matt Engleton. That puppy.

Good God, the man couldn’t stop touching Jared, hands drifting dangerously close to his ass. During a Prince song, no less.

The hell this was going to stand. Seeing them stalled by Rebecca, Nick longed to stalk across the dance floor and wrench Jared away.

Except of course he couldn’t do that.

Obviously he couldn’t do that. It was just….

“Something wrong?”

Cynthia Ryan’s voice, ringed with concern, brought Nick to reality. He wrenched his attention away from Jared and back to her. “Nothing at all. I’m sorry. What were you saying?”

Jeremiah laughed and clapped Nick on the back. “I was trying to get you to sit down with me and talk about this deal again.”

Nick did his best to tuck away his frustration. “Mr. Ryan. You know how much I love spending time with you, but you also know I can’t make any decisions without the hospital board.”

Ryan waved this objection away. “I know, I know. But your board listens to you. Besides, I like an excuse to sit and drink with a fine young man.” He winked and elbowed Nick. “Be careful, or I’ll have Cynthia convince you instead.”

“Daddy.” Cynthia’s voice was a warning, though she smiled too. Some of that warmth lingered as she turned once more to Nick. “Of course we understand you can’t do anything without the board. But we’d love to go over the plan again to see if we can’t win you over to our way of thinking. You do know this has nothing to do with taking over your hospital and everything to do with supporting someone we see as family.”

She really was the crack negotiator of their team, and it was difficult to say no to her. He opened his mouth to gently skirt the issue, but before he spoke, his gaze darted to the bar against his will, where he saw Engleton’s hand firmly planted on Jared’s shoulder, their hips so close they might actually be touching.

Goddamn it.

Unaware of Nick’s inner conflict, Ryan playfully wagged a finger at Nick. “Let us invest in St. Ann’s and protect the legacy you’ve made.”

Cynthia stepped closer, pitching her voice low. “And let us keep you safe from the vultures swarming around.”

They didn’t move their gazes to the cluster of chuckling men fifteen feet away, but they didn’t need to.

Ryan raised one eyebrow slightly. “You did well, the way you handled that embezzlement scheme last year. And with Dr. Wu’s leadership in surgery and his connections in the field, you’ve put in the work to turn this failing ship around. But you know as well as I do this place can’t rebound so quickly after decades of mismanagement.”

Cynthia nodded. “Your budget won’t rearrange itself. It had to have been a trick to get this cardiac unit into place, and you already admitted to us you’re more in debt than you’d like.”

Nothing they said was untrue. While the new board had a solid plan to get out of debt, it hinged on no surprises upending their efforts. These fund-raisers and glad-handings were insurance. Nick pursed his lips.

“Let us help you,” Ryan urged. “Because if it’s not us, it’s going to be a vulture like Jordan Peterson who comes for you.”

Nick held up his hands. “Never fear. St. Ann’s has no interest in being picked over, by Peterson or anyone.” Before the Ryans could launch into another pitch, he checked on Jared. Matt’s hand had traveled down to settle onto Jared’s waist. Nick couldn’t afford to be polite any longer. “I’m terribly sorry. If you can excuse me.”

Yes, Matt had his hand on the small of Jared’s back now, brazenly leaving it there as if it were his right, and Jared was letting him. Nick had to work his jaw to keep from setting his teeth. Why wasn’t Jared moving away? Was this what he wanted? Nick had thought they’d made some headway lately. He’d thought they’d healed their relationship a bit. He’d thought….

What, you thought it could go somewhere? That because you were somewhat friendly on occasion, he’d never look at another man?

You thought, what, that you were going to start something up with him again? You know that can’t happen. Ever.

He stopped walking, undone by his own thoughts.

“Nick.”

He slow-blinked, hating himself and his hesitation. He didn’t bother with too much of a smile as he turned toward Peterson and his clutch of friends, but he of course couldn’t afford to be rude either. “Mr. Peterson. What can I do for you?”

Peterson waved Nick over like he was calling for a waiter. “C’mere. I was telling a story to these guys, and I know you’d love to hear it.”

Oh, Nick was quite certain he’d not enjoy it at all. Nevertheless, it was his job to stand next to boors such as this and pretend he didn’t mind.

“I was telling the story,” Peterson began as soon as it was clear Nick was obeying him, “about the Iowa hospital we bought last week. Such a wreck. Damn place is in the middle of nowhere, and over half the town is on welfare.” He held up his hand as a shield that hid absolutely nothing and whispered, not at all sotto voce, “Indian reservation.”

The rich white men tittered knowingly. Nick moved his face into a more neutral position and called on his patience.

Enjoying his audience, Peterson continued. “Anyway. They wouldn’t budge for years. Mismanaged everything, then refused help until they were so far underwater they almost had to close. They’re just lucky we came in and bought them out.”

Nick considered saying nothing. It would have been his preference, since clearly Peterson’s whole goal was to bait him. Even a year ago, Nick would have hesitated to wade in no matter what. However, it wasn’t a year ago, and it was obvious the other donors listening to Peterson’s nonsense took him seriously.

Packing away his patience, Nick quietly drew the sword he was starting to get comfortable waving around.

“I’m not sure what part of that I was meant to enjoy.” Nick tucked his hands behind his jacket and regarded Peterson carefully. “However, I do know the hospital to which you’re referring. Iowa privatized its Medicaid system, causing unending issues for rural hospitals and anywhere with an aging population. I can see how it’s of concern in their state, where population growth is declining, especially among the younger generations. As for the mismanagement, I’m afraid it’s all on the state level. I completely disagree about the rescue, however. I happen to know Smithstown did everything they could locally. They retained as many services as they could, because they’re so remote they knew going without a hospital was the one thing their community couldn’t handle. Ah, but that’s the first thing your corporation does when it swoops in, doesn’t it, cut services?” He smiled. “I’m afraid such an arrangement isn’t an opportunity for Copper Point.”

Peterson’s audience became alarmed, clearly not understanding the story in quite that light, and Peterson himself sputtered in quiet fury. “You’re deliberately misrepresenting things, Beckert. Mark my words, you’re going to need us, and sooner than you think.”

“Not while I’m the CEO of the hospital, we won’t.” Seeing Matt and Jared heading toward the country club balcony, Nick decided he’d played with these fools enough. “If you’ll excuse me.”

Crossing the room with swift, purposeful strides, Nick cut Jared off before he reached the door.

“Dr. Kumpel.” He purposefully ignored Engleton, because if he made eye contact with the man, he’d give too much away. “I hope you weren’t planning to leave without greeting your new colleague properly.”

Jared gave him a withering glare. “I’m stepping out for some air. It’s a little stifling in here with all the sucking up going on.”

What was with this snippy attitude? “You’re starting to sound like Owen.”

“Well, someone has to be the resident smart-ass. He’s softened too much since falling for Erin.”

“Someone doesn’t, in fact, need to fill that role.” Nick nodded at Matt. “Sorry, I need to steal Jared for a bit.”

“Of course.” Engleton looked frustrated.

Good.

Unfortunately, Jared was also annoyed and let Nick have it as he was dragged away. “I already met Dr. Amin, and you know it. What was all that about?”

“You didn’t meet her here tonight.”

“Hell.”

“Stop swearing.”

Dr. Amin stood in a cluster of people at the side of the room, the belle of the ball, such as it was. She was talking with Jack and Simon, but her smile widened as Nick approached with Jared.

“Mr. Beckert. Dr. Kumpel. Hello. Thank you again for such a lovely party. I certainly don’t deserve it.”

Nick inclined his head to her. “We’re fortunate to have you. Have you settled in?”

“Yes, yes.” She slipped a lock of hair behind her ear. “The kids are obsessed with the idea of swimming in the lake, though. They won’t listen to us when we tell them the water is cold.”

“Well, it’s not as awful right now as it can be, especially if they’re only wading, but it can be pretty dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. We should have a picnic, though.” Jared nodded at Owen, who chatted with a group of people nearby. “We could have a private welcome for the Amin family at the beach.” He leaned around Nick and shouted at Owen. “Hey, Gagnon. You learn how to drive your boat yet?”

Dr. Amin’s eyes went wide. “Oh, a boat? They’d love that.”

At first the conversation went well. Owen joined them, and so did Erin, and it seemed as if they were making plans, the six of them and the Amins. Except when Nick’s shoulder brushed Jared—somewhat accidental, somewhat on purpose—Jared didn’t let him linger the way he did Matt. Instead he pulled away as if he’d been burned. To make matters worse, he excused himself.

“I’m so sorry to be rude, but I need to see someone before they go. I’ll be right back.”

Jared left, and everyone stared after him in bemusement. Nick wasn’t sure what to do, until he saw Jared heading toward Engleton.

Oh, hell no.

Excusing himself as well, Nick followed Jared, not wasting time as he herded him toward the door.

Jared turned to him, glaring. “What exactly are you doing?”

“Have you been drinking?” Nick leaned in and sniffed him. “You have.”

“Nothing else to do. Everyone else is off being lovey-dovey.”

Yes, like you with Engleton. Obviously Nick couldn’t say that. He had noticed the others hadn’t been with Jared most of the evening. They were supposed to split up and focus on donors at an event such as this, but if it led to Jared ending up with Matt….

Nick’s mouth tightened. “He doesn’t suit you.”

“What do you care who suits me or not?”

“Hush.” Nick glanced around. They were off to the side, away from people, but still, he didn’t need any rumors.

Jared shoved at him. He was definitely tipsy. Probably too many of those damn Old Fashioneds. “Matt suits me fine. He’s sweet and cute. Maybe I’ll go flirt with him.”

Nick caught Jared’s elbow. “You need to mingle with more donors.”

Jared rolled his eyes. “Fine.”

Jesus. “First you need to sober up. Let’s get you some water and go outside.”

“I was going outside when you stopped me.”

Yes, he’d been going outside with Matt.

Well, maybe Nick should have left him alone. Maybe he was butting in where he wasn’t wanted.

Nick leaned onto the bar, hoping to get the bartender’s attention and a bottle of water, but the server was on the other end and busy flirting with a woman who was trying to get a drink discount. Nick hesitated, wondering what to do, but he was rescued by Kathryn, who slipped onto the stool beside him.

“The service on this end is bad.” She raised her eyebrows at Jared, who was clearly trying to escape out the side door. “Were you guys going outside? I could get you something and bring it to you.”

“That would be great,” Nick said at the same time Jared called out he was fine. Nick fished out his wallet with one hand and withdrew a ten-dollar bill. “Would you get a couple bottles of water? You can text me, and I’ll get them.”

“Oh, no, I’ll bring them out. Gives me an excuse to escape the crowd.” She winked at him. “Just don’t tell my boss.”

Jared glared at Nick as he headed for the door. “Are you coming, or what?”

As Kathryn grinned at him, Nick touched her elbow gratefully and let Jared pull him out the door.

There weren’t many people on the balcony. The temperature had settled into something far more tolerable, but the fish flies were starting to come out. Not enough that the outside lights had to be turned off, but enough to make most people think the bay would be better viewed through a window.

Jared had never cared about the fish flies. When they’d been boys, they’d run off together to watch them swarm, laughing at how gross the insects were. They lived for the weeks when the eggs hatched and the bugs were so thick the city had to shut off streetlights or risk traffic accidents because so many bugs were drawn to the glow.

When they’d been a little older, they’d learned fish fly nights were good cover for other activities they didn’t want discovered.

Nick studied Jared’s profile in the early sunset, bay breeze whipping his blond hair until its baby-fine strands glinted like gossamer spider threads. He had a whisper of a goatee, common for him during the winter. It was nearly summer now, though. Nick wondered why Jared hadn’t shaved it off yet. It looked soft, though Nick suspected it wasn’t.

He wanted to find out.

He didn’t want Matt Engleton to.

Jared leaned on the railing and stared out at the water. “So are you going to date one of those women?”

Nick blinked. What brought this on? He glanced around, ensuring they were alone.

This apparently annoyed Jared. “The only other people out here are Mr. and Mrs. Larson, and they’re both so hard of hearing you’d have to shout into their ears for them to eavesdrop. Are you dating one of them or not?”

“Am I dating Mr. and Mrs. Larson?”

“Oh, don’t get cute.”

“Well, I don’t know who else you’re talking about. Who am I supposed to be dating?”

You. I’ve been thinking about dating you.

There was no way he could say that out loud, though. If he hinted he was thinking about such a thing, Jared would….

Well, he didn’t know what Jared would do anymore. That was the problem.

“I’m talking about your damn harem.” Jared gestured vaguely at the building behind them.

“My harem?”

Jared turned around, patience lost. “The women who’ve been hanging on you all night long.”

The women…? What women? Nick frowned at Jared. “You’ve been drinking too much.”

Jared laughed. “You’re kidding me. You’re so gay you can’t tell when a horde of women are hitting on you? All they’ve done all night is try to climb you like you’re a tree, or unwrap you like a Big Mac.”

Oh. He meant the group of people who had gathered around him inside, complimenting him on his accomplishments, who had clearly been attempting to make contact with him to further the interests of their families’ businesses. He supposed several of them had been women.

And of course Cynthia Ryan was a woman. She certainly wasn’t unwrapping him, though. Had anyone done that? What did that mean?

While it pleased him to hear Jared had kept such tabs on him, he didn’t appreciate being outed, even if there didn’t seem to be anyone around. “Keep your voice down.”

With a hmpf, Jared faced the bay.

Nick leaned against the rail beside him, daring to stand close enough to let their elbows and upper arms touch as he spoke softly. “None of them wanted me. They only wanted connections. St. Ann’s has the most growth in Copper Point right now. For decades the hospital has been hanging on by threads, held together by shady backroom deals. Now it might truly move forward. I’m trying to make sure that’s what actually happens.”

“So what you’re saying is you weren’t looking at these women at all, you were fixated on work, and it was me who was acting a fool, sitting alone in a corner getting jealous.”

Nick’s heart quickened at that confession, and he closed his eyes, taking in a deep, slow breath. A fish fly hit the top of his head, tangling briefly in his curls, and another smashed into his chin, but he didn’t care. It only further served to take him back to his youth, to the times they’d stood together like this, daring to touch each other more and more, until one day… one day….

Maybe this time I can get it right….

Maybe, somehow, this time it’ll all work out….

But the moment broke as Jared moved away, and when Nick opened his eyes, he saw Jared frowning at the bay, heard the iron in his voice when he spoke. “I should just date Matt and get over you. Date anyone and get over you.”

Nick’s breath caught.

Get… over me?

He gripped the rail as his thoughts tangled into each other. Jared wasn’t over him? After all this time? But they’d just been a fling. Youthful indiscretion. Nick’s mistake. His greatest lapse of judgment.

I’m the one who can’t get over you. But if you’ve been thinking of me all this time too….

Nick shut his eyes on a long blink, head spinning.

Jared kept talking. “It’d be a lot easier if I didn’t have to see you every damn day. And if you didn’t look like Idris Elba.”

“I look like Idris Elba?”

Jared waved impatiently at him. “You know you’re hot as hell. Don’t fish for more compliments.”

Nick wanted to whip out a net and collect them all. He wanted to scoop up Jared too.

All this time… have you really thought about me, all this time?

He lifted his hand, tried to speak.

No words came.

The door opened, and Kathryn appeared with a smile and two bottles of water. Jared pushed off the railing, weary and sad. “I’m going inside with Kathryn. Please leave me alone for the rest of the night.”

Nick didn’t want to let Jared go. He wanted to take him into his arms and confess everything, to tell him how he felt, how he’d always felt. Except he didn’t know what came after that confession.

I can’t change everything. Not now.

He watched Jared walking away and felt his heart tug.

I can’t change, but I want to.

IT TOOK everything in Jared to make a somewhat dignified exit, so he couldn’t offer any explanations to Kathryn as they left. Besides, given the way Rebecca had shadowed him all night, he was pretty sure the Lambert-Diazes were already in the know when it came to how he felt about Nick.