There was something to look forward to today. Jake Jr. was practically vibrating with energy, wearing his jersey over a long-sleeve tee, helmet tucked under his arm like he was headed to the NFL. “Did you see Coach’s text? He said I’m starting today, Mom!”
Kylee grinned as she tightened his chin strap. “You better believe I saw it. And I’m going to be the loudest mom in the stands.”
He gave her a bashful smile, cheeks flushed with pride. “Do you think…? Dad’s really coming?”
She paused, brushing a hand through his hair. “I think he knows how much this means to you.”
Jake Jr. nodded. “Okay.” But his voice held a guarded hope the kind that had been let down too many times before.
Meanwhile at the clinic Jake adjusted the cuffs of his crisp white coat as he walked down the gleaming hallway of Waterman Aesthetic Surgery. Everything about the space reflected his taste: sleek, modern, controlled. The scent of antiseptic mixed with a trace of lavender diffuser oil is clinical, but almost calming.
At the front desk, Rachel looked up from her screen and smiled brightly. Her glossy lips curved, and she uncrossed her legs slowly as she stood, smoothing her pencil skirt.
“Morning, Dr. W,” she said, voice light and sugared. “You’re looking very well-rested.”
He gave her a brief glance, then returned his focus to the patient list on the tablet. “Morning, Rachel. What’s the schedule?”
“You’ve got Mrs. Enfield’s consult at nine, two Botox refreshers before lunch, and Dr. Halperin’s post-op at eleven,” she said, leaning a little closer to point at the screen closer than she needed to. “Then after that, you’re all mine. Kidding. Sort of.”
Jake didn’t take the bait. Not directly. But his mouth twitched the kind of almost-smile that didn’t mean no.
“Clear the rest of the afternoon,” he said.
Rachel blinked. “Wait, seriously?”
“I need to reschedule everything after eleven. Push the cosmetic consults to Monday. We’ll block the OR room Tuesday for anyone surgical.”
Her head tilted, ponytail swaying. “Hmm… canceling a full afternoon on a Friday? You must have a hot date.” He looked at her evenly. “It’s my son’s game. He’s starting today.”
Rachel softened, but didn’t let it go completely. “Well… that’s sweet. Bet he’s got your game face. “She paused, eyes raking over him like she didn’t care if he noticed.“I mean, you do walk around here like you own the world. That surgeon's confidence? Definitely a thing.”
He didn’t respond, but his jaw flexed slightly as he turned to head down the hall.
“Text me if anything changes,” he said over his shoulder.
Rachel watched him walk away, biting her lip. She didn’t call after him. Just sat down slowly, still smiling, fingers tapping idly on the edge of the desk.
“Dr. W never breaks character,” she thought. “But give it time.”
Jake walked away without looking back, but Rachel’s voice lingered in his ears like perfume that clung to the air a little too long. She had a way of pushing limits just enough to see if he’d push back.
So far, he hasn't.
He told himself it was harmless, just harmless flirting. That’s all it was. A twenty-one-year-old with a crush and a tight skirt and too much lip gloss. She liked the way he moved, the way he took control of a room. That wasn’t new. He’d spent his whole career being admired.
The attention felt good. Especially after the year he had just crawled through. Diapers, tantrums, a wife who barely looked at him without exhaustion behind her eyes. He understood it. He really did. She gave everything to the kids, held their world together with both hands, and he loved her for it.
But sometimes it was like she disappeared inside the role.
At the clinic, he felt sharp again. Important. Seen. Rachel made sure of that.Still, he wasn’t stupid. He wasn’t reckless. He’d kept his distance.
Mostly….
And yet, the way she’d said“Then you’re all mine”stuck in his head longer than it should have.
He exhaled through his nose, jaw tight as he said to himself “Focus dumb ass!”
This afternoon was for Jake Jr. He needed to show up not just for his son, but for Kylee, too. She’d been different lately. Quieter. But last night felt like a shift. Like she was still in there, still wanting him. He wasn’t going to screw this up.
