“Really?”
“Yeah.”
I breathed out a relieved sigh, reassured that, for once, my instincts hadn’t steered me wrong this time. Glancing out at Atlas, I found his gaze already locked on me. That simple eye contact made my stomach flip, even from twenty yards away.
“See?” she said.
Before I could respond, someone shouted Laurel’s name from behind us. I turned around, finding Cami and several other kids Laurel had become friendly with a few rows up.
With a wave, Cami said, “Hi, Sutton! Can I steal your daughter?”
“Steal away.” I turned back in my seat and wrapped my arm around Laurel’s neck. Tugging her close, I pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Thank you, Lolo. Now, go have fun. Holly will be here soon, and Quinn’s going to stop by. Text me when you want to grab your bag for your sleepover.”
“All right. I’ll let you know when we’re gonna leave.”
“Stay sexy?—”
“—and don’t get murdered,” she finished before heading toward her friends.
Laurel had been gone for less than a minute when someone called my name.
“Sutton, hey!”
I glanced over to find a very pregnant Addison Lockhart—formerly Addison McKenzie—striding my way with Quinn by her side. The two of them were sisters-in-law, and though Addison was the youngest, far tiniest—even with that basketball bump—and only girl in the McKenzie family, it was obvious this little force of nature was the boss of the whole crew.
“Hey, Addison.” I smiled at her. “How are you?”
“Good.” She sat down on my right while Quinn took the spot to my left. “I’d be even better if you told me you ripped up that six-month contract and decided to stayforever. It’s my literal dream to have an all-female health clinic. You can’t give me that for a little while and then take it away! After dealing with male incompetence for the majority of my life, I’m over it.”
“Real subtle, Addison,” Quinn said, and I could only laugh.
Addison shrugged. “Subtlety has no place in my life and definitely not when it comes to this.”
“All I’m saying is, I’ve been going with the cool and calm method,” Quinn said.
“Is it working?” she asked.
Quinn eyed me, pursing her lips to the side. “Too early to tell.”
Addison turned toward me, her eyes bright. “How about I?—”
“Addie!” Chase, Addison’s husband, yelled from a few spots down the row. “Quit harassing the new nurse.”
“But I need to get Sutton focused on the prize,” Addison called back, gesturing to me.
I snorted at her deadly serious tone as Quinn breathed out a laugh beside me.
Her husband just shook his head and pointed to his lap. “What you need to do is get your cute ass over here before I eat the mini donuts I bought for you.”
Huffing, Addison stomped her foot, and I smothered a laugh behind my hand. “That sneaky bastard knows all my weaknesses.”
“The good ones always do,” Quinn said.
“Work on her for me. I’m counting on you,” Addison said to Quinn before heading over to Chase, who pulled her straight into his lap.
I turned back to Quinn with one brow raised. “Is this where you beg me to stay?”
“If I thought it would have any effect on you? Definitely. We both know you make decisions on your own timetable. But just so we’re clear, Iabsolutelywant you to stay.”
