“That better not leave a mark.” Anker rubs at his upper arm.
I raise my hand and pat his cheek.” Don’t worry, you’re still pretty. Single moms, divorcees, and married women looking to step out will still buy you espresso martinis during ladies’ night once you emerge from couchland and return to the world of functional adult humans.”
Swatting me away, he groans, “Shouldn’t you be out of your bratty younger sister phase at twenty-nine?”
“I wouldn’t have to act like a brat if you weren’t acting like a buttheaded older brother,” I coo in a saccharin-sweet voice.
“While you two reenact your childhood, let me grab my food and drinks.” With a head shake, Garrett places Ditka on the large, cushy chair in the corner. “Soda? Wine? Beer?”
“Since you’re driving me home, I’ll take a glass of red.”
“Two, please! There’s a bottle in the fridge, just bring it.” Anker shouts as Garrett strides away.
“You’re on pain pills!”
“We wouldn’t want you to end up in your own version ofLess Than Zero,” I quip.
“Haven’t taken any in a week, so I can booze up…Mom.Dad.” A thin coat of annoyance laces Anker’s retort.
“Jensen, I’m also getting you a new fork, so you have no excuse tonoteat the salad you won’t end up eating.”
“Okay,daddy,” I say saucily.
Anker makes a disgusted noise. “Oh god, never call Garrett that.”
I wrinkle my nose. “Yeah… Agreed. I hear it.” I dip a garlic knot in marinara, ignoring the clench low in my abdomen at the idea of me calling Garrettdaddy. “Speaking of the land of thefunctional adult human, how are you feeling about returning to work on Monday?”
After a few weeks off, between the time he’d originally taken for New York and with his initial recovery, Anker is heading back to work on Monday. He’s still in a boot and using crutches to get around, but the physical therapist issued him this scooter-like contraption he’ll use to move about the hospital. Not only is this the longest period of time my brother has stayed homebound, but it is also the most inactive he’s ever been. Even after he had COVID two years ago, he forced himself—way before it was appropriate—to at least walk on the treadmill in his guest room.
He shrugs. “It’s fine.”
“I bet the nurses you shamelessly flirt with will be happy to see you.” I bump his side with mine, hoping to draw out a little more excitement than this.
Ever since we were kids, Anker’s been the sun that everyone orbits around. As outgoing as I can be, I’m awkward in group settings. Give me one-on-one interactions. Those are the easiest to navigate. It’s hard to imagine that at one time, Anker had been shy and awkward as a little boy.
“I’m sure they’ve survived.” Anker forks up some salad.
“I don’t know. They’ve only had Garrett for two weeks. They must be utterly starved for proper hot doctor interaction. You know one with the ability to not brood but have flirty banter.” I toss a cheeky expression towards where I hear Garrett shuffle in from the kitchen.
“You do realize that Garrett and I aren’t the only doctors who work at the hospital, right?” he snarks.
“Yes, but how many of them are hot?” My self-assured response is smug.
“Are you calling Garrett hot?”
“More importantly, did you just call your brother hot?” Garrett teases, placing the bottle of wine and some glasses on the coffee table in front of us.
“No…” Realization creases my brow. “Not…intentionally.”
“Don’t know if I like you sitting so close to me after calling me hot.” Anker scoots away.
“Shut up.” I tap my bare foot against his uninjured calf.
“So, you’re not denying our mutual hotness,” he purrs with what I imagine is a waggle of his eyebrows.
“Barf,” I make a gagging noise. “It’s not about looks. It’s about your constant need to flirt with everyone. We know Garrett is more the sit broody in the corner type.”
My gaze shifts to where Garrett now sits in a large leather chair in the corner. Though he’s not exactly broody at this moment. The low lighting in the room paints him in shadows, but a lightness wafts off him.
