“Yeah…” I grin as a fizzy sensation sweeps through me. “I’ll have that.”
Warmth envelops me with the sensation of his eyes meeting mine from across the table. Every nerve ending sparks to life between our tethered gazes. It reassures me that we’re still bonded, even with the weirdness of the last twenty minutes.
“Larsen! Marlowe!” A tall man with a rich baritone approaches our table.
“Good god, who is that?” Kayla leans in, her whisper breathy. “He’s the most attractive man I’ve ever seen.”
“Deridder,” Anker says, rising and doing some complicated handshake, fist-bump, slapping-hug greeting.
“It’s Ray Deridder from the hospital,” Garrett says, providing verbal confirmation.
Deridder works at Sacred Heart with Anker and Garrett. I met him in the ED after Anker’s accident. Kayla’s reaction isn’t unique. That day, the ED nurses teased that Dr. McSteamy was treating Dr. McDreamy as Ray took care of my brother. Thanks to the charge nurse, I learned they refer to Garrett as McBroody.
“Ray is, perhaps, the least attractive name for a man who may have just impregnated me with one look.”
“He’ll hear you,” I mutter, elbowing her.
“God, I hope so.” Kayla fans herself with her hand. “I may be rethinking my no hookups rule.”
I snort.
“Deridder, you remember my sister Jensen, and this is Catherine and Kayla,” Anker says.
“Nice to meet you.” He juts his chin towards the table. “Jensen, it’s lovely seeing you again.”
“Nice to see you again, Ray.” The corners of my lips tug up.
“Were you at the race?” Ray asks.
“Garrett and Jensen ran. We’re celebrating. It’s her first 10K, and she killed it.” Anker fist pumps the air.
“Congrats! It was Liana’s first race, so we’re doing the same.”
“Liana?” I tilt my head.
“My daughter. She’s five and ran the kids’ 1K fun run.” He looks over and waves. “Liana, come here, sweetie.”
“Daddy!” Liana squeals, running into his arms.
He hoists her up. “Liana, meet Daddy’s friends.”
He introduces each of us to her. Her bright smile is audible in each greeting. She reminds me so much of Anker as a child—sunshine in motion.
“This is Jensen.” He motions to me.
“You’re pretty,” Liana says in a giggly lilt.
A nervous laugh falls out of me. “You’re so sweet.”
My current state isn’t my cutest. I’ve nixed the cap, since we’re under an umbrella, and my hair is swept up in a messy bun with wild tendrils falling out. We’d come straight here from the race, so I’m still in yoga pants, T-shirt, and a zip up hoodie to protect from the cool early morning air. If Liana thinks this is pretty, I need a daily dose of her to boost my self-confidence before I leave the house.
“Sorry.” Liana buries her face into her dad’s neck. “I forgot to not say my inside words out loud again.”
“It’s okay, sweetie.”
“Inside words?” I tilt my head.
“Liana has a habit of saying everything she thinks, so we’ve been working on that.” He chuckles.
