“He didn’t drag me anywhere,” Willa cut in smoothly. “I came to Dalmore all on my own. And for the record, he was about a minute away from becoming my fiancé.”
I nearly choked.
But damn if that smirk didn’t kill me.
Hope blinked a few times, clearly trying to reset her brain.
“Well… if he’s yourfiancé…” She raised an eyebrow. “I suppose he can stay.”
Not gonna lie.
Watching Hope lose her footing a little?
Kind of satisfying.
But the truth? The absolute, undeniable truth?
I was falling forthis girl.
While Hope checked Willa’s pupils, I watched her fumble with the blood pressure cuff like it was her first day on the job.
She picked it up. Dropped it. Picked it up again.
Lost it under a pile of folders on the desk.
By the third time, I was starting to feel… weirdly relaxed.
Like maybe I wasn’t the only one knocked sideways tonight.
She must’ve felt me grinning behind her, because she didn’t even look up when she said:
“McKenzie’s yours this weekend. I trust you remember you need to be here by nine sharp tomorrow.”
Ice. She could’ve been carved out of glacier rock.
Like I needed reminding. Like I hadn’t shown upevery single Fridaysince the breakup.
Never missed a damn one.
“Got it, boss,” I said, cheerfully.
Hope glanced over her shoulder with the kind of look that could sterilize a man.
Then turned back to Willa.
“Well, everything seems fine. But it’s good you came in.”
Willa grinned. “Told my darling here I was totally fine. But he justlovesto worry.”
If Hope weren’t mid-exam, I might’ve kissed Willa right there.
Instead, I just chuckled under my breath and helped her slip her arm back into her jacket.
Hope stood, peeled off her gloves, and added—deadpan:
“I’ve wrapped the ankle with a support bandage. So it might beadvisableto avoid, well… any vigorous activity tonight.”
Willa saluted. “Yes, ma’am. Orders understood.”
