“She bringing the kids?”
I shake my head. “Just her.”
His shoulders droop. “Damn. Was hoping seeing the kids would scare Yayoi off the baby train.”
“Hate to break it to you, but my niece and nephew are adorable. Seeing them would only make her want a million kids.”
He sighs and stirs his fork—because he would never use chopsticks—through the scant grains of rice still in his bowl.
I nudge his shoulder. “What’s up, big guy?”
He leans closer, the better to secret our conversation from the two CRNAs across from us. “I’m not sure I’m ready.”
“Are you everreadyfor something like that? Even the people who think they’re ready stare at the new baby in their arms and think,What the fuck have I gotten myself into?”
He laughs and the skin crinkles around his eyes. He’s got pretty blue ones, and I can see why Yayoi hopes their kids have them. “It’s just a lot of responsibility, bringing new life into the world. Half the time, I still feel like a kid myself.”
“We’re all pretending, Geoff. Haven’t you realized that? We all just bumble through life and hope we don’t fall down too many times along the way. I don’t have an answer to your doubts, but I’ll tell you this. You’re great, and any kids you have will be lucky to call you Dad.”
His cheeks burn red, and he mutters an awkward thanks before turning to face me fully. “What about you, girl? You gonna be alone forever? If I have to dive into things that scare me, why don’t you?”
“I’m—I’m not scared.” My spine stiffens, and I think my face contorts into an expression I want to be breezy, but must come off as psychotic because he snorts and leans away from me.
“Oooookay,” he says. “You definitely just got all weirdabout it, so let’s talk about something else. Did Asher tell you why he never called back Yayoi’s cousin?”
I choke on the bite of chicken I shoved into my mouth. “God, you’re gossipy today.”
“Blame Yayoi. She thought they’d be perfect together and won’t stop wondering about what happened. I’m tired of talking about it, and Asher won’t spill. Give me anything to tell Yayoi, and I’ll owe you.”
I shrug. “Asher just said she wasn’t into him.”
Geoff rolls his eyes. “Yes, she was. Asher’s never had a problem getting ladies interested.”
Oh, I’m well aware of that. He leaves swooning fangirls wherever he goes. Hot, single doctor. The holy grail.
His words from the other night replay through my head.The only part they ever want to give me is their bodies.Does he really believe that? If Asher wanted a woman—reallywanted her—I can’t fathom how he couldn’t have her. I wasso surehe was still playing the field. What other reason could he have for being single when he doesn’t want to be? It’s baffling.
For two solid seconds, the picture of him bound to some other woman, sharing his life with her, burns like an acid wash in my brain. But then I shake myself with an inward laugh. This isAsher.
“So do you and Yayoi just sit around and gossip like old women?” I whisper.
He shrugs. “Sometimes.”
“Who ate my crab rangoon?”
My head snaps toward Cassie, holding up the single remaining puff. She’s staring at the others in the room, gaze landing on each suspect. Heat saturates my face, and I turn my entire body toward Geoff, who’s giggling like a little girl, tears gathering in his dumb blue eyes.
“I didn’t know it was hers,” I hiss. “Don’t you dare say a thing.”
“I won’t.” He leans closer and whispers, “But she’s eyeing you.”
My phone rings again.Thank goodness.
“Hello?”
“Doctor Mattox, it’s Jackie in OB. We need an epidural in room seven. She’s six centimeters and breathing hard.”
“All right, I’m on my way.” Ending the call, I glance at Geoff and grin. “Saved by OB call. Who’d have thought? Meet you in the OR.”
