The guilt was setting in. I told Maya absolutely everything. So why was I having a hard time telling her about this? She never judged me for any of my decisions, she never gave me shit for sleeping with a man. Gavin just felt different from anyone I’d been with in the past. Mostly because he was Jordan’s brother, and we’d had a one-night stand. And things between Jordan and Maya had finally reached a good place after a very rocky start, and I didn’t want to make anything awkward by creating weird or unnecessary drama.
So, for now, I was keeping this to myself, despite there being a chance that Gavin could tell Jordan, and Jordan could then tell Maya. But I had a feeling Gavin wouldn’t do that. He just didn’t seem like the kind of guy who kissed and told everyone about it.
I crossed my legs, pulling down the top of my lime-green scrubs. “You know, the day shift isn’t any safer than the night shift. Someone could steal me at any hour, regardless of it being light or dark outside.”
“Let’s not put those thoughts into the universe. Nothing—and I mean nothing—can happen to my best friend during the day or at night.”
“Aw, I love you, too, but really, don’t worry, no one would want to take me. I’m far too spicy.” I winked at her and exited out of the patient file I’d been looking at before she came over and reclined into the chair. “How was last night and this morning? Did Jordan do anything extra dreamy that I need to be jealous of?”
“That man, Em.” She fanned her face, which instantly flushed the moment I mentioned him. “Seriously, things are great. But he’s so slammed, him and Gavin are working on all the things, and they really have their hands full. Gavin called him at least twice before dinner, and that’s after being at work together all day.”
I’d heard Gavin’s name come out of her mouth many times. But this time set off every alarm.
I crossed my arms over my chest. “Seems, from what you’ve told me, they’re involved in so much.”
“There’s just many facets of their business, and the two of them run the show even though their dad’s still technically present in the company.”
I set my elbows on the desk. “Does that mean by the end of the day, they can’t stand each other? Or are they just as close outside of work as they are inside of work?”
She ran her finger over her eyelashes, her brown eyes still as big as ever, even without any mascara on. “They’re super close. Like us, but brothers. And you know Jordan is obsessed with Ben, you saw that when we went ice-skating.”
Everything changed when she spoke about Jordan—her tone, her expression, the hearts that appeared in her eyes.
I was so incredibly happy for my best friend. She deserved this, and Jordan was perfect for her.
So I had to say, “And now you know he’s going to be the best dad,” because I knew it would make her smile.
She waved the air. “My brain can’t even go there. Not yet, at least.”
I snorted. “Babe, it’s already gone there. Over and over and over again.”
She rolled her eyes at me, but she knew I was right.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a kid as cute as Ben,” I added.
“I know! And those big bright-blue eyes of his ... I die.”
I wanted to ask about Ben’s mom, but was that weird? Was I just sleep deprived and too far into my own head, or was that a completely normal question to ask my bestie?
I drew in a deep breath. “I meant to ask you this after we went skating and I forgot ... is Ben’s mom in the picture? Ben never mentioned her—I just wasn’t sure what the situation is.”
She tilted her head, a few seconds of silence passing. “You know, that’s a good question. Honestly, I don’t know. I haven’t asked. But it seems like Ben is with Gavin whenever Jordan is talking to him on the phone, at least when Gavin is home and not at work. So whatever the situation is, Gavin has him most, if not all, of the time.”
That was a question I’d wanted to inquire about last night, I just didn’t want to push Gavin for information, considering it was really none of my business. He’d made it clear that he was single, and that was all that mattered.
“Whatever the case is, Ben’s incredible, and that means he’s had the best parenting.”
“Agreed.” She checked her watch. “I have to go check on Bettie.” She held out her hand. “Come with me.”
Gavin’s grandmother. Just another reminder of him.
“I would love to.” I got up from the desk and looped arms with her, and we entered the room at the end of the hall. “Bettie, my darling, your favorite girls are here,” I announced from the doorway.
“Now that’s one way to make my morning.” She set down her book of crossword puzzles. “How are my gals doing?”
Maya and I had completely fallen for this eighty-four-year-old woman. I wasn’t bullshitting Gavin when I told him we wanted to take her out. That was how much we enjoyed spending time with her.
“We came in to ask you that question.” Maya stood near the head of Bettie’s bed, smiling at her. “How’s the knee feeling?”
