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“Oh, please. You have months to go,” I snipped. “And Maria is set to start on Monday. So you need to look and act sharp.”

“Ha. You find something comfortable for me to wear.”

I was thankful Maria had accepted the job. While the pay wasn’t what she was used to, I’d also offered my house for her to stay in for an undisclosed period of time. She’d been thrilled at my offer. At least Jessica would also have a lovely room of her own when she came to visit and spend time with her aunt.

“So, where is Mr. Hottie?” she asked as she grabbed her purse from her locker in the tiny employee lounge.

“He’ll be here.”

“You’ve been working two days a week for over a month and I’ve yet to see this mysterious man. I’m beginning to think he doesn’t exist.” She’d teased me relentlessly since the first day I’d popped back into town. Since then, I’d been coming down to work at my clinic on and off, only once spending the night in my little house.

It wasn’t about Alejandro forbidding me to do so, but about two important factors. One was the fact he’d insisted I have an entourage of soldiers at all times and I refused to have them sleeping on my porch. The other was that I missed him too much and the perfectly normal nuclear family we’d created.

“Trust me. He exists. And do you know how I can tell?”

She gave me a skeptical look. “I’ll bite. How?”

“Because I’m still sore from our sinful activities last night.”

“Oh, God. Don’t you do that. No fair. Jack and I haven’t had sex in four weeks. Not since I threw up on him the one time during the middle of our nookie play.”

I almost choked. “I do not want to know any other details, girl.”

“Then don’t tell me about your hot sex life.”

“Fine. I won’t. But it’s sizzling hot.”

“Bitch.” She laughed and we both headed to the door. I flipped off lights along the way, taking a minute while Zoe opened the door. I’d missed being here, but I couldn’t imagine my life without my family.

“Um, Dr. Banderas. I think you have a new patient. Actually, three of them.”

“What? Now? Oh, no.” I moved to the door, grumbling as I did. Alejandro had promised to come and if he did and I had to work, he’d be pissed. What was I saying? I’d be pissed. Yes, I’d taken an oath to help people and would do so until my dying breath, but…

“Mommy!” Gabriel exclaimed as he raced toward me. I barely had time to rush down the stairs before he threw his arms around my legs.

“You just saw me a few hours ago,” I told him, bending down to kiss the top of his head.

“Too long, Mommy.”

I lifted my head, grinning at the magnificent piece of manhood who stood against the side of his big four-wheel-drive Dodge Ram. With sunglasses on and sporting a festive shirt that I never in a million years would think he would wear, I swooned as if meeting him for the first time.

“Now, that is one hot man. If you don’t want him, I’ll kick Jack aside,” Zoe breathed. “Wowzer.”

“Not a chance.” I noticed Jessica, and that the little girl was still shy around me. Maria had continued staying with us, which had allowed Alejandro and me time to continue getting to know each other. I’d cried the first time I’d heard Jessica calling him Daddy. It had seemed so natural, so beautiful. Up to this point, she’d said my name only a couple of times.

I hadn’t pushed her. Neither had Alejandro. I only hoped the little girl would be happy.

Alejandro bent down, whispering in Jessica’s ear. She nodded twice, which prompted Alejandro to retrieve something from the back of the truck. From where we stood, I couldn’t tell what they were doing.

“Oh, my God. Is that the cutest thing in the world?” Zoe giggled when she saw Jessica striding forward with a huge bouquet of roses in her arms.

The little girl all but disappeared behind them. I walked a few steps closer.

“What are these for?” I asked, taking the beautiful flowers from her arms.

Jessica looked relieved. She made a face and I could tell she was trying to remember what had been told to her. “Daddy said it was your nan-iversary. Thwee months.” She held up three fingers, her face beaming from remembering.

“You win the prize for the most amazing family,” Zoe whispered. “Seriously, if you ever need to dump that man…” She allowed her voice to trail off, walking right up to Alejandro and introducing herself.