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I watch her run down the hall and into her bedroom before I reach for my cell in my back pocket. The line rings four times before the practice’s receptionist, Kathy, picks up.

“Dr. Moore’s office, how can I help?”

“Hi, this is Shelby. Can I speak to Dr. Moore, please?”

“He’s with a patient.”

I frown at her sharp tone.

“Can you ask him to call me back when he’s free, please?”

“This isn’t a social club. This is a doctor’s office. If you need to see the doctor, you need to make an appointment like everyone else.”

I blink at her harsh response. What crawled up her ass?Fine.

“And what time is available today?”

“Other than the last slot of the day at five, he’s all booked up.”

“Sounds perfect. Five it is.” I smirk.

“And what should I put as your issue?”

“A pain in the ass,” I mutter dryly.

All sound from the other end of the line ceases, before a clipped, “We’ll see you at five,” sounds.

What is wrong with people today?

I’m sure any mention of Riley would have gotten me through to Leonard, but I feel like being petty. Besides, he’d only worry about Riley for the rest of the day. We’ll have a little girls’ day and go surprise him with an early finish by being his last appointment.

Speaking of, I watch as Riley drags a heavy-looking backpack down the carpeted hall.

“Muffin, what did you pack?” I laugh.

A cheeky grin is her only answer.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Leonard

Grumbling, I move the mouse on my desktop and click on my calendar. Kathy added an appointment to the end of the day, something she knows I hate, but when someone needs me, they need me.

Hopefully, it’s something simple, and I can be home in the next thirty minutes. I’ve been anxious since leaving Riley with Sarah this morning. I glance at my phone lying next to my computer, but there’s still no update on my daughter and her day so far.

The girl is not my favorite babysitter, but with my regular nanny moving away to be closer to her grandchildren, I didn’t have many options. Besides, I’ve used Sarah before, and it worked out fine. Did she clean up after their messy play? No. Did she give me updates throughout the day? Also no. But beggars can’t be choosers, and everyone can’t be Mrs. Mears.

Hopefully, she and her son drive each other mad, and the older lady rushes back to town by New Year’s.

I chuckle at the thought and turn back to work.

“Shelby,” I whisper, confused. Why is my woman making another appointment? Not that I mind seeing her twice in one day. Clicking on the notes, I read the comment.Pain in the rear.

Fuck!I hurt her!Fuck, fuck, fuck!

I should have been gentler for her first time. I didn’t stretch her out. I’d wanted her to feel it in the moment, but I didn’t want her injured. She’d seemed fine earlier.

The door to my office starts to open, and I stand to greet her, to reassure her that whatever the issue is, I’ll sort it. But the words die when a giggle floats in.