Page 21 of Pretty Desperate (Pine Village #6)

KAMERON

“ G lad you had some time to join me,” Gabe says when he slides into the booth across from me.

“You’re the one who’s incredibly busy, Dr. Rhodes,” I tease. I’ve never faulted my friend for his career choice. In fact, I admire his dedication to healthcare and the community. He’s a great doctor, and I’m honored to call him my friend.

“Blair took the afternoon off to take Wrenlee to the pediatrician for a checkup, so our patient load isn’t too heavy,” he informs me.

“You don’t go?”

“I did for the first couple, but Blair told me I asked too many questions,” he replies with a snort.

I can’t help but chuckle. “Why doesn’t that surprise me?”

“I just wanted to make sure my daughter was being checked out properly.”

“And I’m sure it has nothing to do with you being a doctor yourself.”

He pins me with a look. “Blair’s a doctor too—a pediatrician at that—and told me I stressed out the doc.”

I can’t help but laugh a little harder than before.

“Stop it, it’s not funny. The one we chose is a young doc, only thirty-one. I just wanted to make sure she was overseeing every aspect of my daughter’s medical needs.”

“And questioning her every move?” I deduce, reading between the lines.

“It’s fine,” he waves off the comment. “Blair does the doctor thing, and I get to do the bath thing.”

“Yeah?” I ask, smiling at how excited my friend seems just by mentioning giving his baby a bath.

“Yep. Way better anyway. There’re no shots at bathtime,” he states with a grin.

“True.”

“Hey, guys. Good to see you both,” Ellie greets when she reaches our table. “What can I get you?”

“Ice water for me,” Gabe answers.

“Same.”

She nods. “Do you know what you want to eat?”

“I’ll have the Cobb salad with Italian dressing,” I request.

“You know what, I’ll do the same, but with ranch.”

“Coming right up,” she replies cheerfully before stepping away to retrieve our drinks.

“So, you’re the talk of the town,” Gabe announces.

I snort in disgust. “When am I not?”

“Stop it. The only time I ever hear someone say your name is when they’re referring to how amazing their meal was at your restaurant.”

I do admit I like to hear that. I’m about to say more, but Ellie returns with two glasses of water. “Salads will be up in a few.”

“Thanks, Ellie,” I reply, taking a drink of my water.

“Anyway, you and Jillian are all they’re talking about.” Gabe just confirms exactly what I expected to hear.

“Don’t people have anything better to do than concern themselves in others’ lives?” I ask, already knowing the answer to that too.

He laughs. “Sure. Right. It’s Pine Village, my friend.”

I give my eyes a playful roll. “I know, but there’s nothing for them to gossip about.”

He leans forward a bit. “How about the fact you’ve barely dated since you moved home about ten years ago?”

“I’ve been busy,” I retort.

“I know, and I get that. On a personal note, I’m happy for you.”

I fidget in my seat, starting to feel a little hot around the collar. “Thanks,” I mumble.

“Seriously, not only am I happy you’re finally dating, but everyone likes Jillian.”

I think back to having her naked in my bed last night, to seeing her come. It was a pretty amazing night; one I wouldn’t mind repeating again soon.

Of course, maybe without the condom mishap.

The second time we had sex was fine, no breakage in the protective barrier, but I still went out and purchased a brand-new box before I met Gabe here at the diner.

Honestly, I’m not sure when I purchased the ones in my drawer, but if I had to guess it was a while ago.

How embarrassing is that?

“We’re taking things slow,” I tell him, despite the fact last night was anything but slow.

In fact, it’s been a little more than a week since we entered this weird agreement we share, and I’ve never slept with someone so fast. Not that I have a set number of dates to go on before we wind up in bed, but I’ve never felt this sort of connection before.

Ever.

“That’s all right,” he confirms, taking a drink. “But don’t take it too slow. You’re forty,” he states with a smirk.

“My lower back reminds me every single morning when I get up.” I chuckle and shake my head. It was like flipping a switch when I turned forty. Everything started to ache and shutdown. That’s why I make sure to stay moving, running a couple times a week, as well as doing some weight training.

“Don’t I know it. Being a first-time dad at forty is rough,” he confesses. “But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. In fact, I think we’ll be adding to our family sooner rather than later.”

“Yeah?” I ask, doing the math quick and realizing Wrenlee’s already about six months old.

He shrugs. “We’re not expecting— yet —but we’re not preventing.”

“Good for you. You’re a great dad,” I tell my oldest friend.

Even though we lost touch for a while when we were both incredibly busy with our lives—he was in med school and I had finished culinary school and was working at a fast-paced restaurant in Chicago—we reconnected the moment I returned back home a decade ago.

Of course, a lot can happen in about ten years, and for me, it did.

He doesn’t know about my biggest secret, the one I haven’t told a single soul in Pine Village.

Not because I didn’t want to, but simply for the fact it’s no one’s business.

It happened a long time ago, and I hate dredging up the past.

“Thanks,” he replies with a sheepish grin. “How about you? Any plans for fatherhood?”

I open my mouth to reply, but Ellie returns with our food. “Here you guys go. Do you need anything else?”

“Nope, I think we’re good, El,” Gabe replies, unrolling his napkin and pulling out his fork. “Thank you.”

“You’re both welcome. I’ll check on you shortly.” And with that, she’s gone, moving down the line to help other customers.

He stabs a bite of his salad with his fork, but before he eats it, he adds, “You’d make a great dad too.”

I shift in my seat, hating this conversation. Distracting myself by adding dressing to my salad, I reply, “I don’t think so. I’m too old.”

His eyebrows arch. “You’re the same age as me.”

I shrug. “Yeah, but you’ve already got a wife. That helps,” I add with a chuckle.

“True, but that doesn’t mean it’s out of the question. Do you remember Jack Singleton? He and his wife just had a baby, and he’s pushing fifty.”

Shaking my head, I reply, “First off, his second wife is almost twenty years younger than he is. And can you imagine having a baby at fifty?”

Gabe shrugs and takes another bite. “It wouldn’t be ideal, but I wouldn’t be heartbroken if it happened. I love Wrenlee, and I’d take a dozen more just like her.”

My heart is happy for my friend. He finally found his forever love, and even though they’re getting a slightly later start, they’re wildly compatible from what I’ve seen.

They’re both doctors, though Gabe is a general practitioner and Blair a pediatrician, and they get along well. They fit, and I’m glad he has Blair.

“I hear ya,” I reply, shoveling more salad into my mouth. The last thing I want to do is think about babies. I had come to terms with the fact I was probably never going to be a father, and I’m okay with it, but this touchy subject is full of many emotions, including regret.

Coulda, shoulda, woulda.

“Anyway, back to you and Jillian. Blair was wondering if you two wanted to join us for dinner one night. Talk it over with Jillian and let one of us know.”

I nod, feeling a bit excited to spend a little more time with her in the company of my friends. “Yeah, I can talk to her, but it might have to be a weeknight.”

“That’s fine. I already mentioned that to Blair,” he says, attacking his salad like he hasn’t eaten all day. “Mondays and Tuesdays are best for you, right?”

“Yeah, but I can make Sundays work too. Jilly is off, and I’ll just work the lunch shift and have Marlin work dinner.” I glance up and he’s smiling at me. “What?”

“You called her Jilly. That’s cute.”

I roll my eyes, wanting to punch myself in the face for the slip of the tongue. Jilly is the nickname I only use in private, because it’s more personal. Intimate.

“Anyway, moving on. There’s something else I wanted to tell you, but you have to keep it close to your vest.”

Gabe smirks. “I’m not wearing a vest.”

I sigh, waiting on him to stop being an ass. “Never mind, I’m not going to tell you.”

He barks out a laugh. “You’re too easy to get worked up. Tell me.”

I wait a few seconds, drawing out the suspense. I want him to wonder if I’m going to tell him or not. Of course I am, since he’s my closest friend, but I don’t want him to know that. “I got a deal for the building next to mine.”

His eyes widen and a huge smile breaks out across his face. “Yeah? That’s frickin’ amazing, man. Congratulations.”

“Frickin’?” I ask, teasing.

“Trying not to say it now that I have Wren. She hangs on my every word, and the last thing I want is her first word to be fuck.”

I snort a laugh. “Would serve you right.”

His mouth falls open. “What? I was an angel. My sister was the hellion,” he says, referring to his younger sister, Hallie, who is married to another friend, Logan. “But in all seriousness, congratulations. You’ve wanted to expand next door for years. You’ve earned this.”

My stomach drops to my shoes. I might have earned it in everyone’s eyes, but I can’t help but feel a ball of dread in the pit of my stomach, thanks to the lie.

I can’t deny the hard work and dedication it took to get to this point, but I also can’t ignore the one big, fabricated detail that pushed the deal over the edge.

“Thanks,” I mutter, picking at the rest of my salad. “Jillian’s going to make the baked goods for me. I’ve already contacted my supplier, and the contract will terminate at the end of the month.”

“That’s good news for Jillian. I’m sure she’ll appreciate the extra exposure.”