Page 91 of Family Bonds- Gabriela & Luca

Or maybe she was getting used to having that luxury on the island most times.

“It seems like we are busier than normal,” Cassie said. “Or there are so many out sick. Last week they were able to steal a nurse practitioner away from another practice to cover for Dr. Nixson. She woke up with a fever. Caught what was going around.”

“One of the things that always happens this time of year when you work around so many sick people.”

She almost always got some kind of cold in the fall and again in the spring. Thankfully, nothing that put her down for the count lately.

“Don’t I know it,” Cassie said. “I had it last month. Hopefully, I’m good for a bit. At least you’ve got a few days here to get out and do something fun. Got anything planned? Any guys you can catch a drink with? Though we won’t get to hear any funny stories because you won’t be here on Monday.”

She curled her lips some. Guess she hadn’t realized how much she talked about her personal life at work.

No one in their office knew yet that she and Luca were dating. Kind of funny now that she thought of it.

Of course it was not like her family was going around announcing it.

And no one saw the two of them together at work. The last time they were together in such a public setting was a month ago at the hospital fundraiser.

Their first night together in bed.

But since in public they spent just as much time away from each other and socializing with other people, and everyone was told she was introducing him around, no one thought much of it.

Hmm, guess that was going to be another conversation they’d have to have soon.

“No plans. I’ll catch the ferry back on Saturday and relax. Though I might bum dinner off my mother on Friday night. Depends on their plans and the weather.”

“I heard we’ve got snow coming on Saturday. I’m kind of excited about it.”

“Me too,” she said. Her head shook a tiny bit, sending her snowflake earrings floating around her head.

She had them on most days now. It seemed to fit.

What she wasn’t so excited about was the cold and the wind when she walked to work this morning. There was no reason to fight for a parking spot when it only took five minutes to get here. That was the appeal to her condo. Driving would have taken her twenty, half the time to drive, but when you add in finding a parking spot and walking from there. Yeah, not worth it.

One of those nice conveniences on the island. No traffic! Plenty of places to park.

“Those are pretty earrings,” Cassie said. “Are they new?”

“Yep, they are. A gift for Christmas,” she said cheerfully. “And we should get a move on.”

“On it,” Cassie said.

Two hours in, eight kids down, and she was already behind. A sick visit meant there was no chance this would be a quick fifteen minutes.

“Hi, I’m Dr. Gabriela,” she began—then stalled.

Shit.

The man standing in front of her was unmistakable. The guy from the mixer months ago. Three kids. Too much confidence. Too memorable of a smirk.

“Brian,” he said, rising to his feet and giving her an unapologetic once-over.

Did he recognize her? It was hard to tell. The look could have meantI know youorI like what I see. Possibly both.

She ignored it, shifting smoothly into doctor mode. “And you must be Jonah. You don’t feel good today?”

“He’s got a cold sore on his lip that won’t go away,” Brian said. “It’s been over a week now.”

“Let me take a look,” she said, taking a seat and rolling her chair closer. “Those lips look pretty chapped. Does it hurt?”