Kissing the Dr (Healing Love)

Teddy took my hand in hers to examine it carefully, which was strange because she was definitely not the jewelry expert. “Why blue topaz?”

The smile that stretched across my face was almost painful but I couldn’t help it, not when I thought of Casey’s answer to that exact question. “Because we got married in December and Casey says that was the official birth of us and because he gave me this for my eighth birthday.” I held up my right hand to show off the tiny ring on my pinky finger with a blue stone that Casey had given me forever ago. “Isn’t that the sweetest?”

Persy fanned her face. “That is next level hot, honey. I hope you gave him a proper thank you.”

Teddy, Hannah and Gus laughed so loud the workday lunch crowd stopped eating to stare at our table.

I took it in stride. However I felt about being the center of attention before the accident, I embraced it now. I kind of had to with everyone stopping me on the street or dropping by the bakery to check on my memory progress, to share their favorite memories with me.

With an eyebrow wiggle, I leaned in and shook my head, gaze landing on each of my friends. “I gave him a very improper thank you. Very.” I closed my eyes and savored another flash of memory from last night. “Let’s just say caramel sauce was involved.”

Gus sucked in a breath. “From the pecan caramel croissants?”

I nodded. “One and the same.”

Hannah’s eyes went wide. “I ate three of those yesterday.”

“Me too,” Gus groaned but a slow smile spread across her face. “Hey, maybe that’s another revenue stream for Sweet Treats, totally edible body sauces.”

“And creams,” Teddy added seriously. “Definitely creams. Particularly your buttercream.”

“Ew,” Hannah groaned. “First of all, don’t ruin buttercream for me. Second of all, no one needs to know what you can Cal do to each other.”

Teddy let out a wicked laugh.

Gus shrugged. “Antonio is more partial to fruit flavors, like that blueberry glaze.”

Teddy smacked her hands on the table with a good-natured laugh. “Okay, point made. No more talk of brothers and their sexual preferences.” She reached for the champagne and poured five full glasses.

“None for me, thanks.” The table fell silent as I knew it would, but there was one more piece of news to share. “Oh. Didn’t I tell you all?”

“Tell us what?” Persy demanded. She left the hospital early after taking me in because motherhood called. “Megan!”

I smiled. “The reason I fainted wasn’t my jacked up brain. It’s the baby growing in my belly.”

More silence followed, but for the briefest of moments before the table erupted in laughter and screams and excited clapping. “A baby,” Hannah cooed. “How exciting. I’m totally going to make a changing table for the baby!”

“Really? That would be great, Hannah.”

She shrugged off my words, but I didn’t miss the way her cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink. “We have a lot of planning to do. Bachelorette party, bridal shower, baby shower, wedding and reception.”

My stomach dropped at that giant to do list and a groan escaped. “How am I going to do all that, be pregnant and expand the bakery?”

Persy smiled and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “The same way we all do. With a little help from our friends.”

Teddy nodded her agreement and poured my champagne into her glass as the server came with three huge platters of appetizers. “She’s right. I’ll help with making anything for the wedding and the nursery.”

My eyes rounded in surprise and my heart filled with warmth. “Really? That’s so generous, Teddy.”

“It really is,” she agreed with a playful smile. “But it’s because I need something from you. Two things, actually.” After a mischievous smile and a very dramatic pause, she sighed. “Cakes. One for my engagement party and one for my wedding.”

Teddy smiled and refilled the champagne flutes as more screams and cries of congratulations went around the table. “Wow, we’re going to have a busy year coming up,” Gus offered with a smile.

It would be busy, but exciting too with all the changes in our lives. Gus and Antonio would be engaged and probably growing their family in no time. Teddy too. Everything was changing, but in the very best of ways and I couldn’t wait to see what the future held.

Casey

“She’s had two seizures in the past two months. None before this and no diagnosis of epilepsy. She needs your help, Casey.” Persy sat across from me, her serious violet eyes pleading and I knew without a doubt, we were talking about a kid. Again.

I sighed and shook my head. “Save the sad puppy eyes, Persy. Set up a consult and we’ll see what’s going on with the patient.”

She smiled gratefully. “Thank you, Casey.”

I shook my head. “Just out of curiosity, how old is this patient?”