Private Partners (Doctors in Training 2)

“Alexis gets cuter every time I see her,” Anne said to Mia as the three women sat around the table chatting while the men were away. “Is she really as well behaved as she always seems when we’re here?”

“Pretty much,” Mia replied with a pleased smile. “Connor or I rarely have to reprimand her, though it does happen occasionally. Usually for running in the house. She’s always in such a hurry.”

“Oh, to have that much energy again,” Haley groaned.

“Seriously.” Anne sighed wistfully before asking, “How’s your school year going, Mia?”

Mia taught advanced English classes on a high school level. “It’s been a pretty good year, so far. A few pain-in-the-patootie students, as usual, but that’s to be expected.”

“Are you still planning to start grad school next fall?”

“Yes. I’ve already submitted my applications and talked to the admissions office. Connor and I figured we should be able to work around our schedules next year, since he’ll have more evenings free from studying to help with Alexis. Connie Porterfield, the mother of Alexis’s best friend, McKenzie, has already offered to provide after-school care and chauffeur services when both Connor and I are tied up.”

“That was nice of her.”

“She needs someone to watch McKenzie on weekends, when Connie works part-time. I figure I can study some while the girls play together on the weekends, and in the evenings after Alexis goes to bed. It will be a busy time for us, with Connor in his third year of med school and me in my first year of grad school and Alexis in the third grade at her school, but we should be able to work it all out.”

Anne had watched Connor and Mia together, and they made a great team. Both were organized and goal-oriented, yet both put their family first even with all their other responsibilities. She didn’t envision them being defeated by the obstacles that had already ended several of her classmates’ relationships.

Whether she and Liam would be able to survive was another story…one she couldn’t think about tonight.

Mia looked from Anne to Haley. “Poor Connor’s been studying so many hours I can’t help but worry about him, but at least he makes time to play with Alexis for a little while every day. That’s good for both of them, I think. I hope you’re both finding some time to just relax during this cycle.”

Haley and Anne exchanged wry looks and shrugs. “We try,” Haley murmured for them both.

“Speaking of which.” Anne studied Haley over the rim over her coffee cup. “Did you ever call that guy? Kris with the dimple?”

“Kris with the dimple?” Mia repeated, looking intrigued as she studied Haley’s suddenly pink cheeks.

“I sent him a text,” Haley replied. “We’re going out Saturday night.”

“You have a date Saturday night?” Mia clapped her hands. “Good for you, Haley. You really deserve a break.”

“Haley’s got a date?” Connor rejoined them just in time to overhear. “Who’s it with, Haley? Anyone we know?”

“It’s no one you know. Just a guy.”

“Who are we talking about?” James asked, slipping out of his leather jacket as he came back inside, his tanned cheeks a bit red from the cold night air. “What guy?”

Connor answered, “Haley’s got a date Saturday.”

“No kidding. Who with, Haley?”

Haley’s cheeks were bright red now. Anne grimaced apologetically. She shouldn’t have brought this subject up when the others could overhear, she realized. They would tease Haley mercilessly, just because they were guys.

Ron, she noted, had an odd edge to his voice when he asked, “Yeah, Haley. Who’s the poor sap—I mean, who’s the lucky guy?”

Haley shot Ron a scowl, then held up her hands and shook her head. “It’s no one any of you know, okay? And I’d like to keep it that way.”

“How about you, Anne? Do you have a big date this weekend, too?” James asked, his dark eyes alight with his pleasant smile.

“I offered to fix her up, but she turned me down. Again.” Haley shook her head in disapproval.

“I figure that’s a good call, Anne,” Ron gibed. “No telling what

kind of clown Haley would dig up for you.”

“Hey!”