King Me (King Me Duet 1)

He smiled. “I ran into him this morning. Normally, I would have spoken to you first, but opportunity presented itself. I wasn’t sure if I’d run into him again.”

“What did you ask him?” I was annoyed but managed to keep it from manifesting on my face.

He hesitated probably sensing the undercurrent of tension from me. “I-uh I just asked if there was anything going on between the two of you,” he said, uncertainty forming tension lines on his face.

“What was his answer?” My question came out a bit clipped. Yet, I hung on bated breath waiting for his answer.

“He…his answer wasn’t actually an answer now that I think about it. He said I had his blessing and good luck. Is this a problem?” I shook my head too quickly. “Do you want to come to my place for dinner this weekend?”

You have my blessing and good luck rang in my head. “Yes. That sounds good.”

His smile turned up. “I’ll text you my address.”

I checked the time on my phone. “I should go. I’m going to be late for my shift.”

“Until this weekend, Natalie.” He leaned down and I turned too late. His lips brushed over mine as he planted the kiss on my cheek.

I walked away wondering where the jolt of excitement was from our near kiss. It hadn’t come, though I desperately wanted it to. If for nothing more than moving on from Liam who had moved on from me.

The ward was relatively quiet when the shift change occurred. I’d been briefed by the nurse I was taking over from and was walking toward my first patient to check in and do vitals when Christy stepped in my path.

“I saw you with Doctor Love earlier and I think it’s really shitty of you for stringing him along.” I had to bite my tongue because I wasn’t in the mood.

“It’s really none of your business.”

She blocked me again when I tried to walk around her. “It is. You refused to give me Liam’s number because you still want him.”

What she said was partially true. I hadn’t gone out of my way to give her his number. It was also true that she hadn’t asked for it recently and Liam hadn’t asked me to give it to her.

I pulled out my phone and scrolled to the contact I was looking for. I texted the message before holding the screen in front of her face. The message read: Can I give Christy your phone number? Liam’s name was at the top. “Satisfied?” I asked before storming off. I had to exhale hard before walking into the room of the woman who was in the middle of a long labor.

His answer wasn’t immediate.

Twenty-Two

Liam

It bothered me that Natalie had looked so damn innocent when I railed against her before leaving the kitchen that morning. The proof was in the text. If Doc Love didn’t think something was going on between them, why had he sent her that text message?

Connor sent me a message later asking me to come by. Our father had an unexpected appointment that came up.

I wasn’t in the mood for the old bastard and had to force a smile for Bailey when she opened the door.

“Connor will be a minute. Can I offer you anything?”

She was as sweet as Mom’s homemade pie. I offered her a more genuine grin. “Thanks, but I ate earlier.”

“I can wrap you up a plate to take home with you,” she offered.

“Am I too skinny?” I teased.

She giggled and covered her mouth. “Sorry. Old habits.”

I didn’t quite get her meaning but let it go. “A plate would be nice.”

My cooking was passable. I had a feeling hers was a lot better and would beat takeout.

“Sure.”

Connor came down the stairs. “Ready?”

I gave him a quick nod and followed him to the elevator.

“I’m riding with you today. I need to speak to Dad’s doctor,” he said, before he left me on the roof to get our father.

The helo was a beauty, and it gave me a rush every time I sat in the pilot’s seat. Because Connor was going, he would get our father situated, leaving me to run to the pre-flight check. Once they were on board, I was able to leave immediately.

Connor had their headsets switched on so I heard the conversation that came shortly after takeoff.

“Have you gotten the results back?” Royce asked. He didn’t specify the DNA test, but I took that to be what he was asking about.

“Not yet.”

“The sooner it happens, the sooner that boy can find out who his real father is.”

“Dad,” Connor said, as I gritted my teeth.

It took a herculean effort not to switch on my mic and say something that could get me fired. Though leaving New York could be for the best.

“I know who my children are. You and that obstinate brother of yours. This one isn’t my son.”