Brogan (Carolina Reapers 9)

Maddie looked Skye over with her doctor’s eye and then handed her back to me. “She taking her formula fine?” she asked, and I nodded. “And her diapers? They’re normal?” I nodded again, and she smiled at me. “Then I think she’s going to be just fine,” she said, and I sighed again.

“That’s good to hear,” I said.

“Good job bringing her in, though. Babies this young, you never know. It should break in the night, but if it doesn’t, you can always call me.”

“I knew it was a low-grade fever, but I can’t lie, I was freaking out.”

Maddie chuckled. “Totally normal. And you’re doing all the right things, Fiona. Extra formula if she wants, light layer of clothes, not wrapping her up too tight. You’re a good—” She stopped herself short, and I raised my eyebrows at her. She laughed, shaking her head. “Holy shit, I almost said mom.”

I snort-laughed with her while getting Skye all tucked back into her carrier.

Once we reeled it in, Maddie looked at her watch. “Hey, I have a few minutes before my next patient. Walk with me? There’s someone I want you to meet.”

“Okay,” I said, totally at ease now that I knew I was doing everything to keep Skye comfortable. I followed her through her offices and up the stairs to another department of the children’s hospital where she worked.

“Doctor Ross!” a man called out in greeting as we approached him. He leaned against a receptionist desk in a room with colorful carpet and plenty of playful chairs and stations for awaiting children.

“Hi, Doctor Trellis,” Maddie said. “This is my friend I was telling you about, Fiona Andrews?”

I eyed her curiously, then shook the doctor’s hand.

“Ah, yes,” he said, releasing my hand. “The one who has a doctorate in children’s psychology?” Maddie nodded, and he beamed. “One of our on-staff psychologists is transferring to another hospital in North Dakota,” he explained. “Her husband is in the military. Anyway, that means in a month or so, we’ll have a position opening up. Would you be interested?” he asked, and my eyes widened.

“You’re offering me a job?” I asked, bouncing when Skye started to whine a little.

“Well, I’d have to take a look at your resume, of course, but with the glowing recommendation Doctor Ross has given you, I would be honored to have you as part of our team.”

Wow. That was one hell of an offer. Working for a children’s hospital would probably be a dream position, but everything inside me screamed no.

“I appreciate the offer,” I said, glancing down at Skye. “But I have my hands full at the moment. Thank you for considering me, though. Truly, I appreciate it.”

He looked at Madeline curiously for a moment, then smiled and shook my hand again. “Well, if you change your mind, don’t hesitate to reach out. It was nice meeting you.” He released my hand and headed through a set of double doors, no doubt to treat more patients as the day carried on.

“Well, that was surprising,” Madeline said as we headed back down toward her offices.

“I’m sorry,” I said, hating that I felt like I’d messed up. But I couldn’t deny my instincts, and they were all saying I was right where I needed to be.

With Skye. And I couldn’t imagine leaving her right now. Especially with no leads on her mother, and then there was Brogan…

Ohmigod, I didn’t want to leave Brogan either.

But…we weren’t a couple. We weren’t anything. Sure, we’d had some amazing make-out sessions that may have led me to one of the best orgasms I’d ever had, but that didn’t mean we were a thing.

Panic crept up my spine, terror shooting through my veins like ice.

“Hey,” Maddie said, resting her hand gently on my shoulder. “You don’t have anything to be sorry about,” she said as we stopped near her exit door. “I didn’t mean to spring that on you. I honestly just wanted you to meet him. I had no idea he’d offer you the job right there on the spot.”

I breathed out slowly, trying to hide the fear that must be frosting over in my eyes. Not about saying no to a job, but about why. I knew better than to get attached. I’d been telling myself for weeks not to get attached, but my dumb heart obviously didn’t listen.

“No,” I said. “I am sorry. That was super nice of you. And it’s an incredible contact to have. I just…” Fuck. How could I explain why I’d said no when I couldn’t even totally understand it myself?

I knew Skye wasn’t my forever, but why the hell did that sting so badly?

“You just have other priorities right now,” Maddie finished for me. “No biggie. You want to grab lunch sometime soon?”

“Yes, please,” I said, suddenly realizing I desperately needed a day off. Not because of anything to do with Skye, but everything to do with me. I needed to remember that I had a life outside of her and Brogan, because once her biological mother came back into the picture? Or once Brogan felt he had a better handle on juggling single dad life?