After loading the box into the trunk, Gabriel braced himself for another mad dash to the doctor’s office. When they arrived, Nana breezed in and gave her name to the receptionist, while Gabriel dropped into the nearest chair and wondered if he was the one in need of a doctor.

She sat next to him, smiled serenely, and patted his knee. “I want to walk down to the bakery and get a piece of peach cobbler after we leave.”

“Okay, but I’m driving back.”

She pursed her lips and scowled at him but didn’t reply. It took only a few minutes for her to be called in.

He leaned his head back, closed his eyes, and took a couple of deep breaths, trying to calm his nerves.

“Gabriel.”

His eyes popped open, and he came to his feet quickly. “Serenity, hey.” Today she wore a pair of purple scrubs and had swept her braids up in a bun, giving him an unobstructed view of her beautiful face.

Serenity frowned. “Are you okay? You look a little…I don’t know.”

“Still shaken up after riding here with Nana. The woman drove like she was trying to qualify for a spot in the Indy 500. My blood pressure is probably through the roof,” he added with a shake of his head.

She laughed softly. “Do we need to get you in to see the doctor?”

Gabriel scrubbed a hand down his face. “Maybe.” Seeing her smile brought back memories of the fun he’d had at the last dinner. The relaxed and playful side she’d shown intrigued him more than he cared to admit, and as he’d told her, he really wanted to get to know her. More than that, he sensed a growing attraction he was helpless to stop. However, he dismissed any thoughts of him and Serenity becoming more than friends. He didn’t plan to stay and shouldn’t start anything he couldn’t finish. To distract himself, he asked, “Is Nana okay?”

“She’s fine. It’s just her annual checkup. I’m sure she’ll fill you in.”

“I doubt it,” he said.

“I’ll let Dr. Jacobs know you’d like to talk to him.”

He blew out a relieved breath. “That would be great. Thanks, Serenity.”

She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. “Anytime.” She crossed the room, stopping to comfort a fussy baby before disappearing through the door.

Gabriel had been wrong. She’d been given the perfect name, and it was that calm, serene quality that called to him. Her touch had been meant for comfort, but his body interpreted it much differently. Friends only, he reminded himself as he took out his phone to check and respond to emails, send a text to Darius to let him know the first system test ran well, and make notes to himself about the interactive video game he wanted to design for children.

“Mr. Cunningham?”