“You told him,” he guessed, his eyes narrowing. “He knows about Kim.”

Lina blushed. She wanted to deny it, but it was too late. Her face had given her away. She looked helplessly into his eyes. “I was upset at one of Katie’s appointments, and it just came out.”

“Jesus Christ, Lina!” He pushed his hands back through his hair and squeezed his head. “What in the fuck were you thinking?”

“I wasn’t. I was hurt.”

“Of all the Goddamn people you could have told, it had to be him! We’re done with him. Professionally and personally.” He turned on his heel and headed back towards the house.

“What does that mean?” Lina asked, running to catch up to him.

“It means Katie isn’t going to see him again. It means Logan isn’t going to see him again. That’s what it means.”

“Phil, stop!” Lina gripped his arm.

“The moment you let him into our personal relationship, his interactions with our children ceased.”

“We can’t just rip Katie away from him. We’re going to transition to the new doctor, but she still needs to—”

“No,” he interrupted. “It’s done. Either you cancel Friday’s appointment or I will, but it’s going to be canceled.”

“Think about Katie.”

“I’m thinking about this family,” he bit out. “And he isn’t good for this family.”

Logan was standing in front of the open refrigerator when Lina came in from gardening the following morning. “You look like you’ve grown an inch.”

“You always say that when I go away for a couple days.” He pulled out a carton of milk.

“That’s because it’s true. Where did you put your bag? I’m about to do some laundry.”

“Emily washed all my stuff yesterday morning. She said she doesn’t like to unpack dirty clothes.” He dropped down at the kitchen table and poured some milk over his cereal.

“Emily?”

“Brian’s dad’s girlfriend.”

“That’s impressive. What was she like? Is she pretty?” Lina tried to keep her voice nonchalant.

“She’s cool, and she was totally hot. Like a model or something.”

“How old was she?”

“I don’t know.”

“Well his dad is my age. Was she my age?”

“No, she’s young. Not like young, young, but not old like you.” As soon as the words left his mouth it was obvious he regretted them. “I didn’t mean it like that. You’re not old, but—”

“It’s fine.” Lina turned away from him to fill her coffee cup. “I am old.” She was surprised by her level of disappointment at the image of Nick with a hot, young girlfriend.

“Brian thinks she’s hot too, and she could end up being his stepmom. That would be weird.”

“I doubt she’ll be his stepmom.”