“I…” I stumble, trying to find the answer.

Am I happy?

Just as I was about to answer, bloodcurdling baby cries tore through the room as Meara woke.

“Saved by the bell—or baby, I guess I should say.” Lailah laughed. “Would you mind getting me a bottle from the fridge? She fell asleep before I could get her evening feeding in.”

“Sure,” I answered.

“Jude is downstairs in the living room. He’ll give you instructions on how to warm it, if you don’t know how.” Lailah said, trying to soothe the hungry little one.

“I babysat for a few neighbors who still gave bottles. I remember.” I smiled before quietly slipping out of the room.

Was I happy? It was a simple question.

It should be a simple answer.

Yet, as I walked down the long hallway and to the stairs that lead to the kitchen, I couldn’t come up with an answer.

As I approached the open kitchen, expecting to find a tired Jude up, alone, watching TV or reading in the nearby living room, I instead found both Cavenaugh brothers, deep in discussion.

“You like her, don’t you?” Jude said, a wicked grin spreading across his face, as he leaned back against the sofa.

I pulled back into the shadows, realizing the conversation they were having revolved around me.

“You’re incredibly annoying, you realize that?” Roman fired back before sipping brown liquid from a crystal glass.

Whiskey probably. I’d seen vintage bottles high atop the shelves of his office, dating back to his father’s days, and that night in the club, he’d reeked of it.

“And you’re evasive and a little hostile. We all have our things. So, fess up, and then I can give you some proper brotherly advice before you screw it all up.”

“Screw it up? Who says I’m going to screw it up? And since when does the little brother give the advice?”

“Since the little brother seems to have his shit together, the little brother gives the advice. Okay? And I’m not little, jackass.” Jude laughed.

“Could have fooled me with that joke of a car you have,” Roman growled.

He was still annoyed I’d made him drive the clown car for the evening. But he hadn’t bothered covering up that gorgeous smile of his when he was effortlessly weaving in and out of LA traffic. He’d never admit it, but he’d enjoyed the ride.

“That car is called being responsible. I know it’s a word you’re unfamiliar with—”

“Now, who’s being the jackass?” Roman grinned back before letting out a huge sigh. “She’s my employee, Jude. My fucking employee.”

“And Lailah was my patient. What’s your point?” Jude asked, raising a speculative eyebrow.

“My point? What’s my point? That’s the whole fucking point, Jude. She’s off-limits. No dating the employees. Isn’t that a rule? I’m pretty sure it’s even written in the handbook.”

Jude shrugged casually. “I’m pretty sure it wasn’t exactly kosher for hospital employees to fool around with patients in their rooms either, but Lailah and I did that plenty of times.”