“Perfect,” Eve said, standing to shake my hand. “Christopher has an appointment this afternoon, so you’ll be seeing all the in-office patients today. I’ll have my cell phone on me, so call if you need me. Oh, and if there are any surgeries that need to be scheduled and it’s something you feel comfortable doing, schedule them with you. It’s time to start letting you spread your wings a bit.” She grinned at my wide-eyed look.

“Sure. Okay. Of course. Thank you,” I babbled. Shit, Blaire. Calm down!

She nodded. “Now, go read up on the charts for today. You have a busy afternoon,” she said, dismissing me with a curt nod.

I went to the small office they had designated for me and sat at my modern glass and metal desk, trying not to burst at the seams with excitement. I still had twenty minutes until my first patient, so I picked up my cell phone and dialed Axel’s number. I was dying to share my day with him, which felt weird but right.

“Hello, Bear,” his deep voice answered.

“Hey, Ax. You busy?”

“Nope. On lunch break. I’m picking up a booster seat for Carrie. It’s still okay if I take her for dinner tonight, right?”

“Sure. Did you contact Beau?”

“Yeah, he said he would have to check with you,” Ax sighed, sounding a little put out.

Jesus, Beau. “Don’t worry. I’ll handle my brother,” I told him firmly. “I’ll call him as soon as I get off the phone with you.”

I told him about the job offer and about Eve saying I was the best resident they’d ever had. A thrill shot through me when Ax sounded as excited as I was. “Blaire! That’s so awesome, babe! You’ve got a job offer before you’ve even finished your residency? You’re the most amazing woman I know. We should go out to dinner to celebrate.”

My face flushed with pleasure. “Okay, sounds good.”

“But not tonight. I have a date with another girl,” he said teasingly.

“Damn. Is she cute?” I asked, pretending to pout.

“The absolute cutest,” he said. “Sorry, baby. You have to share me now.” Oh, I just wanted to kiss his sweet face.

We talked for a couple more minutes, and after we hung up, I called Beau.

“Hey, little sis. What’s up?”

“I wanted to let you know that Axel is taking Carrie out for dinner tonight. Can you please be nice and arrange for him to get her?”

He grunted unhappily. “I’ll make the arrangements, but I’m not going to be nice.”

I rubbed my fingertips against my forehead in frustration. “Beau, please. He’s trying really hard.”

“He should have tried really hard five fucking years ago.”

“Hmph. Well, you’ll only hurt Carrie if you pick a fight with Axel in front of her.”