She narrowed her eyes, studying his face, searching for any indication that he was setting her up. Waiting for the inevitable “but.” But no “but” followed. He was serious. Absolutely sincere.

His eyes narrowed back at her when she remained silent. “Why are you looking at me that way?” he asked.

“Because my family says that, but then they suggest that I should stop working so much or that I should give up medicine entirely or that I shouldn’t foster kids who might be ‘dangerous.’” She used air quotes.

He tilted his head to one side, appearing distressed. “Who says that to you? Deacon?”

She chuckled a little darkly. “No, he knows better. I have kicked his ass in the past and I can do it again.”

His lips twitched. “I’d pay money to have seen that. How old were you?”

“Thirty-three.” She grinned at him, suddenly at ease. “It was last month. He was testing my self-defense moves. Snuck up on me. Ended up staring at the ceiling.”

He returned her grin, making her heart flutter again. “Then he deserved what he got,” he said decisively. “Does Adam say you should quit?”

“Never. And if he thinks it, he’s smart enough to keep it to himself. He’s seen me kick Deacon’s ass.”

“Then who wants you to quit?”

Sighing, she got mugs from the cabinet and filled the teapot infuser with loose tea, just as she did every evening, finding comfort in the routine. “My aunt Tammy, mostly. She and my uncle Jim took us in after my mom and stepfather died, and we’d lived with them off and on before that.” She winced, remembering. “Not the happiest environment for kids. Adam got it worse than we did. Uncle Jim was a drunk. Still is.”

The kettle boiled and she filled the teapot. Taking it and the mugs to the table, she sat directly across from Diesel with a sigh. “He’d hit Adam sometimes. Mostly he was emotionally abusive. Adam’s still struggling with it.”

Diesel nodded. “I know. He’s talked to me about it a time or two, when I’m over at their house visiting Meredith. She’s good for him.”

Dani smiled. Adam had never been happier since he and Meredith Fallon had finally gotten together after a year of dancing around each other. Kind of like Diesel and me, she thought, her smile fading.

She couldn’t offer Diesel what he really wanted—the happily-ever-after that all their friends had found. She wanted that, too. But she’d also wanted it with Adrian, had even accepted his marriage proposal, only to later break him. Literally.

Roughly she pushed aside the mental picture of Adrian’s body lying on the rocks, his final words ringing in her ears. Are you happy now? I hope you’re a better doctor than you were a lover.