Lauren had a smile on her face when she and Andrew made their way down to the parking garage. There were no sudden announcements that a patient passed away, and she’d watched Andrew build a friendship with Jasmine. Lauren had spent most of the day at the Lego table but kept an eye on them throughout the afternoon. It appeared Jasmine made Andrew work pretty hard, but eventually he’d convinced her to play Mario Kart. They played game after game—complete with Jasmine’s laugh and trash talk—and Andrew even forfeited his red hat as a prize when she beat him two games in a row.

Lauren had been so engrossed in the kids and watching Andrew and Jasmine that she hadn’t noticed how the weather had changed.

“It’s really coming down out there,” Andrew said as they entered the parking garage, the open-air walls allowing gusts of white flurries to blow inside.

Lauren’s eyes went wide. “Oh, my goodness, it is.”

Andrew held out his hand. “I grew up in Nebraska. I’m a master at driving in snow.”

Relief rushed through her. “I hate driving in it.” She handed over her keys, and once again Andrew drove her car in the direction of his apartment.

The roads were slick, and they drove at a near crawl, the ten-minute drive taking double that amount of time. Lauren remained quiet next to Andrew, allowing him to focus on the surrounding cars, her body tensing up with each slide across the ice.

When he finally pulled into a visitor parking spot outside his building, he turned off the ignition and angled his torso to face Lauren.

“You’re not driving home in this. Come inside.” Before she could argue, Andrew got out and walked around to her side of the car, opened the door, and held out his hand.

“I can drive myself home.” She looked at the dark gray sky and blinked. “It’s not that bad.”

Andrew stared at her. “You said you didn’t like driving in snow. I’ve done it hundreds of times, and even I had trouble maintaining control. Your car isn’t made for conditions like this. Quit being stubborn and come in. Jasmine stole my hat and I don’t have any hair and it’s freezing out here.”

“Fine.” She grabbed her purse and got out, nearly falling right on her ass the minute she stepped onto the icy asphalt.

“Whoa,” Andrew said, grabbing her around the waist. Her hands flung out to grip his biceps, releasing him when she regained balance. He was a little slower to take his hands from her body, and the sensation unnerved her.

“Take my hand,” he said, his tone brooking no argument.

She slipped her hand in his and focused on taking slow, steady steps to the stairwell, which thankfully was covered and dry.