Friends. That’s what she’d told Emilia, and that’s what she’d told Lillian. Tempting as it was to consider the prospect—dangled so infuriatingly by Lillian when she needed it least—of a fling, she knew herself too well to entertain the idea for long. She’d proved as much already this evening. Pushing Emilia about her safety had been way out of line.

Her eyes returned to Emilia of their own accord as Emilia laughed at something Stormy said. It wasn’t just the curve of waist and hip and the way her hair moved as she spoke that held her eyes. There was a deep wariness there, and something else; she’d seen it in her patients. Some animals were well-behaved because they wanted to please. Others knew the shape, smells, and tastes of their limits. Morgan wanted to hold Emilia in her arms as she broke free of hers.

“You’re drooling,” Stevie said in a low voice. “And since it’s not over my masterpiece of confection, I’m offended and disgusted.”

Morgan ate her cake.

“Picture time,” said Lillian a little while later, interrupting Morgan in a conversation with Danielle about the clinic. “Ange, get in the middle. Tall people in the back.”

Morgan saw Emilia hesitate. “I can take the photo,” she offered, and Morgan guessed she didn’t want to intrude.

“Nope. Get in the back. I’ll use the timer.” Lillian propped her phone on the bar and surveyed the jumble of people around Angie. “Morgan, move closer to Danielle. Emilia, stand by Morgan. Stevie, do not make that face again, and Stormy—you look flawless. You’re making the rest of us look bad.”

“Paging Doctor Lee, you’re needed in pediatrics,” Danielle whispered into Morgan’s ear.

“Hush or she’ll put you in time out.”

“Are you sure I should be here?” Emilia asked from Morgan’s other side. “I just met Angie. I don’t want to ruin her photo.”

“Don’t worry about it. If she wants, she can always crop out your face, right? Photoshop—”

“Act like you like each other, people,” said Lillian.

Danielle slung her arm around Morgan’s shoulder. She debated the wisdom of doing the same thing to Emilia, but before she could come to a decision, Emilia leaned her hip against Morgan’s and turned sideways to face the camera. The pose was completely normal and even made sense, given the angle of the camera, but it rendered a comradely shoulder grip awkward. She put her arm around Emilia’s waist instead. Emilia shifted her weight and leaned in closer.

She felt too good. Morgan bared her teeth in a smile for the camera as she grew instantly and acutely aware of the warmth of Emilia’s skin and the inundating scent of her perfume. This close, she picked up hints of violet and blackberry.

“Smile,” said Lillian as she stepped back to join the group. Her phone flashed several times, and she strode back over to it. “Nobody move. Stormy, your eyes are closed in all of these.”

“What? No way.”

“Way. Okay, let’s do this again.”