“Hey, you can’t ever have too many friends,” Molly pointed out.
“I know, and I value your friendship every day,” Kara said. “By the way, would you be willing to go to Jack Carter’s going-away party with me this Friday night? Did you hear he’s having it at the Ritz?”
“No, I hadn’t heard about the party, although I did hear that he handed in his resignation.” Normally, Molly avoided fancy places like the Ritz, but maybe attending Dr. Carter’s going-away party would be a good distraction. “What about your new friend, is he going to be there, too?”
“Yes, he’s going and, yes, I wouldn’t mind bumping into him there. Come on, Molly, please? I don’t want to walk into this party all alone.”
Molly knew Kara wanted a good reason to attend the same party David was going to, and since she knew Kara needed to get over Tyler, she couldn’t say no. Especially as her own social life was practically non-existent. It wouldn’t hurt her to get out and mingle more. “Sure. Why not? I’d love to.”
“Thank you,” Kara murmured. “It starts at eight o’clock and you have to wear something fancy.”
She grimaced. “Oh, boy, that means I have to go shopping.”
“And when was the last time you bought yourself something nice?” Kara demanded.
Since never. She’d worn a simple black skirt and green blouse for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, unwilling to spend her hard-earned money on fancy clothes. But it wasn’t every day that the chief of pediatrics stepped down to work at a free clinic with his fiancée, so she swallowed her protest. “Okay, okay. I’ll shop. Maybe I’ll find something on sale.”
“Did you hear who’s been appointed Chief of General Pediatrics in Jack’s place?” Kara asked.
“Who?”
“Dr. Layla Woods. I think it’s awesome that a female physician was given such a prestigious position, don’t you?”
“Yes, it’s great.” Molly didn’t know Layla Woods personally, although everyone talked about the tiny blonde bombshell and her sweet Texas accent. Not to mention her brilliance as a pediatrician. “She deserves the position.”
“I agree.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked, when Kara went quiet. “I’m sure it’s not easy to see Eleanor and Tyler together all the time.”
“It was hard at first, but now they just seem so natural together that I can’t help but be happy for them.”
“You’re amazing, Kara, you know that?”
“Thanks, Molly, so are you. Hey, look, I have to run, my break is over. We’ll talk more later, okay?” Kara quickly disconnected the call and Molly could just imagine her friend running back to the unit to take care of her tiny patients.
Molly was glad Kara wasn’t too heartbroken over Tyler and Eleanor’s newfound love. She didn’t want to be full of envy, but she hoped Eleanor knew how lucky she was. If the rumors were true about her and Tyler having a baby, a family, was the greatest gift in the world.
Images of Dan and Josh flitted into her mind, but she shoved them aside ruthlessly. The two of them were not meant for her.
Maybe Kara was right. Maybe she needed to get out more. Socialize. Meet people. Meet men. Someone other than a single father with emotional baggage from his horrible ex-wife. What if she became involved with Dan and he ended up leaving her, just like James had?
Walking into the living room, she turned on her laptop computer and logged into her bank accounts.
She needed to know how much she could afford to spend on a dress. Because maybe, just maybe, she’d meet someone at the going-away party who would help her forget about Dr. Daniel Morris and his adorable son, Josh.
The following morning, Molly did her best to keep Josh and Dan at a professional distance. Josh’s therapy was coming along very nicely, and when she played the kick-my-hand game, she was thrilled at how high Josh was able to kick.
“Oomph,” she grunted, playing it up a bit as she staggered backward, gazing at Josh in awe. “You nearly knocked me over!”
“I know,” Josh said with exuberance. “I’m getting stronger, right, Molly?”
“You are definitely getting stronger, champ,” Dan said, a wide smile on his face. “I’m so proud of you.”
Despite her best efforts to stay detached from the dynamic father and son duo, her heart ached at the love shining from Dan’s eyes. Her throat tightened, and for a moment she couldn’t breathe.
“We have a lot to thank Molly for, don’t we?” Dan said to Josh.
The boy nodded. “Yep. We love Molly, don’t we, Dad?”
She couldn’t talk, could barely think as Dan’s gaze clung to hers. “Yes, we do,” he agreed lightly.
She knew he didn’t really mean it. At least, not in the guy-girl type of way. But she knew she was blushing just the same. “Enough, you two, we have more work to do before this session is over.”
In truth, they only had one more game to play before it was time for the massage and the ultrasound treatment. She finished the therapy and handed Josh the jar of lollipops, watching with amusement as he chose a lemon-flavored sucker.
“Molly, do you have a minute?” Dan asked, as she was about to leave.
She glanced at the clock. “Just a minute. I have another patient waiting.”
“I understand.”
She walked down the hall to her office, all too aware of Dan following close behind. “Is there a problem? Has Josh been having more muscle spasms?”
“No, there’s nothing wrong.” Was it her imagination or did he look nervous? “I just wanted to know if you were busy on Friday night?”
For a moment she couldn’t hear anything but her heart thudding in her chest. Was he really asking her out on a date? Then she realized he probably wanted her to spend time with him and Josh again. She sensed he liked having her as a buffer when he interacted with his son. Although they were clearly getting along better so she knew he didn’t really need her.
“I’m sorry, but I already have plans. Maybe another time?”
The disappointment in his eyes tugged at her heart, but she did her best to ignore it. “Sure. Another time, then.”
She tore her gaze away and glanced again at the clock. Of course today every one of her patients was going to show up for their appointments. “I’ll see you and Josh tomorrow, okay?” Without waiting for him to say anything, she quickly left her office, heading to the waiting room to greet her next patient.
Unfortunately, Dan’s invitation looped over and over like a stuck tape playing through her mind as her day progressed. Along with the distinct disappointment in his dark eyes, when she’d told him she already had plans.
