been an emergency with one of his patients. He asked his receptionist to text me to let me know he couldn’t make it, but it appears the joke about doctors and their bad handwriting isn’t a cliché when it comes to Gabe. She thought his three was a five, and she texted the wrong number. It was an honest mistake.”
Dad glanced at Kellan. “How did you know about it?”
“I was at Score when the guy didn’t show. Kept Sara company while she waited.”
His mom smiled at him. “That was nice of you.” Then her attention wavered to something just behind Kellan. “Oh my word. Is that Gladys Partlow?” she asked Dad.
Dad turned in his seat. “You know, I think it is.”
Mom stood up. “Well, my heavens. I haven’t seen her in twenty years. Do you mind if I go say hello?”
No one minded, of course. Not that his mother stopped to confirm that fact. She was halfway across the room in seconds.
A slow song came on, and several couples from nearby tables rose to dance. Mr. Connelly stood, holding out a hand to his wife, who blushed as he led her to the floor.
Before Kellan knew it, the party at the table had dwindled down to Kellan, Sara, and his father. Not ideal, but Kellan suspected he could say some of the things he wanted to get off his chest without giving away too much to Dad.
“Haven’t seen you much at work this week, Sara. You missed the meeting yesterday.” It hadn’t been a meeting. It had been him summoning her to his office in hopes of seducing her. She’d sent another RN in her place, forcing him to come up with a lame reason for needing to see an ER nurse.
Her eyes betrayed her anger. She didn’t like that he’d crashed the party, even if it was his mom’s birthday. “I’ve been busy.” Her retort was short.
“I can see that. When did you decide to give the assh—I mean—Gabe another shot?” He exaggerated the nickname she’d just used for her date. He was pissed off to think the two of them had already gotten close enough that she was calling him Gabe.
Her jaw clenched. God only knew what his dad thought, but so far he’d stayed out of the conversation. That didn’t mean the old man wasn’t hanging on every word.
“It was a simple misunderstanding, which we were able to clear up. He’d sent me several emails over the weekend, but I was away from my computer and didn’t see them until Monday evening.”
If his father hadn’t been sitting right next to him, Kellan probably would have done a bit of gloating about why she missed the emails.
“I’m not sure this guy—” Kellan stopped when Gabriel returned to the table. Rather than resuming his seat, he asked Sara to dance.
Kellan gritted his teeth as he watched her accept Gabriel’s hand, allowing him to lead her to the dance floor.
“Well. I’ll admit this didn’t play out the way I’d expected.”
Kellan looked at his father, frowning. “What are you talking about?”
Dad nodded toward Sara. “The two of you.”
“I have no idea what you mean.”
His father chuckled. “I’d call you a liar, but part of me is worried you actually don’t have a clue.”
Kellan blew out a frustrated breath and debated walking out. The night was a bust. “Are you going to talk in code all evening, or would you like to get to the point?”
“That girl has been half in love with you her entire life. But she knows you well enough to stay away. I can see the dynamic between the two of you has changed. However, I expected it to be you who broke her heart. Not the other way around.”
Kellan’s temper had been simmering since he’d been introduced to Dr. Fucking Perfect. He’d held it in check for Sara’s sake. He didn’t feel the same need to protect his father’s feelings.
“You don’t have any idea what’s going on here,” Kellan said.
Dad leaned back in his chair, scrutinizing Kellan’s face too closely for comfort.
“You’re jealous of Gabriel. You wouldn’t have that reaction if you didn’t have feelings for Sara.”
Kellan rolled his eyes. “Of course I have feelings for her. I care about her. Like a guy would a friend he’s grown up around all his life. You didn’t see her Friday night when that asshole stood her up.”
“Whatever you say, son.”
“Jesus, Dad. There’s nothing going on between Sara and me. Let’s just leave this conversation here. It’s pointless.”
“Do you