Page 27 of Dr. Baby Daddy

“Unfortunately, I have work today. I have rehearsal in an hour, and then I have to get over to The Gilded Raven and talk to Dex about whether he’s going to get his shit together and offer me a contract or not.”

“Are you going to storm in there and phrase it just like that?” My cheeks ache from smiling. I can’t remember when the last time that happened was.

She shakes her head and looks down at her plate. “Nope. I may have no problem arguing with you, but I’m not confrontational with most people. Especially not those I need a job from.”

I lean across the counter and take her chin between my thumb and forefinger, tilting her head back to look at me. “For what it’s worth, I think they’d be stupid not to hire you.”

That impish smile is back on her face as my hand drops. “You know that’s going to mean a lot more practicing, right? You’re going to have to listen to me play at all hours of the day.”

I give her a teasing groan. “Ugh. I forgot about that part. I guess I’m just going to have to invest in some good earplugs.”

Izzy laughs and finishes off her breakfast. “I hate to eat and run, but I need to get ready and head out.”

I nod and continue to pick at my breakfast. “No need to apologize. You have work to get to, and I think I’m going to spend the day cleaning up around here.”

She disappears into the bedroom and comes back out in her clothing from last night. Disappointment rolls through me in waves at the sight of her no longer in my shirt.

I walk her to the door and kiss her quickly. She leaves in a hurry, entering her apartment like a miniature hurricane. I wait until her door shuts before shutting mine.

As I look around the apartment, I don’t know where to start. The only furniture in the apartment is the bare minimum I need to have to be comfortable. Most of it is cleaned once a week as it is.

Instead of cleaning, I head to my room and pick up one of the guitars. My hand trembles as I tune it.

I don’t know what I’m doing, but it feels right. By focusing only on my job, I’ve allowed my passions to fall to the side for too long.

Even though I love my job, there is nothing that compares to the rush that music gives me.

I start with one song and then flow to another. My fingers move over the chords as if I never stopped playing. I strum the melody that I’ve heard Izzy humming to herself over the last few days.

When my hand cramps a few minutes later, I set the guitar to the side and fall back against the bed.

What would it be like to get out there and perform?

I could start small, working my way through the little bars in the less-known corners of New York until I feel confident enough to go in front of larger crowds.

That’s never going to happen.

In a fantasy world, I might be a musician by now, but in this world, I’m a doctor who loves his job.

My life doesn’t need to change when I like it enough the way it is.

Although, playing with Izzy could have me changing my mind. Especially since she seems to have me changing everything else about my life.

This is all moving too fast.

CHAPTER 12

IZZY

My fingers ache from a long day of rehearsals as I walk into The Gilded Raven. The club isn’t open for the evening yet, but there are staff members lounging around some of the empty tables.

Kate grins and bounces her way over to me across the black marble floor. “I didn’t think you were coming in tonight.”

“Well, I was just supposed to be coming to talk to Dex, but he called me while I was at rehearsals and asked if I’d be willing to work tonight.” I heft my bag higher on my shoulder.

Kate nods and nudges her elbow into my side. “So, I got your text this morning. Are you going to tell me how your date with the grump went?”

My cheeks warm as I roll my eyes. “It was a good night. He took me to this gorgeous rooftop bar, and then we watched a movie when we got back to his apartment.”