by Fiona West
His sister-in-law enunciated her words patronizingly. “I have done this before with Coop. I don’t need a lactation consultant; they’re the same breasts I had then.”
“But not the same baby,” her husband added gently, reaching over to rub her back.
“Don’t touch,” Claire said without looking up, still trying to get Hannah to latch, and Kyle felt momentary sympathy for his brother.
“I’ve got to get to work. Thanks for dinner, Claire.”
“Thanks for picking up Cooper, Kyle. I should be able to do it myself soon, I’ve just been so exhausted, and Hannah’s still nursing a lot...”
“Don’t worry about it,” he said, waving her off. “I don’t mind.” He paused at the threshold of the open front door. “Also, Ainsley caught him peeing on a tree at school. Bye.” Kyle shut the door behind him before he could hear their reaction. He felt only slightly guilty for throwing Coop under the bus, since he had given him the idea. He whipped out his phone as he got in the car. Daniel. His brother would know, he’d been best friends with her since middle school.
Kyle: Is Ainsley engaged?
Daniel: Don’t think so. Why?
Kyle: Heard a rumor.
Daniel: Pretty sure she would’ve told me or Winnie...
Kyle: Probably just a rumor.
Kyle: Don’t tell her I said anything.
Daniel: But come to think of it, she has been on a few dates with some guy she met on an app, so I could be wrong.
So maybe it is true. That was upsetting for two reasons: she’d been dating someone, and she’d debased herself to use one of those terrible apps. Kyle wished he could say the same of the two of them. It felt like every time he came home and wanted to chill in his own living room, his brother and his brother’s fiancée had beaten him to it. At least he was working nights now; the house was quieter during the day. Kyle liked quiet. Kyle missed quiet. He didn’t regret letting Daniel move into his house, but he could be a little...
“A little much,” Kyle grumbled aloud as he started his car.
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Acknowledgments
I SWEAR, THIS PART gets harder every time. The Tempest and Kite team is small, but boy, you ladies sure pour your hearts into this as much as I do, and that cannot go overlooked.
To my editorial team at Salt and Sage: you all rock. I can’t say it enough: your professionalism, straight-up knowledge of your genres, and kindness make this so much easier.
To my critique partners, Angela Boord and Rebecca: you are both so good at picking out the little discontinuities, the little moments that could be amped up, pulling out what’s good, but could be better. I’m so blessed that you enjoy reading my work.
To my sensitivity/expert readers, Erin and Jessica: thank you for helping me make this book medically accurate! I so appreciate your time and your insights.
To my copy editor, Jessica Gardner: Thank you for sharing your expertise with me! I’m still floored by all the rules you know. All those tiny corrections take my diamond in the rough and polish it up!
To my cover artist, Erin O’Neill-Jones: Wow. Just wow. I still can’t get over how you’ve captured these characters! Thanks for all your hard work on this.
To my writing group, Ruth and Magalie: I will miss you so much. I will miss our talks over tea, your insights into the world, your companionable silences, your “we get it” reassurances. I carry the lessons I’ve learned from you into this new phase of my life, and I expect to see you over Zoom frequently, so don’t think you’re rid of me. That’s not a thing. Love you, ladies.
To everyone who’s helped promote the book: Meghan Lloyd, Heather Clark, Janna, Geornesna Clayton, and everyone who reviewed the book on NetGalley. Your support means so much to me! Truly, thank you.
Gratitude also to Matt McCarthy for his book The Real Doctor Will See You Shortly and Adam Kay for his book This is Going to Hurt for giving me a glimpse into the real lives of new doctors.
And last, but certainly not least, thank you to my CFO, Mr. West. I’m so thankful to have you as my sidekick. You may not wear a cape, babe, but you’re my hero for so many reasons.
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Thanks so much for taking the time to sample my work. I hope you enjoyed reading it even more than I enjoyed writing it, though I doubt that’s possible. Being an author is a dream come true, and getting to share my books with delightful, thoughtful readers like you just adds to the sweetness. Drop me a line and let me know what you thought or leave a review on Goodreads!
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