xVerity: @Gwynning @TeenDad2, I need a babysitter. Do you have any recommendations? Short notice. Tonight.

KnotMyProblem: Doing something fun?

xVerity: I’m going out for dinner.

KnotMyProblem: Doing *someone fun?

Vincent rolled his eyes, but it was accompanied by a smile. He yawned and stretched, then readjusted his arms. He had them folded on one of the clinic’s lunch tables, but the pinch of his elbow against the vinyl surface was cutting off his circulation.

TeenDad2: Babysitters? Before Aaron was back, I used to use Mal all the time. He’s awesome. He used to look after me when I was little, and he’s got a really big heart. I 100% trust him. Do you want his number?

Vincent almost choked. He cleared his throat and looked across the room at Dr. William Heaney, who had a spoon tilted to his lips, a hot thermos open before him. He was a big man, both bulky and tall, with gray whiskers and the droopy, dreary kind of face Vincent associated with doctors who were badly in need of retirement.

As far as Vincent could tell, he hadn’t noticed Vincent’s loss of composure.

xVerity: I’m… actually going out with Mal tonight, so I’ll need a different babysitter.

TeenDad2: WHAT

TeenDad2: XV NO WAY!

TeenDad2: How did you guys meet? What are you meeting for? Mal’s super nice but he’s a little shy and keeps to himself most of the time. Omg I’m just… wow!

Vincent sucked his cheeks inward in an attempt to choke off a laugh. A breathy, amused noise made it through his nostrils regardless, and he noticed William glance in his direction crossly, like fun was strictly prohibited in the break room. Vincent did his best not to let William know that he’d noticed. No matter what William thought of him, he wouldn’t give up on talking with his friends.

xVerity: We met at Gwynn’s wedding. We’re meeting up for dinner to reconnect.

KnotMyProblem: My, oh my… I seem to remember you connecting with a certain someone at Gwynn’s wedding, xV. No wonder you want a babysitter.

TeenDad2: Wait, I’m missing something. What do you mean, connected? Like, on social media?

KnotMyProblem: Oh, you pure, innocent child.

TeenDad2: Omg

TeenDad2: xV did you SLEEP with Mal???

xVerity: A gentleman never tells.

KnotMyProblem: Good thing I’m an asshole, then. Yeah, TD, xV boned your babysitter all night long. A few minutes after you left, they were locking lips and looking at each other with fuck-me eyes. xV took him home and left me and Harley all alone. We had to go drown our sorrows at some bars downtown.

TeenDad2: I am so shocked

TeenDad2: Mal is so… so… idk he’s just really quiet and I didn’t think he’d do that. Wow. WOW. Good for him.

TeenDad2: Are you guys dating now? Can we go out on a double date? A TRIPLE date with Alex and Gwynn??? There’s this restaurant that Aaron took me to a few months ago that’s so good.

xVerity: All we’re doing is going out for dinner. It’s not a date.

The way William glanced at him every now and then left Vincent increasingly nervous. William’s dark, vulture-like eyes couldn’t pick words off his screen from across the room, but the energy in the air was changed, and it made Vincent paranoid. No longer comfortable at the table, Vincent tucked his phone in his pocket, collected his lunch-sized freezer bag, and exited the room to head to the parking lot. A cool breeze gusted through his hair and filled the space between the buttons of his shirt, hardening his nipples and sending goosebumps down his arms.

With a push of a button, Vincent unlocked the doors of his Kia and tossed his freezer back in the back seat. He sat on the bench, door open and feet flat on the pavement. Here, no one would read over his shoulder. He’d have a moment to himself.

TeenDad2: I mean, if you do go out on a date you could totally go out with us. Except we’d both need to find a babysitter lol. Maybe Matthew could do it? Gwynn’s son? Alex tells me he’s doing a really fine job raising Emily, and he’s excellent at looking after Violet.

TeenDad2: Let me message Alex and ask if he/Matthew can look after Nikki tonight, okay? She’s what, six now? I’m sure it won’t be a problem.

xVerity: I appreciate it. Thanks. And yeah, in a few weeks, she’ll be six. She’s mature for her age, though.

TeenDad2: Yeah, np! Mal’s been alone for so long it really warms my heart to think that he’s found a nice guy like you who’ll treat him with the respect he deserves. When are you meeting? Where are you going? Will you tell us about it after?

KnotMyProblem: You wanted to gouge your eyes out when we were talking about Gwynn at his wedding, but you want all the dirty details about xV?

TeenDad2: Uh, yeah, because I know that xV isn’t going to overshare or try to gross me out lol

Tires crept across asphalt. Vincent lifted his chin and watched as a car rolled by on its way to the street. He didn’t recognize the individual inside—several other businesses shared the same parking lot with the clinic—but he refrained from returning to the Single Dad chat until the car was gone.

xVerity: I’ll give you guys an update later. I owe you for finding a babysitter for me.

TeenDad2: woo!

TeenDad2: I really hope you guys have a nice time tonight. Mal is so lovely.

Sunlight beat down on Vincent’s shoulders. He lifted his head and looked across the parking lot, expecting to find someone watching from afar, but saw no one. He was safe.

A vibration redirected his focus to his hands. Harley had tagged him in a comment.

LoveHarley: @xVerity, Mal is very lovely. I think you’ll be a good match for him.

TeenDad2: ??? Harley, do you know Mal, too?

LoveHarley: oh haha no, not really. Just… uh, a feeling, I guess? :)

TeenDad2: ???

KnotMyProblem: Harley, so spooky. What’s with you, being all prophetic? First, knowing that Gwynn’s on the way to the venue without looking out the window, then, knowing mysterious things about xV’s new beau…

LoveHarley: Nah, it’s not all that big a deal. I just meant that it seems, from what I saw, that he’ll be a good match.

KnotMyProblem: … riiight.

TeenDad2: Well, I agree.

The conversation was thriving without him, gradually moving on to other topics. Vincent closed the chat window, then thought better of it and turned off his phone. Until he got things squared away with Mal later tonight, he wouldn’t put himself at unnecessary risk. The less his phone rang, the better. If it didn’t ring at all, he was golden. Nikki’s daycare would call the clinic if they needed to get in touch about an emergency, so there was no reason to keep it on.

Lunch concluded, he left his vehicle and headed back to the clinic. The beep of the locks as they engaged snapped him back into the right frame of mind. There were still individuals from group three to treat this afternoon, and Vincent would give them his full attention. No matter the excitement in his personal life, he was still a physician—a professional—and he had a duty to his patients.

It just so happened that to one, he was more invested than usual.