Secret Baby’s Second Shot (Burning For You Again #5)

1. Summer

1

SUMMER

T he metallic scent of blood hit me as I carried Ava into the hospital’s emergency room. My heart was pounding in my chest like it might break free, and my arms trembled under her weight, though she wasn’t heavy. Her small hand clutched at my shirt, her tears soaking into my collar as she whimpered.

“Mommy, it hurts,” Ava whispered.

“I know, baby,” I murmured, brushing her golden curls away from her forehead. “We’re almost there.” My voice sounded steady, but inside, I was falling apart. I adjusted her in my arms and pushed through the heavy glass doors.

The receptionist glanced up, her eyes darting to Ava’s bleeding leg. “Room three,” she said quickly, pointing down the hallway.

I nodded my thanks and hurried down the hall. Every step felt like a mile, every second like an eternity. Ava had been running in the park, laughing as the late afternoon sun bathed her in golden light. Then, out of nowhere, she’d tripped over an uneven stone, scraping her knee on a jagged piece of metal hidden in the grass.

I couldn’t even look at the wound for long—it was deep, and the sight of so much blood made my stomach churn.

I stepped into the exam room, gently laying Ava down on the padded table. “It’s okay, sweetie,” I said softly, kissing her forehead. “The doctor will fix you right up.”

The door creaked open, and I glanced over my shoulder, expecting a nurse or a physician I’d never met. Instead, my breath caught in my throat, and my pulse froze.

“Summer?”

My heart dropped into my stomach. The voice was familiar, achingly familiar, but it was deeper now, steadier. I turned fully, and there he was. Enzo Pearson.

He wore scrubs, his white coat thrown over them, and a stethoscope looped around his neck. His dark brown eyes locked onto mine, wide with shock.

“What are you—?” he began, then his gaze dropped to Ava. His face shifted immediately into professional mode.

“What happened?” he asked, stepping forward, his tone brisk but calm.

I swallowed hard, my throat dry. “She fell at the park. There was… something sharp in the grass. Her knee—it’s bad.”

Enzo nodded, pulling on a pair of gloves. His movements were practiced, confident, but I could see the tension in his jaw. “Let me take a look.”

Ava clung to me as he moved closer. Her wide blue eyes, so much like his, shimmered with fresh tears. “It’s okay, Ava,” I whispered, stroking her hair. “This is Dr. Pearson. He’s going to help you.”

Enzo’s hands froze for a fraction of a second, then resumed their work. He knelt by the exam table and offered Ava a small, reassuring smile. “Hi, Ava. Can I see your knee? I promise I’ll be as gentle as possible.”

Ava sniffled, looking up at me for reassurance. I nodded, and she reluctantly extended her leg.

Enzo’s expression darkened slightly as he examined the wound. “This is deep,” he said quietly, mostly to himself. Then he looked up at me, his tone more clinical. “She’s going to need stitches. I’ll numb the area first. It won’t take long, but it might sting a little.”

“Will it hurt, Mommy?” Ava asked, her lower lip trembling.

I leaned down, kissing her forehead. “Just for a second, baby. Then you’ll feel better, I promise.”

Enzo stood and walked to the counter, gathering supplies. As he prepared a syringe, he glanced at me again, his voice low enough that Ava wouldn’t hear. “Summer, you don’t have to stay if this is too much.”

I stiffened. “I’m not leaving her.”

His eyes held mine for a moment longer, then he nodded and returned to Ava. “Okay, Ava,” he said gently, crouching by her side again. “This is going to feel like a tiny pinch, and then the pain will go away. Can you be really brave for me?”

Ava hesitated, then nodded slowly.

“That’s my girl,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

Enzo worked quickly, his hands steady as he injected the numbing agent. Ava winced but didn’t cry out, and I held her hand tightly, murmuring soothing words.

“You’re doing great,” Enzo said, his tone warm. He looked up at her and smiled. “You’re probably one of the bravest kids I’ve ever met.”

Ava’s tears subsided a little, and she offered a small, shy smile. “Really?”

“Absolutely,” Enzo said, his eyes twinkling. “And I’ve met a lot of kids, so that’s saying something.”

I watched the exchange with a mixture of relief and unease. He was so natural with her, so good. Too good.

When he started stitching, I turned away, unable to watch the needle piercing her skin. Instead, I focused on Ava’s face, wiping away the last of her tears and whispering soft reassurances.

“All done,” Enzo announced a few minutes later, pulling off his gloves.

Ava blinked at him, her small hand brushing over the bandage he’d placed on her knee. “That’s it?”

“That’s it,” Enzo confirmed. “You were amazing.”

Ava grinned, her earlier fear forgotten. “Thank you, Dr. Pearson.”

“You’re welcome,” he said, standing. “Now, no running around for a few days, okay? You’ve got to let your knee heal.”

“Okay,” she said solemnly.

He glanced at me, and the weight of his gaze made my chest tighten. “Can I speak with you outside for a moment?”

I nodded, brushing Ava’s hair back. “I’ll be right outside, sweetheart.”

She nodded, already distracted by the cartoon Enzo had turned on for her before leaving the room.

Outside in the hallway, the air felt heavier. I crossed my arms over my chest, keeping my expression neutral.

“Summer,” Enzo said, his tone low, a mixture of confusion and frustration. “What’s going on? Why didn’t you—” He stopped, exhaling sharply. “That’s your daughter?”

“Yes,” I said, my voice firmer than I expected.

He searched my face, his eyes narrowing slightly. “How old is she?”

“Four,” I replied.

He fell silent, his gaze flickering back to the exam room door. “Four,” he repeated, almost to himself. Then his eyes snapped back to me. “Summer?—”

“Enzo,” I cut him off, my voice trembling now. “I didn’t plan for this to happen. I didn’t even know you worked here. This isn’t… I didn’t come here to?—”

“To what?” he asked, his voice sharp but quiet.

“To throw this at you,” I whispered. “Ava is my responsibility.”

He stared at me, his jaw tight. “She’s not just yours, is she?”

My breath hitched, and I looked away. I couldn’t answer that. Not here. Not now.

“I have to get back to her,” I said finally, turning toward the door.

“Summer.” His voice stopped me, and when I looked back, the anger in his expression was replaced with something softer, something I couldn’t quite face. “We’re not done here.”

I nodded once and slipped back into the room, my heart pounding harder than ever.