Aidan shook his head. “It makes me sound like a selfish bastard. I mean, who is jealous of their kid for taking their wife’s time?”

“A lot of men. So stop beating yourself up over what you’re feeling. Most of all, don’t bottle it up. Talk to Emma.”

Aidan’s blue eyes widened as he shook his head furiously back and forth. “Oh hell no, I don’t want her thinking badly of me.”

“She won’t. Emma always appreciates honesty.”

“About me being jealous of her time with our kids? I’m pretty sure she would not want me being honest about that.”

“What has Emma always said is the most important thing in a relationship?”

“Trust.”

Pesh nodded. “So how are you building her trust by lying to her about your feelings?”

Aidan’s blonde brows furrowed. “So I should just tell her I’m afraid of losing her and that I want us to maximize our time together?”

“I would think so. I don’t think any woman could get angry hearing her husband say how much he loves her and wants to be with her.”

Aidan appeared thoughtful. “I guess you’re right.”

Pesh smiled as he patted Aidan’s shoulder reassuringly. “You’re doing a wonderful job being a father. I’m sure you’ll do just as well with a second and maybe even a third child.”

At the mention of a third child, Aidan swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. “I don’t mind a third kid…just not now. Maybe in a couple of years.” He glanced up and smiled at Pesh. “But thanks for the vote of confidence on me being a father.”

“I just call it as I see it.”

“I appreciate that.”

“How about I check on your head now?”

Aidan nodded. “Okay.”

Pesh started feeling for unusual lumps and bumps on Aidan’s head. “Hmm, I don’t feel anything abnormal. But just to be on the safe side, I want you to have a CT scan to rule out concussion or any brain bleeds.”

“Jesus, I could have all of that from just hitting my head?”

“You would be surprised. Let me go call in the order, and they’ll come take you back. Hopefully you won’t have too long a wait. We’re usually slower during the afternoons when the doctors’ offices and imaging centers are open.”

As he started for the door, Aidan stopped him. “Hey, man, with all the craziness, I almost forgot to ask how is Megan doing with her placement?”

Pesh didn’t have to think twice before responding, “She is going to make an incredible nurse.”

Aidan grinned. “I’m glad to hear it. Not that I ever doubted her abilities. It’s just good to hear her praises sung by a doctor.” Popping Pesh on the chest teasingly with his hand, Aidan asked, “How’s it going between you and Megan?”

Pesh almost laughed out loud at Aidan’s forthrightness. It was not in his nature to be so blunt, and after Megan turning him down yet again, he wasn’t really sure how to answer.

“I truly respect and admire Megan.” He considered that the most diplomatic way to answer her uncle’s enquiry. Despite feeling glad that he obviously had earned his friend’s respect, he wouldn’t say anything untoward about Megan in front of him. It is her business who she did or didn’t date.

“That’s not what I meant.”

“I didn’t imagine it was.”

Aidan eyed him before saying, “Look I know you got off to a rocky start, but it’s not hopeless. Are you planning on asking her out?”

“You’re not letting this go, are you?”

“Nope. Not a chance.”

Pesh shoved his hands into his lab coat. “I have asked Megan to accompany me on a date, but at this point, we are at a stalemate. But, I am not planning on giving up anytime soon. Does that satisfy your inquisition?”

Aidan laughed, but then his brows furrowed. “What do you mean? You two looked pretty cozy and comfortable together when we walked up.”

With a regretful shake of his head, Pesh replied, “She doesn’t want to date me.”

“I call bullshit. I may have been bonked in the head, but no one could deny the way she was looking at you. Maybe if you—”

Although it was against his character, he let his anger override his better judgment. “She wants me for sex but not for a relationship, okay?”

Aidan’s mouth gaped open. “You mean, she’s acting like…a dude?”

“If you mean that she has pretty much refused to go to dinner with me or any other honorable event that a man and woman can partake in on a date, and instead, she would rather pursue a strictly physical relationship, then the answer is yes.”

“My God, it’s like she’s turned into the old me,” Aidan muttered. He ran his hand over his face before he looked at Pesh again. “I’m so sorry.”

With a shrug, Pesh replied, “She’s still very young. I suppose in her eyes, she’s been deprived of fun the last two years. This is a way for her to make up for that. Regardless if we agree or understand it.”

“Well, I still call bullshit on the whole thing.” He gave Pesh a long, hard stare. “You have to keep trying, no matter what.”

“I didn’t say I was giving up, did I?”

“No, but I know from personal experience how hard it is to keep trying when it feels like you aren’t winning.”

“What occurred with you and Emma is totally different than with Megan and me.”

“You still have to try.” Aidan hopped off the examining table and wobbled for a moment on unsteady legs. “Megan has been hurt before, and I don’t think she really knows what it is to be loved. Not deeply where her needs were considered. Hell, she was only twenty-three when she got knocked up. I want her to find someone who will cherish her, man. I want my girl cared for.” He patted Pesh’s shoulder. “I think that someone could be you.”

“We’ll see.” When Aidan started to argue, Pesh shook his head. “Time to see about your head.”

“Whatever,” Aidan mumbled.

When Pesh opened the door for Aidan, Emma and Megan stared expectantly at them. “So what’s the verdict?” Megan asked.

“I think he’s going to be just fine, but to be on the safe side, I’ve ordered him a CT scan.”

Emma’s eyes widened in fear. “You think he has some brain injury from the fall?” she asked in a panicky voice.