You arrived at Oceanside Wellness with excitement, but that enthusiasm was quickly dampened by Dr. Addison Montgomery’s cold shoulder. It wasn’t outright hostility—she was professional, poised—but you could feel it in the clipped way she spoke to you, the way she avoided eye contact unless absolutely necessary.

Dell Parker had left a hole in the practice, and apparently, in Addison’s heart too. You weren’t here to replace him, not really, but you knew that’s exactly how Addison saw it.

“Dr Lequian” Addison calls as you finish up charting. You look up to find her standing at the doorway of your shared OB office, arms crossed over her chest, red hair catching the sunlight filtering through the window. “You just delivered your first baby here, didn’t you?”

You nod, expecting a rare word of approval. Instead, she sighs. “Dell would’ve done it better.”

Ouch.

Before you can formulate a response, a new voice enters the fray. “Addie, that’s a little harsh, don’t you think?” Addison’s brother, Archer, leans against the doorway, sipping a coffee he definitely stole from Naomi’s stash. His gaze flickers between you and Addison with an amused smirk. “Or is this your way of flirting?”

Addison glares at him. “Go away, Archer.”

Archer winks at you before strolling off. You shake your head. “Dr. Montgomery, I’m not trying to replace Dell. But I am here to stay. You don’t have to like me, but you will have to work with me.”

Addison watches you for a long moment. Then, something in her eyes shifts. Interest, maybe? Amusement? Whatever it is, it’s gone in a second. “We’ll see about that.” And then she’s gone, leaving you standing there, pulse racing.

You get the feeling this is only the beginning.