He wanted to cringe at her use of the word “bimbo.” He didn’t know the relationship dynamics between Aubry’s aunt and uncle, but apparently they weren’t good.

She stopped at the entrance to the house. “Lights are off.”

“Which means nothing.”

She sighed. “True.”

She dug the keys out of the pocket of her dress, stared at the house and hesitated. Not that he blamed her. If it were his family member, he wasn’t sure he’d want to know, either.

“Would he be able to get in there without keys?” he asked.

“He knows where the spare set is kept. He’s stayed in the guesthouse before when he and my aunt have had . . . tiffs.”

“I see. Would you like me to go in there?”

She frowned. “Why?”

“You know, that way if your uncle—”

“Davis.”

“Right. If your Uncle Davis is in there, then you don’t have to see anything, and he won’t know you were the one to find him.”

“You make valid points.” She handed him the keys.

“I’ll be right back.”

As Tucker headed off, Aubry inhaled a deep breath, then let it out slowly, hoping Tucker wouldn’t find anyone at all inside the guesthouse, let alone Uncle Davis, who shouldn’t be with anyone but Aunt Farrah.

She did not understand relationships. Or marriage. Her mother tried to explain the nuances of Uncle Davis and Aunt Farrah’s, but she’d always held up her hands and told her she didn’t want to know. It wasn’t her business. She loved her aunt and stood by her decision to stay with Uncle Davis, but this cat-and-mouse game the two of them played was ridiculous.

You either loved someone or you didn’t. You were either committed to them or you weren’t. And if you didn’t want to be with that person anymore, then why not get out of the relationship, before someone got hurt?

She’d seen her Aunt Farrah watch her uncle tonight, had seen the way her uncle flirted with some young woman. She’d seen the pain in her aunt’s eyes before she’d masked it with a laugh and a flip of her gorgeous hair.

Aunt Farrah might tell her mom that everything was fine, but clearly it wasn’t.

Her Uncle Davis confused her. He’d always been nice to her, and he absolutely adored his children. And when he was side by side with Aunt Farrah? The adoration he showed her was so loving.

But sometimes men were douchebags. Why was it so hard to be faithful? Her aunt, who’d just turned fifty, was still stunning, had an amazing figure, was an incredibly successful businesswoman and had raised three amazing children. And if Davis couldn’t see and appreciate that, then—

Tucker came back outside, shut and locked the door.

She hadn’t heard any voices, no yelling or embarrassed female screams, and the lights hadn’t come on.

A hopeful sign.

He dropped the keys in her hand. “No one was inside. I even checked the closets. Nice guesthouse.”

“Thanks. And thank you for looking around.”

“Not a problem.”

She stood there for a minute, gathering her bearings.

“Are you ready to go back to the house?”

“I suppose.”

He studied her, and she, in turn, studied him. She’d been in full doctor mode earlier, so she hadn’t taken the time to fully appreciate Tucker’s good looks. He was tall and lean, with thick, dark hair and amazing green eyes. The dark glasses he wore only added to his appeal. He wore a blue button-down shirt, untucked, and dark jeans.

And she’d already seen the package, which had been quite impressive. Though she’d only admit that to herself.

Not that she had any intention of seeing it again. After finding out about Uncle Davis, she’d decided all men were pigs.

Even men with impressive packages.

Besides, she had no time in her life for men. Residency was overwhelming. She was lucky she had a night off tonight to spend with her parents. Too bad it had to coincide with a team party to celebrate the start of the Rivers season, which meant her parents’ house was filled with men.

When they made it back to the house, she stopped and turned to Tucker. “Well, thanks again.”

“Thank you. You know, for helping me out earlier.”

Her lips curved. “You’re welcome. Take care of your testicles.”

He laughed. “I think you might be the first woman who’s ever said good-bye to me by telling me to look out for my balls.”

She lifted her gaze to his. “They are important. And delicate. Try not to piss off any more women.”

“I’ll try. Thanks again, Aubry.”

“You’re welcome, Tucker.”

He opened the back door for her and she went inside, the loudness of the party reminiscent of the emergency room at the hospital.

Tucker disappeared into the throng, and, after taking a moment to admire his very fine ass, she dropped the keys on the hook inside the door, then grabbed a glass of wine from the island in the kitchen.

She’d been hoping to steal some quiet time, visit with her parents and catch up. Since medical school, she hadn’t seen them often enough.

But she wasn’t going to get to see them much tonight, either. She went in search of her mother, found her with her usual group of friends, Aunt Farrah among them. Her mom spotted her, excused herself, and grasped Aubry around the arm.

“Anything?”

She shook her head. “The guesthouse was dark and closed up. No sign of Uncle Davis or anyone there.”