Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 55458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 277(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 277(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
“Yeah, well, Sarah isn’t here, so she doesn’t get a say in the matter.” He stabbed at the food on his plate as if it were the avalanche. I knew bringing her up would lead here, but I loved Drew and only wanted him to start living his life again. “I’ll date when I’m ready. What’s your excuse?”
I shrugged, trying for a small smile. “Not enough options, I suppose. Besides all that, running a hospital the size of JRMC is time-consuming, and no man wants to compete with that.” At least, not in my experience.
“That’s just an excuse, Suze.”
“It’s not. Trust me.” More than one almost-relationship had failed because I didn’t have enough time in a day to coddle a grown man. A few lost interest early on, some strayed in my absence, and the ones I appreciated most were the honest ones, who flat out said they felt neglected. They moved on to less ambitious women and I wished them well. “But we were talking about you. Maybe dip your toe in the water with one of your gossip buddies?”
“The youngest is sixty-six, Suze!”
“And? Cougars are in these days, or haven’t you heard?”
“Suzie, stop. Please.” Drew held up his hands and cupped them over his ears. “If you don’t stop, I’ll go pump Gavin’s grandfather for information. I hear he’s quite the talker.”
“He is,” I sighed. “But there’s nothing for him to talk about, so go right ahead.” Gavin’s granddaddy was a character in his own right and the man wasn’t shy about, well, anything. “If anything, he’ll give you a few pointers on pleasing the ladies.”
Drew groaned and rolled his eyes. “What’s with this town and getting people coupled up? And why am I a target instead of you? You’re the one who has to worry about depleting eggs.”
My eyes widened at his words. “Seriously? I cannot believe you just said that to me!” Even though it was a real problem that became more of a concern with each passing year.
Drew shrugged. “It’s the truth. I’ll be able to make babies for decades, but you need to hurry up and find love so you can pop out a few little ones.”
I hated that he was right. As an adopted child, I wanted nothing more than a child of my own, something I didn’t share with anyone. “I could always adopt.”
“And I’m sure you will, but I know you, Suze. You want to experience being pregnant and childbirth, the whole thing.”
My shoulders fell because he was right about that. “Well, that’s starting to feel like a pipedream, Drew.” I hadn’t had a date in more than a year. “Anyway. I have some news.”
“You’re seeing Gavin Ross?”
I clenched my jaw, reaching for patience. “No, I hired a cardio fellow for your program.”
“What?” His voice boomed and drew attention, which I knew he wouldn’t like. A moment later he looked around, cheeks flushed. Drew leaned forward, anger tightening his voice. “Without asking me?”
“You mean, beyond the email I sent two months ago? The one you either ignored or simply disregarded?” I shook my head. Give Drew a scalpel and he was the master of focus and attention. Outside the operating room, he was less focused. “Time was of the essence if we wanted the most qualified fellow, and I did. It’s good for JRMC.”
“If this fellow isn’t qualified for the job, don’t expect me to keep them on staff.”
“Of course.”
“Okay, then.” His shoulders relaxed a little as he finished off his steak and then the jumbo shrimp. “You really should put yourself out there more, Suzie.”
“I know that, Drew. This might come as a surprise to you, but men aren’t lining up to date a bossy woman in frumpy clothes and colorful glasses.”
“Bullshit. You’re the only one who sees you that way. Gavin obviously doesn’t.”
No, he didn’t. But that was just a one-time thing. A temporary distraction. “I’m glad you’re back, Drew. I’ve missed you.”
“Missed you, too, Suze.”
Gavin
“Finally.”
The word came out a little scratchy, but it was my voice. Deep and familiar, if a little rusty. It had taken three long days of silence, and of listening to Granddaddy regale me with stories of his days as a single man. And a married man. And a widow. But now, I was officially cleared to talk and there was just one voice I wanted to hear.
“Suzie Q.”
I heard that small intake of breath and smiled. “Gavin, I’m flattered you would use your limited voice time to call me, but don’t you have people waiting to hear from you?”
“Email and text message. Got a lot of work done, unfortunately.” Alex was eager to get me back in the public eye, talking about my surgery. If I couldn’t sing, he wanted me out in the world, sitting for interviews and photo shoots, endorsements and community service. He was scared shitless the world might forget about Gavin Ross while I was out of commission.