AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I give him a scowl. “It’s in their job description.”
“Shut the fuck up. You know Gianni’s girls are classy, well-educated women. They don’t have to go out with anyone they don’t want to. They have a choice. And they’d all choose you.”
“Well, maybe I prefer someone I have more in common with.” I take a much-needed sip of my scotch. “Hell, Max. I can’t explain what it is about this woman. I’m not interested in settling down. My career still eats away at ninety percent of my time. I’d like to give the other ten to my girls. They’ve grown up without me. I have a lot of work to do in the father department. But I have to see this through.”
Max strokes the golden scruff along his jaw. “Is it the chase? Since she seems to be the one thing you can’t have?”
“I don’t think so. I’ve never had that kind of draw to women, only work. And money.” I let out a chuckle. “It’s not even about sex with her. Don’t get me wrong. I wouldn’t turn it down. But there’s something intriguing about her. I’ve never felt it before.”
Max snickers. “You going allThe Notebookon me?”
“What? Hell, no. Maybe I’m excited about the opportunity to get to know her.” But she won’t even give me a chance.
“Well, this is one expensive first date, my friend.”
Tell me about it.
Max leans forward, reaching his arm out to me. “So let me see it. Where’s this luxury vacation happening?”
Pulling out my phone, I open my browser and pull up the website for the all-inclusive resort in Jamaica. Handing it over to him, I start to consider whether it’s too late to back out. But I saw the way the staff were clamoring around the human resources table for entry forms. The excitement was palpable.
I may not be interested in taking on the role of medical director, but it has nothing to do with a lack of loyalty and admiration for St. Luke’s Hospital. That place has been good to me. I’ve made great memories and a hell of a lot of money there. The very least I can do is make a donation to uplift the staff working there—especially the ones who might not ever have the chance to experience a trip like this. A vacation, I admit, I take for granted.
If I’m going to back out of anything, it needs to be emailing her that she’s won.
“It’s a family joint?”
“It had to be. One, there wasn’t any way I could get away with offering a trip to the staff of the hospital and make it adults only. Two, I have no idea if she has kids.”
Max flops back in his chair and gives an almost maniacal laugh. “Shouldn’t you have started there?”
“Why? It’s of no consequence to me if she has kids.”
Max bolts upright, suddenly looking serious. “You told me you didn’t want this director’s position because you haven’t spent enough time with your kids. All parents aren’t like you, Broadie. Most of them spend time with their children. I’m glad you’re realizing you want to change that now, but you’re doing all of this before you know anything about this woman. Whether or not she has children is a very big deal.” Max’s expression morphs into one of disappointment, as if he’s trying to reason with a wayward child. “Say you manage to get a date, and you sleep with her. Are you planning to do all this just to fuck her and run? Is that why her having kids isn’t a big deal to you?”
I sit up straighter, feeling like I’m being assaulted. “Hell, no.” My jaw clenches in frustration. How did this conversation get so off-track? “Fuck. I don’t know what I want.”
Dropping my face in my hands, I take a deep breath and try to control the abrupt change in my demeanor. It’s not like me to get so defensive. In through my nose, out through my mouth, I repeat the process a few times until I feel my shoulders relax. Looking up, I find Max’s expression less accusatory. “I barely know this woman. But something tells me, if she had kids, it wouldn’t change a thing. I’d find a way to make it work. That’s all.”
He’s made his point. I’ve jumped in headfirst and have no idea why. Normally, I’m meticulous about researching anything I’m planning to do. But there was undeniable hesitation from Poppy before she shot me down for a date. I’m certain of it. Once I recovered from the sting of rejection, it was on. There had to be a way to spend time with her. I need a chance to prove we could be good together.
My friend drops his tone as he continues, “Broadie, I’m just saying, if you go into this half-cocked, you may end up with more problems than solutions. Be sure you know what you’re doing here so no one gets hurt.”
I know he’s right.But this train has already left the station.
There have only been a few things in my life I’ve felt innately passionate about. Doing whatever it takes to provide the best surgical care possible to my patients. Living a life my father and grandfather would respect after all they’ve given me. Being a better father to my children.
And Poppy.
“So, will you help me?”
“I think you’re playing with fire, man. What if this all blows up in your face?”
I haven’t really considered the consequences. But I can’t be any worse off than I am currently, right? I mean, she won’t give me the time of day now.
“I’ll handle it.” There’s a chill across my skin as the words tumble from my lips. I pray it’s not an omen of what’s to come.
Max gives me a look of acceptance. “Okay, what do I need to do?”
