Page 51 of Dr. Sexypants

I interrupted her, changing the schoolyard taunt when I did.

“F-U-C-K-I-N-G is all it was and all it’s going to be. So, slow your roll, matchmaker.”

“Why? He’s like… a freaking catch!”

“I know. He’s a great guy—he’s smart, sexy, and has a dry sense of humor.”

Lainey added, “And a great job… but how was he in the sack?”

I couldn’t lie, even if I wanted to. “Freaking amazing.”

She squealed and clapped again, and when I didn’t join in her enthusiasm, her expression sobered. “So, what’s the problem?”

“He seems like the type to catch feelings. You know that’s not how I operate.”

“Maybe it’s because you haven’t met the right guy.”

“Don’t go there. It’s not gonna happen.”

“But—”

“Drop it, Lain.”

She sighed and mumbled under her breath as she plugged the mixer back in. I distinctly heard the words “chicken” and “fool”.

Maybe I was. But not putting my heart out there meant it couldn’t get broken. I’d had a front row seat for the first twelve years of my life to what that could do to a woman. I’d made a vow that would never be me.

And I planned on keeping it that way.

Chapter Sixteen

Justin

We’d exchanged numbers after our hike, so I texted Kristy the next afternoon after I woke up.

Me: Hello, beautiful! I hope you’re having a nice day. I just wanted to say again what I great time I had with you and Dora, and I’m really looking forward to our date on Saturday. I made a reservation for 7pm. Let me know if you’d prefer a different time.

It was still unread when I headed to the hospital that evening.

And the following morning when I checked before I drove home from work.

And again, when I woke up.

I knew when I’d been in college there were all these rules about waiting to contact someone after a date, but I thought those had gone by the wayside.

Maybe I was wrong.

Or maybe she wasn’t that interested.

Although the more I thought about it, I concluded the most likely reason was that she was trying to emphasize she wasn’t interested in a relationship.

Point taken.

I didn’t text her again.

My phone buzzed in my lab coat around ten o’clock Friday night when I was setting Ricky Freidman’s ulna before casting it. A quick glance at my watch showed it was a text from Kristy, but I wasn’t able to read it until after midnight.

Kristy: Hi, Dr. Sexypants! I had a great time, too. 7 works great. Should we meet at the restaurant?