Page 42 of Already Home

Fifteen minutes later she’d arrived in Old Town, parked her carand was standing in front of the restaurant where she was to meet Dr. Mark ofthe gifted penis. She eyed the bar and wondered how dangerous it was to getcompletely drunk. After all, the restaurant would call a cab to get her home andshe could phone Violet and get a ride to work with her. Not that gettingplastered would do much for her first impression in the dating department.

She walked into the Mexican restaurant and found a tall,good-looking blond guy chatting with the hostess. Judging from the way they werelooking at each other, they were obviously enjoying getting to know eachother.

Player, Jenna thought in disgust, and felt a flash of pity forthe guy’s date. Then her mind hiccupped as she recalled Violet’s description ofDr. Mark and realized he very well might be herdate.

She cleared her throat, and they both looked up. The hostesslooked annoyed while the guy gave Jenna a not-very-subtle once-over. He movedtoward her and smiled, showing dimples that only enhanced his looks.

“Please tell me you’re Jenna,” he said in a low sexy voice. “Ifnot, will you pretend to be?”

She wasn’t sure if she should be flattered or insulted.

“I’m Jenna,” she said, figuring the truth was always a goodfallback position.

“I’m Mark.” He took her hand, then brought it to his mouthwhere he lightly kissed her fingers. “I owe Violet big-time.” He led her to thehostess.

“Table for two, somewhere private.”

The girl he’d been flirting with flashed him the hate stare,but he didn’t notice. Jenna got the message, though.

Note to self, she thought. Violet wasn’t kidding about this guybeing a player. Absolutely no emotional engagement was allowed.

As they were shown to a quiet table in back, Jenna tried tofigure out if she could really have sex with a stranger. Mark was handsomeenough and obviously practiced, but her body had never been one to perform oncommand. The theory of rebound sex was interesting, but she wasn’t sure it wasfor her.

When they were seated, Mark moved his chair closer to hers.“Hello, Violet’s friend. I understand you’re new in town.”

“I’ve been back a couple of months.”

“Back from where?”

“Los Angeles.”

He studied her appraisingly. “I can see you on the beach.”

“I’m not really a beach kind of person. But I did go a fewtimes.”

“I love the beach.”

She stared into his blue eyes. “You love the girls inbikinis.”

His smile was unrepentant. “God gave us beautiful women for areason.”

“So you could admire them?”

“Something like that.”

The waiter appeared. Jenna risked ordering a margarita. Markgot a beer on tap.

She waited until they were alone before angling toward him.“Tell me about yourself.”

“I’m a doctor.” He paused, as if waiting for appropriate oohsand ahhs.

“Violet mentioned that. What kind?”

“Orthopedic surgeon. Show me a broken bone and I’ll healit.”

“Just like Jesus.”

“Almost.” He flashed her a grin, then shifted his chair alittle closer and took one of her hands in both of his. “I’m very good withbodies.”

---