Page 72 of Already Home

He hesitated.

“You’re not going to tell me you were waiting for the universeto tell you it was time, are you?” she asked before she could stop herself.

He laughed. “No. I don’t communicate much with the universe.That would be your mother.”

Birth mother, Jenna corrected silently. “How much did she tellyou?”

He looked startled. “About what?”

“The adoption. Our relationship.”

“Oh.” His expression relaxed. “That she gave you up foradoption when she was a teenager and recently she’s reentered your life.”

Jenna had a feeling he knew a whole lot more than he wassaying, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to find out what.

Their server appeared. They both ordered wine.

When the woman had left, Jenna said, “Why haven’t you beendating? It can’t be for lack of opportunity.”

He laughed. “Thanks for the compliment. I suppose it’s acombination of things. I won’t date a client.”

“Hearts are breaking all over Georgetown.”

“I’ve had a few women leave my practice because of that,” headmitted. “No one I was truly interested in.”

“Ah, so you are interested in someof your clients.”

“Not at all.”

“That’s what you implied.”

His teeth flashed white as he grinned. “You’re trying to get mein trouble.”

“It’s kind of fun. You’re so perfect.”

“Far from it.”

“Oh, please. Harvard medical school, but it was tootraditional, so you went to China to study there. You’re athletic, spiritual,have a kid, give a great massage, are holistic, but eat meat. Does it get anybetter than that?”

“Many women see my son as a liability.”

“Many women would see him as a bonus.”

The server appeared with their drinks. Ellington asked her togive them a few minutes before ordering.

Jenna took a sip of her drink and studied her date. She enjoyedteasing him, mostly because she sensed he would take it in the spirit she meantit.

“I’m far from perfect,” he said when they were alone. As hespoke, he leaned toward her. “For one, I’m divorced.”

“So am I.”

“My marriage fell apart because I was caught up in my work. Iwould rather have been with a patient than my wife. Or traveling.”

“Was that about you or what was going on at home?”

“Both. It’s hard to stay with someone who travels all the time.Even after Isaiah was born, I spent several months in India every year. Ibelieved that what I was doing was more important than anything else.” He shookhis head. “I wish I could say I was the good guy.”

“What changed?”

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