“Excuse me, no you didn’t just shake me off, and don’t think I didn’t notice how you flipped the script on me right there.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Mmhmm, sure you don’t.” Claudia rose to her feet and held her hand out to help Adeline up. “Come on. We’re going.”

Adeline accepted her hand, and Claudia tossed Adeline’s jacket over her arm.

“You never told me why we came to this store.”

Claudia arched a brow and twisted her lips. How should she tell her mother she came for lingerie to wear this evening for her husband?

“Never mind. You took too long to answer, so I must not need to know.”

Claudia chuckled. “You’re about to find out any second now,” she said, heading for the lingerie section.

* * *

Dr. David Youngknocked twice on the clinic door then announced himself as he entered.

“Good afternoon, I’m Dr. Young.” He held out a hand for a shake. “How are you today?”

Jaden accepted Dr. Young’s hand for a single strong shake. He appeared middle-aged, and gray hair sprinkled the sides of his close-cropped hairline. Jaden was put in the mind of George Clooney at first glance.

“I’ve been better. How are you, doctor?”

“I’m good, thanks for asking.”

“Has anyone ever told you—”

“I look like George Clooney,” he finished.

Jaden chuckled, and Dr. Young nodded.

“All the time. It’s no problem. I’m used to it, though I could contest that I look better.”

The men sprinkled out a heavy chuckle. “What brings you here to see me, Mr. Rose?”

“A friend referred you. My wife and I have been trying to get pregnant for about a year now, and we’re not having much luck.”

Dr. Young nodded. “Okay. Have you had any surgeries?”

“No, sir, I haven’t.”

“Do you take any current prescriptions?”

“No.”

Dr. Young ran a keen eye over Jaden. You look like a pretty healthy fella.” He eyed the bulge in Jaden’s biceps through his button-down shirt and swept his peering gaze across the solid expanse of his chest. “What does your workout regime consist of?”

“Every day, I run at five a.m. for six miles before breakfast. Four days a week, I add strength training. Two days a week, water sports.”

Impressed, Dr. Young nodded. “I can believe it. You look great, and that’s insane for a married fella.”

Jaden smirked. “She reaps the benefits, trust me.”

The men guffawed again.

“Do you smoke tobacco?”