Page 18 of Both Sides Now

There go my cheeks again, turning a lovely shade of lobster. At this point, I might as well paint my face red and save my body the trouble.

I clear my throat, while my brain tries to figure out how to scale back my previous statement. "Not that I'm calling you sexy. I mean, you are—obviously. Look at you. It's no wonderwomen call you the Baby Maker. You're gorgeous. Fuck, I’m going to go die now before I say anything more.”

His eyes widen with every sentence, as a smile pulls at the corners of his mouth. By the end of my mortifying diatribe, he's grinning from ear to ear.

I grab my purse and scoot my chair back from the table.

Well, that takes the cake as the most embarrassing moment of my life. That's the trouble; when I get flustered, I leteverythingflow from my brain to my mouth with nary a filter in sight. Lucky for me, it rarely happens.

In fact, I haven't been this flustered since the night I met Charlie.

Until now.

And now, I need to find a new reproductive … whatever Shawn called him. A new Baby Maker.

Keegan reaches across the table, grasping my arm. "No way. You don't get to rush off now. I can sit here and listen to you sing my praises all damn day."

I bury my face in my hand and avoid looking in his direction. Not that it matters. The heat radiating from my face could melt an iceberg. "I don't know why I said all that."

"Could it be because you meant it?" His question isn't cocky or sarcastic. Instead, there's a hint of uncertainty lacing his words, as if he wonders about the authenticity of my statements.

I pull my face from my hand and offer up a rueful smile. "How do I answer that without sounding like a crazed stalker?"

Another smile splits his face. Lord, but I'm in trouble with this man’s smile.

"I promise, I don't think you're a stalker or crazy." He squeezes my hand, that delicious dimple on full display. "It actually made my morning."

Even though I doubt the comely doctor much cares what Ithink of him—or his five o’clock shadow—I appreciate the camaraderie.

“Glad to be of service." I glance at my phone, noting the time. “This has been fun, but I have to get going."

"Are you sure you're not just running off?"

"Not at all. I have a legitimate excuse. I told my staff I’d drop by the wellness center this afternoon.”

Keegan shoots me a quizzical glance. “I didn’t realize you owned the center.”

“Six years now. It’s called Blissful Balance.”

His brows raise. Seems I've piqued the man’s interest. "Where is it?"

"A few blocks from here, up on Cheshire. I haven't been there in a while, and I figured it was about time to show my face. Proof of life, I suppose.”

"Getting back out in the world, Calli?" Keegan’s gaze holds mine, daring me to look away.

"Something like that. Baby steps. This was wonderful. Embarrassing and mortifying—for me at least—but wonderful all the same. Thank you, Keegan." I extend my hand, wondering if he feels the same tingle when his fingers grasp mine in a warm cocoon.

"I'd like to see your wellness center.”

"You should come by for a class or a treatment.”

“Or, I could walk with you now."

I blink, surprised by his unexpected offer. "Oh. Okay. That would be nice.”

His phone rings, and I spy the name of the caller.

Megan.

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