Page 42 of Deal Takers

You’re probably confused, aren’t you? I just said I haven’t had sex in eighteen months. Let me clarify. Derek is my favorite vibrator. Why’d I pick that name, you ask? Oh, let’s just say I have a thing for a certain dreamy doctor on TV.

“And would you please stop referring to your lady bits by that stupid name?” Devyn continues. “There’s a woman at my office named Gina, and I cringe anytime someone says it. Besides, a year-and-a-half is nothing. Before I met Jackson, I had you beat by a long shot and my girly parts workedjust fine.”

I ignore her comment about Gina because we both know I’m not gonna stop.

“Yeah, but you were a single mom trying to get your footing in life. And you were pregnant before that. That’s much better than being a magnet for losers. I’m thirty-three, Devyn. Let’s face it. I’m no spring chicken. If I have any hope of finding the future father of my child, I need to actually find someone worthy of a second date.”

She laughs. “Okay, first of all, thirty-three isnotold. You help deliver babies for a living, Lorraine. You know more than anyone how many women give birth later in life these days.”

“I know,” I mutter.

“Besides,” she continues. “I happen to know an extremely attractive man who’d love to go out with you. Poor Brody is just waiting for you to throw him a bone.”

“Ugh,poor Brodyis waiting for the chance toboneme. There’s a difference. If I was just looking for a hookup, I’d have a Tinder account. I want arelationship, Devyn. We both know Brody is pretty much allergic to monogamy.”

She laughs. “Okay, so Brody’s off the table. Although, as a side note, I don’t think you’re giving him enough credit. What about the new obstetrician who has been asking you out?”

I shake my head furiously, even though she can’t see me. “No way.”

“You said you’re attracted to him, right?”

“I’m pretty sure every woman at Memorial has the hots for Dr. Thomas.”

“So why not give it a shot, Lorraine? You can’t write off all doctors just because you had a bad experience with one.”

“Understatement of the year,” I mutter.

Her voice softens. “I know, honey. I really do get it—Adam scarred you, and it will take time for those wounds to heal. But you work in a hospital. You’re surrounded by doctors. And this Dr. Thomas guy isnotAdam.”

I sigh. “I don’t know, Dev.”

“C’mon, Rainey. You already have things in common, working in the same field. You’re both single and attracted to each other. Why not agree to one date and see where it goes from there?”

I bite my thumb, something I always do when I’m nervous. “You really think I should?”

“I really think you should,” Devyn says with the utmost confidence.

Okay then. I guess I’ve got myself a date with a doctor.

CHAPTER 29

Rainey

“So, how was your date?” Devyn asks.

I put my head on the table with an audiblethunkand groan. “Ugh, can we change the subject please?”

She shakes my forearm until I sit up. “What do you mean? I thought you really liked him.”

I pick up my wine glass and down half its contents before answering. “I did really like him. That’s the worst part.”

Her brows furrow in confusion. “You’re not making sense, Lorraine.”

I glance over to the pool tables to make sure the guys are still engrossed in their game. “You know how much I was looking forward to it. It was ourthird date,and I was really hoping the evening would end in orgasms.”

“And?”

“And…it was heading in that direction until things came toa grinding halt. We were fooling around, but when it got to a certain point, I just couldn’t go through with it.”

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