Page 10 of Doctor Daddy

Angela gave me one of her side-eye glances. “What does the gala have to do with wearing pastels?”

“I kind of met a guy at the event.”

She leaned in close. Her grip on her burrito tightened, and then she looked at it before putting it down and wiping her hands on some napkins. “You met a guy?”

“Well, I wouldn’t exactly say met. I’d say banged him in a closet while my parents were having cocktails and schmoozing.”

“You did not? Never mind, of course, you did. Tell me he was hot.”

I shook my head. Mark was more than hot. “He’s smoking hot. But it gets better. He’s a doctor.”

Angela leaned back with a bold laugh. “I was hoping you were gonna say he was one of those super-rich trustees, and you scored yourself a sugar daddy. You know the type, ain’t nobody ugly with that many zeros in their bank account.”

“He’s daddy material all right. And he’s a doctor.”

“You didn’t? Is he one of those silver foxes, all distinguished and yummy?”

I laughed. “Not that old.”

“Please tell me he’s got the sugar.” She rubbed her thumb against her fingers indicating money.

“He’s a doctor, I’m sure he’s got the bank.”

“And where do pastels fit into all of this?”

“You know pale colors just wash me out and make me look sick.”

She nodded.

“He’s going to see me in those ghastly colors. He works in my building.”

“No!”

I nodded and hung my head in anticipation of the embarrassment of Mark seeing me looking like crap in pale colors.

5

MARK

The elevator doors closed, blocking Brooke from my view. She was smiling and tucking her dark hair behind an ear. A soft pink highlighted her cheeks. That beautiful view was replaced with a distorted reflection of my face. I grimaced. I’d much rather be looking at her.

I was in a good mood, put there by Brooke’s smile. My entire morning dragged. I wasn’t much for running out the door during my breaks, but today I was eager to leave, hoping to see Brooke again. I was disappointed when the elevators opened on the ground floor and instead of seeing Brooke, another woman sat there.

I should have known. The odds of having Brooke work in my building were low. The rest of my day went about as any other regular day did. I ran through my appointments, but nothing unexpected. Mrs. Riley came waddling in, a delight of crankiness as always.

“I expected a call from you or your husband this weekend, Mrs. Riley,” I said as I stepped into the exam room.

“If I had my choice in the matter, I would have called you a week ago.”

I chuckled. I found her late pregnancy attitude entertaining. I knew I shouldn’t, she was uncomfortable, not getting much sleep, but with two previous kids, none of this should have come as a surprise.

“I’m ready for you to take this kid out.” She lay back and put her feet up in the stirrups as I swung them into place.

“Let’s see if this kid is ready.” I pulled on a pair of exam gloves and began checking out the baby.

I placed my hand on her belly and felt to see if she had begun dilating.

“Baby is in a good position. Head has dropped.” I took a moment to check my measurements. “You’re about two to three centimeters. Any contractions yet?”