Page 1 of Wicked Little Secret

Prologue

Olivia

“I’m not really sure what you expect me to say, Liv. You specialize in this—you know your options probably better than I do.”

Olivia slumped back in her chair as she looked across the desk at her best friend and business partner.

“I know Rose. I just—I don’t know, was hoping I was missing something.”

“There are really only two options, my friend. You get knocked up the old-fashioned way—”

Olivia snorted. “Well, since I haven’t had sex since Casey Montoya dumped me almost a year ago…”

“Ugh. Inigo the douchebag. You dodged a bullet with that one, babe.”

“I know that now. I just wish I wouldn’t have wasted three years of my life with him.”

“That’s on him. He strung you along.”

“That’s true. But now I’m the one with the expiring biological clock.”

Casey had promised her he wanted to get married and have kids; he just wanted to wait until he was promoted. Then he got the promotion and he wanted to wait until he bought a new car, then when he had saved more money. Finally, when she turned thirty-seven and knew her time to get pregnant was running out, she announced she was going off birth control, and he promptly ended their relationship—only to start dating a co-worker ten years his junior a week later. He swore nothing had happened while they’d been together, but Olivia found the timing awfully suspicious.

So, she was back to square one, only this time she was four years older and had no prospects in the baby daddy department.

“Or you go to the sperm bank.”

Olivia sighed in resignation. “And pay thousands of dollars for something that might not work.”

“Come on, it’s not like you’re struggling for money.”

“And I’d like to keep it that way. If it didn’t work the first time, then I’d be invested and would need to keep trying. Then,poof!Before I knew it, my savings would be gone. If I’m going to be a single mom, I’m going to need that financial safety net for other things.” She rubbed her temples. “I don’t know what to do. I’m almost thirty-eight; I don’t have a lot of time here.”

Rose gave her a sympathetic smile. “When do you ovulate next?”

“I’m ovulating now.”

“Well, maybe by next month you’ll have met someone.”

“Even if I did, I think a month might be a little too soon to suggest having a baby without him running for the hills.”

“That’s true.”

Olivia appreciated her friend at least commiserating with her and trying to think of solutions.

“Have you talked to Scott about a professional courtesy discount? Lord knows we’ve referred enough patients to him.”

She sighed. “He said he’ll waive the admin fee, but that’s really all he can do without losing money.”

Rose grinned. “Maybe pull one of the thoracic guys into the doctor’s lounge and do him bareback. Rumor is Dr. Stone is a stallion.”

“Yeah, ‘causethatwouldn’t be a problem in about four months when I start to show. And, ew, those guys are whores. I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t go without a condom. God, at least I hope not.”

Her friend waggled her eyebrows. “Well, you could find out and report back.”

“I’ll pass.” She put her hands on her thighs and announced, “Alright, it’s late. I’m going to stop at Flannigan’s for some takeout and head home.”

Olivia stood up and Rose walked around her desk to accompany her to the door.

---