Magda Malone jammed her hands in the pockets of her white lab coat and felt the fabric rip. Just what she needed to add a bit of anger to what she’d just been asked to do. Why wouldn’t he understand no meant absolutely not?
Her jaw
clenched. The temptation to commit an
act of violence hovered like a giant thunderhead. She stared out the window of her office on
the fifth floor of
Sucking
in a deep breath, she turned to her colleague and friend. At the moment, she wasn’t sure friend was
operative. “Would you repeat your
question?”
“Could
you come to dinner tonight?” the cardiologist
asked.
That
wasn’t the portion of the original question she wanted to hear. “I believe there was more.”
“Like I
said. Nothing formal. It’s not a party or anything.”
“Come
on. Say what you said before. I need to be sure I’m not going deaf.”
“Lin
and I want you to meet my new partner.
He’s her cousin and a really great guy.”
Magda
glared. “Ben, I’m not letting you off
the hook. What did you want me to do
with this man?”
He
studied his hands. “Was just a
suggestion, not an order.”
“And
that was?”
“You
can show him a good time.” He joined her
at the window.
She
arched a brow. “A good time as
in...” Her voice trailed away. She thought she had grasped his suggestion,
but she wanted to hear the words repeated.
Then she would stomp. “Does your
wife know you’re soliciting?”
“What?” His round face reddened. “That’s not what I...well,
maybe...just...couldn’t you make him happy to be in Rivertown? If you two don’t click, you could show him
around the...dating scene. You know what
I mean. Lin and I want him to settle
here.”
Magda
shook her head. “Spit it out,
Doctor.” Anger oozed from the dark
corner and colored her voice. “Just how
do I accomplish your purpose?”
He
stared at the window. “Anything it
takes.”
“No
deal.” She clipped the words. Would he understand why she was so angry?
“Mag,
come on. Wasn’t I there for you when you
needed a shoulder. I need a partner who
will stay, especially now.”
Magda
sighed. Ben and Linda had been there
when she’d needed them, but he was asking for too much. “Why me?”
“Men
like you. You like them and --”
“Don’t
say it.” She stalked to the desk and
stared at the stack of folders needing her attention. “I don’t want to lose a good friend, but
you’re treading on the brink.”
“I
didn’t mean you had to...you know...”
She
rested her hands on the cool metal surface.
“Let us set the record straight.
I choose the men I want in my life.
I don’t need anyone, not even a good friend, fixing me up with a man.”
“I hear
you.” He sank on the chair across from
the desk. “Lin said you’re bored with
the local dating scene. Come to
dinner. If you don’t like Eric, you can
leave. If you do, who knows what will
happen. Give me one good reason you’re
being so stubborn.”
Was the
invitation his idea or his wife’s? Sure
she’d told her friend about the lack of interesting and eligible men in the
area. Did it matter who had dreamed up
this scheme? She wasn’t about to
accept. Her friends had heard her views
time and again. She wasn’t about to
repeat them. “What do I always say?”
“You
don’t play where you work.”
“Sounds
like you’ve heard me.”
“But
--”
“Been
there. Done that. Got burned.”
He
rolled his eyes. “But you received a
nice divorce settlement. Give my new
partner a chance. What can you lose?”
My
independence, she thought. “Goodbye,
Ben.” She pointed to the door. “There’s a large flock of available women out
there who would be glad, even eager, to meet an available doctor. I can name a dozen who are closer to his
age.”
“So
he’s a bit younger. What’s seven
years?” He backed to the door.
“Almost
half a generation. See you.”
He
opened the door. “Eric has a thing for
older women.”
“Good
for him. Ask Mabel Gray to dinner.”
“Older. Not ancient.”
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