LITMIR.BIZ

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looked for a job in Las Vegas after coming to the realization that Nick is the best man I know and I want him to father my baby.”

      Avery blinked and stared, speechless for several moments. “The desert heat has cooked your brain cells.”

      “It’s October and not hot. I think you just called me crazy.”

      “No. I’d never say that. But, Ryleigh—” She shook her head. “What are you thinking?”

      “That my biological clock is ticking. I don’t want to take my chances at a sperm bank, and men who are good father material don’t grow on trees. The ones I was meeting just didn’t measure up and I’m not getting any younger.”

      “But Nick is your ex.”

      “So? That doesn’t mean he isn’t good looking. Or smart. He’s a doctor and treats kids with breathing problems. Doesn’t get any better than that.”

      “He is a tough act to follow, I’ll grant you that. But your ex?” Avery said again.

      “Not being able to love me isn’t a deal-breaking biological flaw.”

      Avery put her empty paper plate on the coffee table and grabbed her wineglass. “Does Nick know any of this?”

      “All of it.”

      “And after he requested a psych evaluation?”

      “Stop calling me crazy.” But Ryleigh understood this was coming from a place of sincerity and caring.

      “Did I say the ‘c’ word? It did not come out of my mouth. And don’t keep me in suspense. What was his reaction?”

      In for a penny, in for a pound. “He asked me to move in with him. To make the logistics more—logistical. During my fertile time.” When her friend was quiet, she begged, “Say something, Avery.”

      “How did you talk him into it? Not the moving-in thing, the fathering thing.”

      “I think he feels guilty. For his part of what went wrong in our marriage. But there were also tears involved. I just couldn’t help it when I saw the babies in the nursery. And he happened to be there.”

      Ryleigh hadn’t faked the emotion and couldn’t be sorry it helped convince him. But she’d never forget how good his arms had felt around her. The comfort he’d offered without hesitation. She had no illusion that it came from anywhere besides friendship, but that didn’t diminish her appreciation.

      Avery nodded thoughtfully, processing everything. There was a gleam in her blue eyes when she asked, “You know that having a baby with Nick will require you to have sex with him?”

      “Yes. That’s part of the logistics. So when I’m—you know—he’ll be…you know.”

      “Handy?”

      “Yeah.”

      The expression in her friend’s eyes turned the tiniest bit wicked. “So you haven’t done it yet?”

      “No. Not quite the right time in my cycle.”

      “And I’m going to be Auntie Avery?”

      “With a little luck.”

      “And sex.” Her expression turned serious. “This is me and I’m there for you. Whatever you need. Count on it.”

      “I have no doubt about that.” Ryleigh knew there was more. “But?”

      “I saw what you went through when you and Nick fell apart. I held you when you cried. What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t help you look at this whole thing from every angle?”

      “Just spit it out,” Ryleigh said.

      “Okay. I have to ask. Do you really think you can go through with this and come out unscathed?”

      “By ‘this,’ I’m assuming you mean sex without complications.” When her friend nodded she said, “Men do it all the time.”

      “If God wanted women to be like men, He’d have given us the same equipment. If you have sex with Nick, I’m pretty sure there will be feelings involved. On your part, anyway. I just don’t want you to get hurt again.”

      “I won’t.”

      “Famous last words.”

      “Don’t you see, Avery? From the time I was a little girl, I’ve wanted to be a mother. I want it more than I can put into words and it’s this close.” She held up her thumb and index fingers, a fraction of an inch apart. “Please don’t rain on my parade.”

      “That’s the last thing I’d do.” Avery finished the wine in her glass and set it on the table. She slid closer and leaned in for a hug before saying, “I love the idea of you having a baby, getting what you want. And I’m serious about having aunt status. I just want to make sure you know what you’re doing with Nick.”

      “I appreciate that and if it were you, I’d feel the same way.” Her friend’s eyes darkened for a moment, and she quickly added, “Don’t worry. I’ve thought this through.” Ryleigh met the other woman’s gaze. “I’ve been there, done that. Now I’m over him. Nick can’t hurt me, which makes him the perfect guy.”

      And by her calculations, the perfect time in her cycle was tomorrow.

       Chapter Four

      Today was Monday.

      Nick got out of the shower and dried himself off, then tied the towel around his waist while he shaved—a habit left over from when he was married.

      Normally Monday was his least favorite day, as it was for most people. But his schedule wasn’t like most people’s and he often saw patients seven days a week, blurring them all together.

      Except Monday.

      That’s when the paperwork, billing and loose ends from a busy weekend had to be managed and cleaned up. Between seeing sick kids in his office and the ones admitted to the hospital, the hours from nine to five were all spoken for. That left the evening to sort out everything else.

      At least this Monday would start out better than most. If the smell of coffee drifting to him was anything to go by, Ryleigh was in the kitchen. He’d missed her last night when she’d gone to see Avery. Stupid to miss her. He’d pushed the feeling away after she moved to the East Coast. Why would it get through now when she was back? But questioning the why of it didn’t make the reality any less true.

      She’d been living with him—correction: she’d been living under his roof—for two days, and one evening without her had felt lonelier than any he could remember since the divorce. In hindsight, asking her to move in was probably a bonehead move, but there was no way to undo it without looking like a complete ass. He wasn’t willing to go there.

      He combed his hair, spritzed cologne on his bare chest, then dressed in jeans and a cotton shirt. It was his belief that a suit and tie intimidated little kids, or maybe that was just rationalization. Either way he was comfortable.

      At least he was until walking into the kitchen. His body went hot and hard at the sight of Ryleigh. Her back was to him, but she had a pretty spectacular rear view. She was wearing a red suit and four-inch come-and-get-me heels. The skirt probably hit her just above the knee and left what seemed like a mile of leg showing. Her shiny brown hair teased the jacket collar and he ached to nudge the silky strands aside and kiss her neck.

      She used to moan and quiver, then rotate into his arms when he did that. This was one of those times that hindsight was twenty/twenty. He hadn’t kissed her neck often enough when he’d had the chance and the right.

      Moving farther into the room, he cleared his throat.

      “Hey.”

      “Good morning.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Want

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