Starting with a Kiss

“So much for being subtle,” she murmured, sinking down onto the sofa. “Who shares this consensus?” The gossip had been even more widespread than she’d suspected if Greg Hastings was hearing it.

“That’s not important. Is it correct?”

“No.” Honesty nudged. “Well, sort of, maybe.”

“I hope you don’t give diagnoses that way.”

“No, I don’t. And this conversation is over.”

She hung up. If she could turn back the clock, she’d never have agreed to Kim’s outlandish suggestion. But of course if she could turn back the clock, she’d make sure Carol never got into a car that fateful day.

When the phone rang again, she snatched it up.

“Now what?”

“I can’t believe a woman with your looks has any trouble holding on to a man.”

“Your assessment means so much to me.” She couldn’t believe she was having this conversation.

“A problem shared is a problem halved. Want to tell me about it?”

“Not at all, but thank you for your kind bedside manner.”

“Ah, if you’re going to start talking dirty, Doctor, I need to pull over.”

“Huh?”

“Bed and all.”

Abby blinked. Was that teasing note coming from the no-nonsense, dedicated surgeon, super doctor-stud Greg Hastings?

“Let me assure you I haven’t the faintest idea of how to talk dirty or flirt. That’s part of the problem. Not that I need to tell you any more. Good night, Doctor!”

“I’ll call back. Persistence is one of my strong points.”

She could think of a few other things to call it. “Why the interest? To feed the rumor mill?”

“Ah, thanks for your high regard. Actually I’m on a reconnaissance mission for Rose.”

“Who will then feed the rumor mill?”

“I doubt it. She seems to attract information like a magnet does iron filings, but rarely spreads it—except to me, of course.”

“Now you want to return the favor?”

“Actually, I’ll admit to being curious myself.”

“It’s no big deal, and probably a very tired, familiar story. I thought there was more to a relationship than a certain man thought.”

“Jeb Stuart.”

Abby caught her breath. Greg was too sharp. “I didn’t mention any names.”

“I could feel the tension between the two of you at the banquet. And I have eyes. The woman he was with was a knockout. Hence the change of style on your part, I suspect.”

“Which did nothing but make me look like an idiot.”

“I don’t know. I liked the dress.”

Abby doggedly continued, “I wanted a change, but obviously I don’t have a clue about how to do it.”

“Do it?”

She blinked and frowned. “Make the change.” Heat flooded at the echo of his words. Suddenly she wondered what it would be like to do it with Greg Hastings. What would it be like to kiss him, have those surgeon’s hands touch her intimately? Have his mouth cover her with passion? Pushing away the image, she frowned. Even fantasy had its limits, and this was one in which she dared not indulge. How would she ever face him at the hospital if she spent her free time daydreaming about the two of them together, intimately entwined?

It was warm in the apartment. She rose and walked to the window to crack it open a bit.

Intimate images refused to be dispelled, and began to dance in her mind again. Suddenly she envisioned him pursuing a reluctant female until she was totally captivated—just as Rose predicted.

“I guess I don’t understand why you want a change. You’re never going to look like that woman with Jeb last week. If that’s his type, you don’t have a chance.”

“I heard you have a reputation for blunt speaking. Thanks for offering hope.”

“False hope does no one any good. Are you hung up on Jeb Stuart?”

“Of course not! But I’m not exactly flooded with invitations for dates, either.” She took a deep breath, deciding she knew where this was leading. “Don’t worry that you’ll be coerced into taking me to the ball. I’ll find someone by then!”

She closed her eyes. Had she really told him all that?

“You make it sound like a quest, or a challenge. I bet I could get you lined up with someone with no trouble.”

“Great, another setup. I didn’t like Dr. Taylor’s solution, so I don’t want yours. I have to go. Please forget we had this conversation.”

She hung up the phone and headed for the bedroom. Even if he called back, she’d refuse to pick up. She’d had enough—and revealed far too much!

Only Carol had known why she felt uncertain around men. She’d been the only one to whom Abby had given the full details of her fiasco with Terry Bolton. She couldn’t seem to shake the lasting anxiety in her own femininity that debacle had engendered. Well, not anxiety precisely. More distrust. Uncertainty. She didn’t trust her own instincts anymore.

Getting ready for bed, she thought about Jeb. She’d misread that situation, obviously. But they’d been friends for so long. And when Carol died, they’d seem to become even closer. Nothing had ever been said, so when had she begun to assume they’d get married one day?

By Saturday, Abby’s curiosity about Greg’s sister’s boutique had grown. Dressing casually in dark brown slacks and a cream blouse, she decided to spend the morning just browsing. For a few minutes she debated enlisting Kim’s help, but decided against it. Somehow the dress Kim had talked her into hadn’t been the success she’d hoped for.

She could hear the echo of Jeb’s scathing comment.

Then she remembered what Greg had said. Maybe it hadn’t been totally bad.

It was early when she reached Maiden Lane. None of the trendy shops were yet opened. Passing time by gazing into the windows, Abby questioned what she was doing. Just because some arrogant man had suggested she try the boutique wasn’t any real reason to do so. If she had her way, Dr. Greg Hastings would never know whether she had taken his advice or not. So why was she here?

The shop she stood in front of opened its doors. She checked her watch and headed back down the short street to the boutique. Finding it now open, she entered and was immediately impressed with its understated elegance. The place was larger than it looked from the small storefront, displaying suits, dresses and evening wear with loving care. To the right, frothy undergarments denoted the small lingerie section.