Chapter 2
Two
Jack strode into Dr. O’Neal’s office, pulling his rolling case of samples behind him.
He worked for a major pharmaceutical company that produced a variety of drugs.
His job included delivering these drugs to doctors in his assigned area of Rochester, Michigan.
Jack had gone into medical sales because jobs were plentiful, profitable, and offered opportunities for advancement.
His goal was to become a sales manager instead of toting drugs around and schmoozing doctors. Although it had its advantages.
Missy, Dr. O’Neal’s receptionist, greeted him. “Hello, Jack.”
“Hey, Missy. How’s it going?”
“Better now that you’re here.”
Jack chuckled. He and Missy had been flirting for months, but he had done nothing about it. It went with the job, and he didn’t take it seriously. “Is the doc in?”
“He’s with a patient right now, but he should be done in a few minutes. Would you like some coffee?”
“Sure. If you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. Be right back.” Missy went into an alcove with a coffee station.
While her back was turned, Jack perused her, noting her curves in the scrubs. Missy was attractive, but she didn’t knock his socks off. Sadly, nobody had knocked his socks off in quite a while.
Missy returned and handed him a Styrofoam cup. “Here you go.”
“Thanks.”
She watched him while he sipped the lukewarm coffee. “So, Jack. I have a question for you.”
“Shoot.”
“Are you single?”
Caught off guard, he stared at her. He’d expected a professional question, not a personal one.
She giggled nervously. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”
Jack quickly recovered. “No. It’s fine.” He paused. “I have a girlfriend,” he blurted out.
Her shoulders slumped. “I figured.”
“I’m flattered you asked, though.”
Missy gave him a wobbly smile. Then, Dr. O’Neal appeared and interrupted their awkward exchange.
“Jack. Good to see you,” the doctor said.
“You too. Can I steal a few minutes of your time?” Jack asked.
Dr. O’Neal looked at Missy.
“Your next appointment is in fifteen minutes,” she said.
Dr. O’Neal smiled at Jack. “C’mon back.”
Jack wheeled his case through the door that led to the examining rooms, glancing at Missy as he went past. She’d sat down and her gaze was pinned to her computer screen.
Jack followed the doctor into his private office and conducted business as usual.
On the way out, he stopped to say goodbye to Missy, but she was talking to a patient and didn’t acknowledge him.
As he drove to his next appointment, Jack felt guilty for lying to Missy. If Kayla agreed to move in with him, he’d have to continue lying for the next six weeks. Or I could scrap this crazy idea!
Just then, his phone rang, and Kayla’s name appeared on the display. Speak of the devil. She’s not the devil. I am. “Hey,” he answered.
“Hey. Do you have time to meet for lunch today?”
They often met for lunch, since they worked in the neighboring communities of Rochester and Troy. “I’m on my way to an appointment, but I have time afterward.”
“How about noon at Main Street Deli?” Kayla suggested.
“Sure.”
“Great. See you then.” Kayla disconnected before he said goodbye, as she often did.
If she were his real girlfriend, this might become a pet peeve.
Jack hadn’t seen or talked to her in a few days and was dying to know if she was moving in with him.
He suspected she’d give him her answer at lunch.
Alternatively, he could let her off the hook and tell her it had all been a terrible mistake.
If he did that, his mom would revert to wondering if he were gay, and worrying she’d never become a grandmother.
Shaking his head, he pulled into the parking lot of an OB/GYN.
Jack entered the office and glanced around the waiting room at the usual mix of patients.
Some were obviously pregnant with their round bellies and swollen ankles, and some were there for less obvious reasons.
Some women looked nervous, and others resigned, like this was just part of being female.
Jack rolled his case up to the front desk.
“Good morning, Jack, or should I say afternoon?” the receptionist greeted him.
“How are you, Ruby?”
“I’m livin’,” Ruby joked. She was an older Black woman who walked with a limp, but always greeted him with a warm smile.
“I don’t suppose Doctor Jameson can see me,” he said. This was a thriving practice with three doctors on staff, but he was often passed off to a nurse instead.
“The doc is booked solid, but you’re welcome to go back and talk to Becky,” Ruby suggested.
“Becky?”
“She’s new here, but she knows what’s up. You’ll like her.”
“Thanks, Ruby.” He wheeled his case through the door and went back to the nurses’ station. Three heads popped up, and there was only one person he didn’t recognize. “Are you Becky?”
The woman stood. “That’s me.”
“Hello. I’m Jack Peterson.”
“He’s the drug dealer,” one of the other nurses joked.
Becky laughed. “I guessed that from your rolling case.”
“Ruby said you might be able to spare me a few minutes.”
“Sure. Follow me.” Becky led him into a private office where they sat down.
For the next several minutes, Jack gave her his spiel, and Becky listened intently.
She was attractive with shoulder-length blonde hair, light blue eyes, and a ready smile.
He also noticed she wasn’t wearing a ring, which he was in the habit of checking for.
Jack tried not to flirt with married women, though sometimes they flirted with him.
Ruby was right. Becky was bright and efficient. She rattled off some drugs they needed to order, and those that were in full supply. “I’ll be your contact person from now on, so you can ask for me the next time you come in.”
“Sounds good. It was nice meeting you,” Jack said as they both stood. Knowing how busy the office was, he never overstayed. Becky held out her hand and he shook it. Her hand was soft and warm, with neatly trimmed fingernails. Jack held it a bit longer than necessary. “Have a nice day.”
“You too,” she said, smiling widely.
Jack quickly walked away before he was tempted to flirt with her. If Kayla was going to play his girlfriend, he had to adopt the role of her doting boyfriend. Flirting with other women was unacceptable, at least for the next six weeks.
“Goodbye, Ruby,” Jack called on his way out.
“See you next time, sweetie,” Ruby replied.
Sweetie? Jack didn’t feel worthy of the endearment. Liar and scoundrel were more accurate.
A brief time later, he arrived on Main Street in downtown Rochester.
Jack glanced around but didn’t see Kayla’s car.
Knowing her, she’d be five minutes late.
Usually, he laughed at her tardiness, but now it might become another pet peeve.
It’s okay. She’ll only be my girlfriend for six weeks.
Besides, for every one of his pet peeves, she could name two about him.
To his surprise, Kayla pulled up behind him in her white Ford Explorer.
It was a company perk, and he drove a matching black one.
They exited their cars and met on the sidewalk.
Kayla was wearing work clothes—black dress pants, a black and white polka dotted blouse, and black pumps.
Her favorite store was White House Black Market, and her look was sleek and classic.
Jack often saw her like this, but now everything stood out in stark detail.
He gazed at her like she was his girlfriend instead of a coworker and friend.
They entered the deli and lined up behind other businesspeople dressed similarly to them.
None of the women stood out like Kayla did, though.
With her long deep brown hair—today, she wore it wavy—expressive brown eyes, and flawless skin, she was a knockout.
And when she smiled, she was even more beautiful.
Soon, they were seated at a table for two with their sandwiches, potato chips, and soft drinks. Jack took a bite of his BLT, followed by a swig of soda. “So, are you moving in?” he asked.
Kayla held up her index finger while she finished eating a chip. It took forever for her to chew and swallow it, and then she took a long drink of soda. “My day is going well. Thanks for asking,” she snipped at him.
Jack sighed. “Sorry. Let me start over.”
“It’s too late.”
Feeling guilty, he scratched the back of his head. He was striking out with all women today. I must be losing my touch.
“Fine. I’ll put you out of your misery,” Kayla said.
Jack leaned in and waited expectantly.
“Clean out some drawer space. I’m moving in!”