Page 11 of Baby Maker

Chapter Three

Calliope

"Well, what did you think?" Bridget inquires, and I hold back a laugh. I can almost see her on the other end of the line, perched on the edge of her sofa, desperate for some good gossip.

"He's amazing in bed. He has the most talented cock."

"What?" Her high-pitched squeal sounds through the receiver. "Stop with your nonsense. I'm serious. Do you like him as a doctor?"

"I do. He's amenable, and his work history is impeccable. Thank you for recommending him." I fail to mention that Dr. Russo's dark good looks have been dancing on a repeat reel through my brain the last few days, even dropping in for a surprise visit in my slumber.

"Didn't I tell you he was gorgeous?"

"That he is." And that is the understatement of the century. The man looks like he walked off the pages of GQ with his tousled dark hair, bright blue eyes, and chiseled jawline. He's not your average level handsome. Not by any stretch. Devastatingly handsome is a far better term to describe Dr. Keegan Russo. Likely devastating to any number of women who fall for the effortless charm oozing from every pore of his body.

He's tricky, indeed. But what a delicious way to go.

"That's it?"

"What do you want me to say? You two admitted he was a total player, not that I'm looking for any kind of relationship. I don't know if I'll ever date again."

"I remember those days."

Bridget's words aren't the platitudes of a sympathetic friend. They're the truth. She went through hell when Ben died, and it took her years to find her footing again. Then I introduced her to Simon, and despite every effort, they couldn't help but fall in love. Stubborn asses fought it for as long as possible, but I reminded them that love always wins in the end.

Just not in my case.

"Calliope, I know it feels like you're drowning in sorrow. That it's endless and bottomless. There will always be days that feel like they're swallowing you whole. But there will also be days where you will laugh, and eventually, you'll remember Nigel without shedding a tear."

"I'm so not there yet," I manage, wiping my eyes with the heel of my hand. "I suppose it should be easier, right? I had time to prepare for his death."

"That's total crap. No one can prepare for someone they adore to die. It's just what we tell ourselves to feel better. More normal, somehow."

"He was the love of my life. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do with the rest of it now."

"I know it seems impossible to consider, but maybe you have more than one love in this life."

"No, I don't. He was it. I'm finished."

"We'll see. I don't think love is finished with you yet. Talk soon."

I head to my yoga mat after the phone call, my mind swimming with emotions. Bridget understands my pain in a way most can't. She is a young widow, just like me. All her life plans crashed around her ears with Ben's death. And she swore that was it for her, just as I do now.

But her life is different. She met Simon, and they clicked. Even from the beginning, there was a friendship, a camaraderie there.

I haven't met anyone. Granted, to do that, I have to actually leave the house, since walking Domino around my yard doesn't count as social interaction.

I catch sight of my pup, laying on her back, her tongue lolling to one side as she soaks in a sunbeam.

Popping up from my mat, I shake her leash, and she is by my side in seconds. "Want to go for a walk? A real walk, one that involves a car ride first?"

I grab my jacket from the coat rack and follow Domino out the door. Some fresh air will do us both good, and Rhode Island is showing off this morning. Spring has sprung early.

Time to take advantage.

* * *

There aresome perks to living close to Main Street, one of them being a Starbucks smack dab in the middle of town.

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