Page 6 of Baby Maker

“Not a concern, so much as a request.” Grabbing a napkin, he scribbles down a name in his illegible scrawl. “Give this guy a call.”

I study the napkin. “Keegan Russo. I hate to break it to you, Simon, but a man will make a terrible choice for a surrogate.”

“Aren’t you all piss and vinegar this morning? He’s a reproductive endocrinologist.”

“Okay, I understood one word in that title.”

Simon and Bridget exchange grins before devolving into laughter.

“What’s so damn funny? Did I mispronounce the bloke’s name? It is a bloke, right?”

“Yes. He’s most definitely male.”

“All man,” Bridget chimes in, winking at me and earning a glare from her husband.

“So, what’s with the chuckles?”

Simon leans in as if letting me in on a government secret. “They call him the Baby Maker. That’s his unofficial official title.”

“The Baby Maker?” I toss the napkin down to the table. “No thanks. I get a bad feeling from this one already. Besides, why would I need a reproductive… whatever he is?”

“Call him, Calliope. He’s a genius in the field of reproduction. They call him the Baby Maker because he’s helped so many couples—and single women—become parents. Hence, the Baby Maker.”

“That’s not the only reason.” Bridget can barely contain her laughter as her husband shoots her yet another glare. “He’s also gorgeous. Every woman dreams of making a baby with him.”

“Better not be every woman,” Simon grumbles, taking a large swallow from his glass.

“Is someone jealous?” Bridget leans over, giving him a kiss on the cheek. “Seriously, Calli. You should go see him.”

“For his brain or his brawn?” I question, unable to hold back a smile when my friends fall into laughter again. Bunch of bastards. They’re lucky I love them.

“Both, I suppose, but be forewarned. He’s a ladies’ man. Total player. But one hell of a doctor.”

I slip the napkin into my purse, holding up my glass in a toast. “I’ve no interest in Dr. Keegan Russo unless he can make me a mother.”

“So she says now.” My friend clinks my glass, but I see yet another round of laughter on her lips.

“Seriously, Bridget, how good looking can he be?”

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