Anything but Love by Celya Bowers Read Free Book Online Page B

insurance.”
    He chuckled. “I know just how you feel. My wife was just caught in the downsizing crunch and I share your sentiment about jobs.”
    “How are we doing for the rest of this year?” Kendall braced herself for the bad news.
    “Actually, you’re doing pretty good and have the remainder of the year wired. But if you want to start handling cancer victims, that’s going to require a full time person. Well, two actually. Possibly a department.”
    Kendall hadn’t planned on a whole department. Maybe a therapist, a doctor, but not much else. A department would entail too much. She sighed in defeat. “Okay, maybe we could outsource that.”
    The accountant nodded. “Very sensible.”
    But then she thought about what that sensible decision would cost a child. “Forget that. I’m doing the cancer center. I’ll just have to start doing fundraisers or something. Outsourcing is part of the problem. We have to start taking care of our own problems and not farm them out to someone else.”
    “Now that sounds like the Dr. Matthews I know. But to do that, we’re going to have to get a game plan.”
    Kendall smiled back at her accountant. “I’m already working on it,” she said, brimming with confidence. “I’m actually meeting with one of my board members for dinner later. I’m sure that between the two of us we’ll come up with something.”
    * * *
    Something indeed, Kendall thought as she walked into her favorite restaurant and jazz club. Brooklyn’s was an upscale eatery situated on the edge of Dallas. It hosted only the best jazz musicians on their way to stardom.
    After such a grueling day of meetings, consultations, and sonograms, she was ready for a night of relaxation. She wanted no baby talk, and definitely no Cole talk. She knew she’d get both with her best friend, Staci Diaz.
    She walked through the entryway not giving one thought to the many men staring at her. This was her night, and no man was going to ruin it.
    “Hello, Dr. Matthews, Dr. Diaz is waiting for you.” The young man smiled at her as he escorted her to her favorite table.
    “Thank you, Dante. Who’s playing tonight?”
    “Oh, it’s a special treat. Javier and the Boys are doing a set. You got here just in time. It’s probably going to be packed in another hour.”
    “I thought Javier was out of the country on tour.” Javier Maxwell was a hometown boy and had played at Brooklyn’s over the years. He had been rewarded with a huge recording contract the year before and was promoting his new CD.
    “He flies out to London tomorrow.” They arrived at Staci’s table. “I’ll make sure he comes and says hello.” He pulled the chair out so Kendall could take a seat.
    “Thank you, Dante. And tell your dad hello for me.”
    He handed Kendall a menu. “You know Pops is going to give you a shout the minute I tell him you’re here. He still can’t thank you enough.”
    Kendall smiled ruefully. “How is Kenyon?”
    “Running us all ragged. Who knew my dad getting remarried would lead to me having a little brother with the energy of five kids? But he’s a blessing. That’s what my stepmom says.”
    Kendall nodded. “You know you love it. I’ve seen you with him.”
    Dante smiled, his white teeth contrasting with his dark-chocolate skin. “Yeah, you got me, Doc. He’s the best birth control I know. When my boys get a load of him, they’re running to the drugstore.” He bowed and left the table.
    “Well, Doctor, what is that we have on and when can I borrow it?”
    Kendall unfolded the linen napkin and placed it on her lap. “This is what we in fashion circles call a dress. You remember, I bought it in Paris last year. And no, you cannot borrow it, because it would drag the floor since you’re only five-two.”
    Staci laughed. “Only because you’re eight inches taller than me. I could still wear it and have my husband’s tongue hanging out of his mouth.”
    Kendall didn’t doubt it for one minute. “You could