The Holiday Triplets by Jacqueline Diamond Read Free Book Online

the world.”
    True enough. “Frankly, my reaction surprises me, too. I should be worrying about the counseling clinic, not my silly personal issues.”
    â€œEarly menopause is hardly a silly personal issue,” Jennifer said.
    â€œWell, it is personal. But it’s not silly.” Lori eyed a cinnamon-nut muffin passing by on someone’s plate. “You think I worked off enough calories to eat one of those? I’d hate to lose my girlish figure, especially now that I’m single again.” Perhaps realizing that she hadn’t actually been married, she added, “In the totally unattached sense.”
    â€œDo you feel ready to date?” Jennifer asked. “That would be a good sign.”
    Lori shrugged. “Wish I did. Then I might stop obsessing about Jared. Only…every guy I meet, when he finds out I’m an obstetrical nurse, the first thing he says is how much he wants kids. Can you believe it?”
    â€œYes.” To her embarrassment, Samantha felt the sting of tears. What was wrong with her?
    â€œI’m sorry. I keep forgetting you can’t have …” Lori grimaced. “That’s even worse, me dwelling on it.”
    â€œWe should find a neutral topic. Unless you two would rather discuss your…issues.” Jennifer peered from one to the other. “It’s fine with me either way.”
    â€œDo you have to be so nice? ” Sam roared.
    Lori held up her hands. “I’ve got an idea. Let’s talk about somebody we all hate.”
    â€œI don’t hate anyone,” Jennifer said.
    â€œMark,” Sam proposed.
    Lori shook her head. “It’s not his fault he’s booting out the counseling clinic. Besides, I can’t hate him. He’s my doctor.”
    â€œNeither can I. After all, he hired me,” Jennifer reminded them. “And he’s a great boss.”
    Sam didn’t hate him, either. The truth was, she’d done far too much thinking about Mark during the past few days. Did he guess how she melted inside when he drew close? A part of her wished they’d followed up on his suggestion to figure out how to proceed after their kiss. If only the stupid hospital corporation hadn’t thrown a wrench into everything.
    If only I weren’t wildly attracted to the wrong man. “Why do you hate Mark?” Jennifer asked. “Seriously, I realize you two cross swords on a regular basis, but I figured there were sparks.”
    Was it that obvious?
    â€œHe may drive you crazy, but he’s supportive when you need him,” Lori declared.
    That did it. “Let me tell you about men,” Sam burst out. “First they’re all warm and supportive, but the next thing you know they sucker you into darning their socks.”
    â€œDr. Rayburn would never ask anyone to darn his socks.” Lori stirred her tea so vigorously it slopped over. “When they get a hole in them, he throws them away and buys new ones.” Amazing what details some nurses noticed about their physicians.
    â€œWho asked you to darn his socks?” Jennifer asked.
    â€œWell, no one, literally,” Samantha admitted. “But there was this guy I almost married in college. I nearly dropped my plans for med school so I could put him through law school.” Brad Worthy. Or rather, Brad Un Worthy. She saw his high-boned, angular face as clearly as if she’d dated him last month instead of fifteen years ago at UC Berkeley.
    â€œHe must have been an exciting guy, if you cared that much about him,” Lori said.
    â€œSmart and passionate.” And terribly hurt when his starry-eyed girlfriend came to her senses. “He couldn’t figure out why I put my dreams ahead of his.”
    â€œWhy couldn’t you both pursue your dreams?” Jennifer asked.
    â€œToo expensive. Well, from his perspective.” Brad had freaked out at the prospect of running up hundreds of thousands of dollars