“Oh, you know I will,” Skylar purred.
Zandra ended the call and shook her head in exasperated disbelief.
What the hell have I just gotten myself into?
Hearing voices outside the room, she returned her phone to her handbag on the chair and climbed back onto the table just as the door opened and her gynecologist walked back in.
“Sorry about that, Zandra. One of my patients just went into labor.”
“Oh, wow,” Zandra remarked. “That’s wonderful. Do you need to leave?”
“Not right away. Let me finish your exam first.”
Dr. Gill was an attractive fortysomething woman with a short natural and smooth brown skin. Zandra had always liked and respected her. She was a wife, a mother of three, and very active in her church and community. Though she knew all about Zandra’s escort agency, she’d never expressed disapproval or passed judgment on Zandra. That was rare.
As one of Dr. Gill’s nurses slipped quietly into the room and closed the door, Zandra lay back on the table and tucked her feet into the stirrups.
Dr. Gill spoke to her as she gently eased the plastic speculum inside her, her voice warm and soothing. “So how’s everything going? Are you enjoying your summer?”
“Very much,” Zandra murmured, staring up at the ceiling.
“That’s good. Got any exciting travel plans?”
“Well, I recently returned from St. Lucia—”
“Oooh, you lucky girl. I’ve never been there, but I’ve heard it’s beautiful.”
“It is. Really breathtaking.” The island would always hold a special place in Zandra’s heart because of Remy. “You have to visit sometime.”
“I know. That’s what my husband’s been telling me.” Dr. Gill sighed. “I just need to clear my schedule and do it, right?”
Zandra grinned. “Absolutely. You won’t regret it.”
“I’m sure I won’t.” Dr. Gill used her spatula and brush to gently scrape cells from Zandra’s cervix. “Got any other trips planned this summer?”
“Actually,” Zandra answered, “I’m leaving for London tomorrow.”
“Oh, how nice. I love London.”
Zandra smiled softly. “Me, too. It’s one of my favorite places in the world.” And being able to share it with Remy would make it more special than ever.
When Dr. Gill finished the exam, she passed the Pap smear sample to her nurse and disposed of her gloves, then rose from the rolling stool and walked to the sink to wash her hands.
As Zandra sat up on the table, Dr. Gill asked her, “Are you still happy with the Pill?”
Zandra hesitated for a moment, surprising herself.
“Zandra?” Dr. Gill prompted.
She looked at her. “How long does it take to get birth control pills out of your system?”
“Well, once you stop taking the Pill, the hormones are out of your body quickly, usually within a couple of days. That means your body will start to produce follicles again, which will eventually lead you to ovulate. But every woman is different. Some may take a few weeks to ovulate. Others may take several months. It just depends.”
Zandra nodded slowly, absorbing this information with a carefully neutral expression.
Dr. Gill eyed her speculatively. “Are you thinking about coming off the Pill, Zandra?”
She bit her lip, then shook her head. “No.”
“Are you sure?”
She wasn’t, but she nodded anyway.
“Well, you just let me know whenever you’re ready to stop taking the Pill, or if you’d like to explore other options for birth control.” Dr. Gill paused, eyes glinting. “Or if you’re ready to start planning a family.”
Zandra blushed. “I’m not. But...thanks.”
Dr. Gill gave her a warm smile. “See you next time.”