The Best Medicine

Chapter 16



“I HAVE THE PERFECT MAN for you,” Hilary said, pulling me into her office. “If I wasn’t married, I’d take him myself.”

She shut her office door and practically pushed me into a chair.

“Good morning, Hilary,” I said sardonically. “I’m fine, thanks. How are you?”

I’d only been in the office for five minutes. My hair was still wet from my walk in the rain, but nothing could dampen my spirits—except maybe having to tell Hilary that I’d just played tonsil hockey with Tyler Connelly in the public park. Perhaps I’d keep that little secret to myself for a while.

“Good morning. Yes. Whatever. We don’t have time for that. Here, read this.” She shoved a stack of papers into my hands. “His name is Chris Beaumont, and seriously, this guy looks like a keeper. And thankfully, he’s got nothing to do with that cheese-ball website.”

I looked down. Stapled to the corner of the papers was a picture of a very handsome man with thick dark hair and chocolate-brown eyes. Next to that were the words curriculum vitae. I flipped through the stack.

“This isn’t a dating profile, Hilary. This is somebody’s résumé and credentialing paperwork.”

She grinned like one of those animated dogs on a commercial with oversized human teeth. I hate those commercials.

“I know,” Hilary said. “Score for me, huh? He’s applied for privileges at the hospital because he just joined a dermatology practice in Bell Harbor. He’s single, grew up in Grand Rapids, and he wants to settle down here and start a family. I tell you, Evie, he’s perfect for you.”

I looked at the paper again. He was strikingly handsome, and he certainly had nice stats. So why did my stomach drop as if I were staring at a photo of a swastika?

“How did you get this? What makes you even think he’s interested in dating?”

“I got the full scoop from Reilly Peters. She’s that slutty physician recruiter. Remember her? Honestly, three cosmopolitans and that woman will tell you anything. Don’t ever ask about her trip to Jamaica.”

Duly noted. “She had no business sharing his personal data with you. It’s inappropriate,” I said.

“So is bringing wine to an intervention, but she did that once too. She said it was rude to show up empty-handed.”

That sounded like the Reilly I knew.

Hilary shrugged and leaned back against her desk. “Yeah, OK, so she’s not particularly bright, but in this case, I think her intel is dependable. I mean, look at this guy, Evie. He graduated from University of Michigan, did his residency at Stanford, and now he’s here looking for a wife. He’d have regular office hours, little or no call, and he’ll make a shitload of money.”

“It’s not all about money.”

“That’s easier to say when you’ve got some. But either way, this guy has the whole package, including the actual package.” She giggled at her own joke. “Gabby showed me your list. You want intellectual compatibility, economic equality, and sperm. This guy has all that.”

I looked at his picture again. Even if he was only half as good-looking as the photo suggested, he’d still be damn good-looking. At first glance, he certainly met my criteria.

Hilary eyed me suspiciously. “I don’t get it. What’s the hesitation? I thought you’d be elated.”

Ruh-roh. I brushed the hair back from my face.

“Um, no hesitation. He looks great. It’s just, how am I supposed to meet him if he’s not actually a part of Bell Harbor Singles?”

That wasn’t my only hesitation, of course. There was the little matter of Tyler. My lips still tingled from his kiss, and I was fairly certain that tonight when he came over to bring me my dog, there might be some unleashing.

Hilary made a checkmark in the air with her index finger. “Already handled. You’re having lunch with him next Tuesday.”

“What?” The floor beneath me wobbled. These sisters were driving me crazy. First Gabby, and now Hilary.

“Yep, at Jasper’s. You’re welcome.” Hilary’s smile was smug.

“Tuesday’s not going to work,” I blurted out.

“Why? I checked your calendar. You have patients until one, and then you’re off for the afternoon.”

Think fast, Evie. Think fast.

“Exactly, I’m off for the afternoon because I’m meeting some new decorator at my house. I want to get it painted before I move in.” Maybe I should just admit to her about Tyler, but I wasn’t ready, and it wasn’t even really a thing, so there was nothing to tell. What would I say? I’d like to take a break from husband hunting to fool around with a man young enough to be my yard boy?


“Who’s your decorator?” She said it as if she didn’t believe me.

“Some guy named Fontaine Baker. I got his name from one of my patients.”

“That’s not until four o’clock. I told you, I checked your schedule. And by the way, I know Fontaine. I hope you like feathers and animal prints.”

“Animal prints?”

“Yes, but don’t change the subject. You can do a late lunch on Tuesday, right?”

“Um . . . ?”

Damn it! I had no explicable reason to say no. This Chris Beaumont looked like the real deal. And maybe a date with a decent guy would help me see Tyler Connelly for the speed bump that he was. He was slowing me down from my real destination. Marriage. A husband, some kids, a real, grown-up relationship.

“Yeah, OK. I think I can manage lunch. But could you change it to that sushi place on the corner? I’ve been craving sushi.”

I wasn’t, of course. But I couldn’t risk lunch at Jasper’s. If Tyler had been upset about Marty Cable, he certainly wouldn’t be happy about this guy.