Christmas Babies Read Free Page A

good time with her a waste of time. Two
days ago she’d rebuked him with a frown when he joked with a technician at the
hospital. If she only knew why he flirted without discrimination, why at
thirty-six he couldn’t allow himself marriage or commitment.
    Maybe he was wrong about her
putting up an act. Maybe she’d decided to change. Whatever. He’d stop analyzing
her and would enjoy every minute spent in her company.
    He parked the car in a side
street behind the tourist area of Las Olas Boulevard. She slipped out of the
car. It would be hell to walk for several blocks with her high heels. He hooked
her arm to his, half-expecting her to protest and strut on her own, but she
smiled and said, “Thank you.”
    Nicky, my boy. Tonight’s your
lucky night. Try to be smart and don’t break the spell .
    A festive air cloaked the busy
boulevard. Trees sparkled with colored bulbs and decorative garlands added to
the spirit of the holiday season. Madelyn stopped in front of the shop windows
and admired articles and novelties with enthusiastic exclamations. Her comments
made him frown and grin, and cross his fingers that her transformation would
last beyond the stroke of midnight.
    Blaring music wafted toward them.
They entered the dimly lit restaurant-bar. The hostess sat them at a table for
two and gave them menus. “Good idea. I’m starved.” He studied the items and
looked at his companion. “What will you have, Madelyn?”
    “Grilled salmon and a Caesar
salad. And a pink lemonade.”
    “Make that two,” he told the waiter.
A soft drink would help him keep a cool head and avoid any wrong move,
especially now that his gorgeous guest had managed to confuse the hell out of
him.
    “Do you often go to the Sea-Waves
Bar?” Madelyn asked while sipping her lemonade. This time she emptied half of
her drink.
    “Once a month.” He abstained from
reminding her he copied her on his emails when sending the get-together notice.
She’d probably deleted his emails without even reading them.
    “I think I may start going too.”
    “Good.” So the change was real.
He blessed whatever had triggered it.
    “What are your plans now that you’ve
reached your goal?”
    “Ah…at the hospital?” Damn, she
was discussing work again.
    “No.” She chuckled. “No hospital
talk on break. I mean in general. What do you plan to do with yourself?
Although I think you’re going to be busier than ever.”
    He relaxed in his chair and
considered her. “True. But I will make time for fun once in a while.” He hoped
she’d agree to share the fun with him. “Actually, as of tomorrow I will be
looking for an apartment on the beach. This way, I can enjoy a quick swim when
I am not at the hospital.”
    “Good idea.”
    The waiter brought their plates.
Madelyn ate slowly, while he attacked his food heartily.
    “Where do you live?” He couldn’t
believe he’d never asked her that question before, but then she’d always
blocked any attempt at personal conversation.
    Her mouth curled into an adorable
smile. “In an apartment on the beach.”
    “No kidding.” That would explain
her smooth tan, highlighted by her white dress. “Which building?”
    “ The Blue Lagoon .”
    “Really? My real estate agent said
she’ll show me apartments in the Blue Lagoon and some other buildings next
week.” He lowered his head to his plate and tried to suppress a wicked grin. He
could fancy himself as a next door neighbor to Madelyn. Hmm, he’d call the
woman tomorrow and ask her to start the showing with the Blue Lagoon .
    Madelyn shot him a quick glance
but didn’t comment. She also hadn’t eaten much, half of her salad and a few
bites of her fish, although she finished her second lemonade. “I’m full.” She
moved her plate aside.
    He raised his eyebrows. “A
dessert now?”
    “No thank you. But if you are
done too, we can dance.” She glanced at the dance floor where three couples
shook their hips, kicked their feet, twirled, and swung.
    He