Fatal Series 00 - Fatal Destiny Read Free Page A

close friend, Sam admired his dark hair, handsome face and adorable dimples.
    “Nice shower the other night.”
    “It really was. My sisters went all out.”
    “I gotta say, I’m surprised to see you this week,” he said. “I figured you’d have far more important things to do than to check in with me.”
    “I need a favor.”
    His smile faded and his brows knitted with concern. “Everything okay with you and Nick?”
    “Yeah, sure. Everything’s fine. It’s just that… um…”
    “Sam,” he said, smiling. “Spit it out. Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out.”
    “I want something for birth control,” she said in a burst of words. “Something that works right away.”
    “I’m surprised to hear that. I was under the impression you were anxious to start a family.”
    “I’ve decided I need some more time before that happens. Nick and I haven’t been together that long. We could use some time alone before we take the next step.”
    “Hmm.”
    Sam studied him. “What does that mean— Hmm ?”
    “It’s just, you know, you suffered a miscarriage a few weeks ago, and now you’ve totally changed direction on how you feel about having a baby. I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t ask how you’re doing up here.” He tapped his head.
    “I’m fine,” Sam said, annoyed. She wanted a shot, and she wanted to get out of there. What was so hard about that? “Look, Harry, I appreciate the concerned friend routine. I really do. I’m not looking to get my tubes tied. I want something short-term that will buy me a little time to get used to being married before I add a baby to the picture. That’s all there is to it.”
    “While I’m honored that you consider me a friend, I’m actually coming at this as a doctor more than a friend. I know how much you wanted that baby, Sam.”
    Goddamn him. Goddamn him and the softly spoken words that had her swallowing frantically to deal with the emotion that closed her throat. “I wanted the baby. I won’t deny that. And I won’t deny I’m not ready to try again.”
    “So why not go with condoms until you are?”
    Good old Harry was too damned perceptive for his own good. “Not that you probably want to hear this, but if I’m covered, then we can be spontaneous, which makes for a much better honeymoon, right?” Sam made a big show of checking her watch. “Are you going to help me out, or should I go somewhere else?”
    Harry studied her for a long, long moment.
    It was all Sam could do not to squirm under the heat of his stare.
    “Stay here,” he finally said. “I’ll be right back.”
    He left the room, and Sam released a long deep breath. She hated being evasive with Nick’s friend, but she had to do something. She couldn’t continue to avoid sex forever, and there was no way she was putting herself through another pregnancy. No way. So short of having to endure the emotional firestorm of that conversation with Nick the week of their wedding, she’d chosen to buy herself some time until she felt more ready to go there.
    If her research were to be believed, the birth-control shot would give her twelve weeks. By then, hopefully, she would be able to talk to Nick about it. Hopefully.
    Harry returned a few minutes later with his girlfriend, Dr. Maggie Tyndall, an OB/GYN in his practice. Sam had met her after the miscarriage when Harry and Maggie had come by the house to check on her.
    “Oh jeez,” Sam said. “Are you guys ganging up on me or something?”
    Maggie, who was tall and lanky with long dark hair and bright blue eyes, laughed. “No ganging. You’ve ventured out of Harry’s area of expertise, so he called me in to consult. He tells me you’re interested in short-term birth control?”
    Nodding, Sam said, “I read about the shot that lasts twelve weeks. That would work for me.”
    “When was the first day of your last period?”
    “Yesterday.”
    “Then it would be effective within twenty-four hours.”
    Sam sighed with relief.