Dirty Bad Boys Box Set: Forbidden Romance Collection

afternoon, and I’m quick to accept her timeslot. This morning was bad enough, showing up and waiting like an idiot. I’ve learned my lesson and have no desire to tell him about this second appointment.

“Guess what?!” Vicky is sitting on my freshly-disinfected desk with her (God knows where it’s been) ass.

Frowning, I eventually indulge her. “Let me guess, the Jerk came and saw you and is trying to worm his way back as Mr. Nice Guy?”

She stops mid-smile and grimaces. “Are you in love with him?”

“Wh . . . why would you say that?” I stutter, wanting to slap myself in the face for making her think I am. Because I’m not.

“Just asking . . . so anyway, Patrick called me,” she says excitedly.

Welcoming the switch of topic and avoiding the awkward conversation about love, I am shocked and surprised to learn the weasel is contacting Vicky again. Here’s the thing about Patrick: he’s the ultimate jerk. The amount of pain and humiliation he caused Vicky is downright inexcusable. There is no logical reason for him to call Vicky, apart from wanting to bang her one more time, then send her off on a shame parade down the highway to hell.

“Patrick? Your ex? The man who was married with kids and fucked you till all hell broke loose? Patrick?”

She grins, and automatically I worry that she will (if she hasn’t already) jump on the boat to Brokenheartsville. Again.

“Vicky, don’t go there again. You were a mess last time,” I gently warn her.

“But this time I’m over him. I’m just curious to find out what he wants,” she tries to reassure me.

This isn’t good. I have half a mind to call him up and tell him to fuck off or I’ll chop his balls up and feed it to the snappy dog that lives next door. But of course, I try to be the mature and ever-so-caring friend. I was there through it all, from the snotty sobs to plotting the ultimate revenge. What I didn’t expect was to be back here two years later, and for Vicky to so eagerly jump back in.

“What else would he want but to get you into bed?”

“Closure,” she replies.

“Guys don’t want closure. They just go find some new jackrabbit to fuck . . . or something along those lines,” I mumble.

“What?”

“Never mind,” I tell her. Stupid jerk.

Vicky continues to justify her reasons for responding to him, and I continue to play the friend that tries to stop her from making another wrong decision. But it’s her decision, and no amount of persuasion from me will change her mind. Mental note: stock up on ice cream because it’s all downhill from here.

“I’m guessing we will continue this conversation tonight. Listen, I love you, but if he hurts you in the slightest way, I will go all psycho on his ass.”

“I know you got my back.” She simpers, leaning in to kiss my forehead as reassurance. “Are you going somewhere now?”

“The Jerk stood me up this morning so I missed my appointment. The ultrasound place has another opening this afternoon, so once I finish this report I’m working on, I’m heading out.”

“Uh oh. I need the whole story.” She glances at her watch. “But I’ve got a meeting I need to get to. I’ll call you tonight, okay?” She raises her eyes, then quickly says goodbye and disappears. Weird, but then again, her head is probably clouded with thoughts of Patrick and his wandering dick.

***

I make it to the appointment with only a minute to spare. The sonographer, Sandra, invites me into the room, and just as I’m about to close the door behind me, I hear chaos in the waiting room.

“Am I late?”

Panting and out of breath, the Jerk bends, resting his body against the door and trying to redeem himself. His hair is a wild mess and sweat is visibly dripping down his forehead.

“Why are you here? I didn’t tell you . . .”

Damn Vicky! That conniving little witch!

“I’m here, okay? Quit giving me grief.”

Secretly, I am glad he is here. Whatever reason he felt the need to see our baby, I don’t care. It’s the first moment throughout the pregnancy where I feel normal, and when I say normal, I mean with a partner right beside me. Sure, it’s all fantasy, but just for this short time I can pretend it’s real.