The Blush Factor by Deborah Bladon

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Matthew

Some people (a handfulat most) consider me an asshole.

Most of those people are of the female persuasion, and therefore their opinion of me is clouded by my lack of follow-up. A fuck follow-up, to be precise.

I make that call when needed to tell a woman that although I had a great time, I’m not interested in rewinding history and going for a second run-through.

That’s not to say that I’m not interested in anything beyond a one-night stand.

I’ve had plenty of two-night stands, three-night stands, and an entire six-month stand once with a woman.

Each ran its course, and although I’ve always tried to part as friends, sometimes things go off the rails, and I’m called names that would horrify my mother.

Today, I’m facing a redheaded woman who I fucked a few months ago. It lasted a solid three weeks. Fun in the sun, as I recall, since she had a rooftop deck and a bed set up there.

I doubt her neighbors saw more than my ass because of the position of the bed, but still, every time I left her place, it was with a ball cap pulled down over my brow because I didn’t need the extra attention or any propositions.

“You remember me, right?” The woman who brought her schnauzer in today asks me.

I steal a glance at the electronic chart that Matilda opened on my tablet for me before the woman sauntered in dressed like she’s headed to a night at the club even though it’s barely ten in the morning.

Short red dress, strappy heels, and a makeup job that would make Delia jealous. My sister, in all her infinite studious wisdom, should have pursued a degree in chemistry since she’s constantly experimenting with the products she puts on her face.

“Marilyn,” I say the name of the person listed on the chart in front of me. “Marilyn O’Shea.”

That brightens her face instantly. “You remember me.”

I do.

I remember we had a hell of a three week run until she tugged me into a jewelry store in Tribeca to gawk at their display of engagement rings.

I excused myself to make a call to my brother. That had nothing to do with anything but giving myself a reason to leave the store.

Marilyn wasn’t impressed when I didn’t return to her side. She flew out of the store thirty minutes later with one question.

She dropped to one knee on a busy sidewalk and asked me to ask her to marry me.

I refused all of it.

She left in tears.

I went for a drink.

That was the end of our story, or so I thought.

Since Tilly is standing in the corner taking in this trip down memory lane, I smile. “How have you been?”

“Good,” Marilyn answers with a sigh. “You?”

“Fine.” I glance at the schnauzer, who has fallen asleep on his back on the exam room table. “What’s the problem with this guy?”

“It’s his ear.” She sucks in a breath and arches her back to jut out her chest. “He keeps scratching the right one, or maybe it’s the left one.”

I’m not about to be sidetracked by her tits. That happened when we met, but I was somewhat tipsy and looking for a warm body.

“When did it start?” I move to examine the schnauzer’s ears.

The pup doesn’t move an inch as I peer inside with a light. I do the same to the other ear.

“When did what start?” Marilyn questions with her back still arched.

Tilly clears her throat. “When did Mr. Peppers start scratching his ear?”

Marilyn shoots her a look that is meant to shut Tilly up. It’s another reminder of why it was so easy to walk away after our brief relationship.

“Oh, right.” Marilyn taps a red-tipped fingernail to her forehead. “A day or two ago, I guess.”

“Any other symptoms?” Tilly asks.

“No,” Marilyn answers curtly. “I’m sure Dr. Hawthorne can handle this on his own. Besides, we have something important to discuss that is private.”

She enunciates that last word with a show of her teeth.

I look at her. “We have nothing to discuss that is private, Marilyn. If you’d like, we can run some tests on Mr. Peppers, but I don’t see any issues with his ears.”

“Are you going to charge me for the tests?”

“Yes,” Tilly handles that. “I can provide you with our fee schedule and explain each test and its merit to you.”

“Explain why I can’t speak to Dr. Hawthorne about that.”

I look to Tilly and offer her a nod. It’s a silent acknowledgment that she can leave.

“I’ll be back with that fee schedule,” she says on her way to the door. “If you need anything, Dr. Hawthorne, I’m a moment away.

It’s obvious she felt the bite of Marilyn’s words.

I watch Tilly leave. She doesn’t entirely shut the door behind her, which means an extra set of ears will be listening in on this discussion.

“I miss you, Matt.” Marilyn jumps right into it without a safety net. “You must feel the same way. I mean, we had some good times on my roof.”

I can’t argue with that, so I don’t. “I’ve moved on, Marilyn.”

“Take a step back in time.” She shimmies her hips. “Why don’t we hang out tonight for old time’s sake?”

I glance down when the schnauzer rolls onto his side. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m not interested.”

“You appreciate the offer?” she drops her tone to try to mimic mine, but she fails miserably.

“Yes. I appreciate the offer.”

“You know I’m not against sharing.” She leans her hip against the steel exam table. “If you’re involved with someone, bring her along. The rooftop bed is roomy.”

It sure as hell is not. I rolled off of it a time or two.

“That won’t happen.”

Tilting up her chin, she glares at me. “This is a one-time offer, Matthew. If you don’t take a chance with me now, you may never see me again.”

If only that were true.

Her chart clearly states that she’s booked Mr. Peppers in to be neutered in four weeks.

I type Dr. Hunt’s name into the attending vet’s slot on my tablet. He can handle that and her.

I’ve done him a similar favor a time or two in the past.

“My loss,” I lie.

“It is,” she spits back. “I’ve learned a few new things since we were together. Things I think you’d really like.”

I doubt like hell that’s true.

The thing I most like at the moment is kissing Faith Upton.

Tilly suddenly appears as the exam room door flies open. “I have that fee schedule.”

“That’s not necessary.” Marilyn scoops the still sleeping Mr. Peppers into her arms. “He’s fine. I’m going to take him home and nurse him back to health myself.”

“Call us if you need anything,” Matilda calls after her as she struts out of the exam room. “Or me. Call me if you need anything at all, Ms. O’Shea.”

I huff out a laugh. “I owe you.”

“Pay me back now.” Tilly smiles.

“You want cake,” I say with confidence because she can pack away a piece in no time flat. “Name the flavor, and I’ll order up some.”

With a push of her foot, she closes the exam room door. I watch as her hands dip into the pockets of her blue scrubs. “You turned her down because of a woman, didn’t you?”

I steal a glance at her face. “Tilly.”

“I don’t need a name. I’m not asking for details.” She shakes her head. “Just tells me what she’s like, Matt.”

I can manage that. “She’s beautiful and brilliant. I’ve never met anyone quite like her.”

Tilly’s face lights up with a smile. “You’re going to marry her.”

I laugh that off. “Not every relationship needs to end with a trip down the aisle.”

She studies my face. “I have a feeling this one will, and I’m an expert on love, so trust me, Matt. One day, this mystery woman will be your wife.”

I don’t argue the point because there’s no need.

Tilly can wish upon every star she sees that every person she knows will find a life partner. I’m not searching for that. I’m looking to fulfill all of Faith Upton’s fantasies. If I can do that, I’ll be a very happy man.