“The music stopped a while ago, you two,” Maria commented with a smirk on her face. “Just friends, huh?”
Kate reluctantly backed away from Jake.
“What did she mean by that remark?” Jake asked, after Maria had left the dance area.
“Remember when I told you that Maria was asking about you? She wanted to know if we were involved after she saw us talking in the ICU.”
“What did you tell her?”
“I told the truth, that we were just friends.”
“And what did she say when you told her?”
“She said, yeah right, or something like that.”
“Maybe Maria is smarter than we think!” Jake leaned back and drew Kate with him.
“Excuse me, Dr. Fenelli. Phone for you.” One of the bartenders handed him the phone.
Jake stepped forward. “Kate, let me take this call, and I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.”
Saved by the phone, Kate thought, relieved to have a moment to compose herself after that delicious close encounter.
Julie came nearer. “Ok, give it up Kate. What’s going on with you and Doc Fenelli?”
Kate tried to act nonchalant. “What are you talking about?”
“Looked a little cozy on the dance floor.”
“We were just dancing,” Kate said.
Rachael, Rita, and Lydia converged right after Julie. “Is there something we should know about with you and Fenelli?” Rachael asked. “I’ve been trying to get the gorgeous Dr. Fenelli in my clutches for years now. Either him or Dr. BBB when he was single. I was making headway with Ben until Cynthia swooped in and took him off the market.”
Rachael and Ben had a torrid, steamy relationship prior to Cynthia. She had waited too long and lost the love of her life.
Rachael Reynolds was now thirty-four years old and could give Maria Sanchez a run for her money in the looks department. Her mother was African American, and her father was German and Irish. She had her mother’s smooth, mahogany skin; large, dark, sparkling brown eyes; and long, black, curly hair. And she had her father’s sense of humor, strength, and determination. Rachael was a petite stature five-foot-two but not to be judged according to size. Because she was small, people thought she was fragile; not so. She epitomized the saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Rachael had never married. Everyone had thought she would end up with Dr. Lucien. And so had Rachael!
***
As a child, Rachael’s parents told her she had received the best of both of their ancestries and that she should be proud of her heritages because that’s what made her unique.
Growing up in Brooklyn, she had a wide variety of ethnic friends and was very popular and comfortable with all of them.
Rachael was both gentle-mannered and tough as nails when needed. She possessed a fierce temper when provoked. She was especially impatient and intolerant of bigots and had thought about becoming a civil rights attorney until a career day in high school during her sophomore year when she was exposed the endless job opportunities available in nursing. She especially liked the idea of the trauma air flight program and emergency nursing.
After high school she entered nursing school, graduated and started at Northwest General Hospital in the Emergency Room. After a few years she transferred to the Intensive Care Unit so she could care for critically ill patients.
Rachael had dated throughout high school, nursing school and at the hospital but never felt that special spark until she met Ben Lucien. With him, she fell hard and fast. He took her places she had never been before. She became addicted to his touch and his sexual prowess. Just thinking about his hard body drove her wild with desire. One look from him would cause instant heat.
Rumors about Rachael and Ben ran rampant in the hospital. They didn’t care. Rachael was totally in love with him and he with her. They were a perfect match. Ben wanted to marry her and start a family, but Rachael wanted to wait. They fought about the decision and broke up, although they both knew the breakup wouldn’t last because they had such a hard time keeping their hands off each other.
Then Cynthia entered the picture during their breakup and destroyed their plans all to hell. Rachael’s happy-ever-after shattered into pieces. She had waited too long. She was forced to accept the consequences, but that didn’t stop her from loving Ben. She knew she would love him for the rest of her life. She kept thinking, Maybe someday!
***
“What is it with everyone?” Kate asked. “I have one dance with Jake and we’re a couple?”
Rachael cracked a smile., “All I’m saying is that you both looked pretty intense. And why not? I think you’d be a great couple.”
“Why don’t we all go out to the dance floor and shake things up?” Kate suggested, trying to change the subject.
“Smart move, Kate,” Lydia said. “Good job changing the subject.”
“Not you too, Lydia! I thought you’d be on my side,” Kate protested as she hastened off to the dance area.
With Gloria Estefan blasting on the stereo, Kate, Rachael, Lydia, Cynthia, Rita and Julie formed a conga line around the pool area, grabbing people into the line as they passed. Maria joined in as well. She wasn’t about to miss a chance to be outdone by anyone. The girls all exaggerated their movements to keep up with Maria’s sexy moves.
Chapter 13
Jake finished his phone call and returned to the pool area. Grabbing a beer, he joined Ben, Richard, and several of the med students and residents who were staring at the girls dancing around the pool in a conga line shaking their booties.
“Close your mouths, boys. It’s not polite to stare,” Jake snickered.
“Hey, man. We’re checking out the fine T&A, and I don’t mean tonsils and adenoids,” Richard said with an evil smirk, “She is so damn sexy. She makes my mouth water.”
“It’s called drooling, Richard,” Ben said. “Which one are you referring to? There are several girls in that line that I’d like to get a room with. You know, Rita Jenkins is so quiet at work that you don’t notice her. But you certainly can’t take your eyes off her now shaking her fine bod out there.”
“Don’t let Cynthia hear you say that,” Jake replied. “She’ll take your ass right home. Look how she whisked you away from Maria earlier.”
“I know,” Ben said. “She watches me like a hawk. I can’t get away with anything. She saw me talking to Rachael earlier and quickly stepped in to join our conversation.”
“Well, can you blame her? You were hot and heavy with Rachael before you married Cynthia.”
Ben grinned, “Ah, yes. Rachael and I had a great time.”
“Who else do you think is hot in that line, Ben, besides the obvious—Maria, Rachael, and, of course, your wife?” Richard asked, unable to take his eyes off the women. “And you’re right about Rita Jenkins. She might be worth a little time. She looks like untapped potential. I might just be the one to pop the cork.”
“It looks like you have your hands full with Maria,” Ben said.
“You can always keep one on the back burner in case you need a kicker,” Richard retorted.
Ben nudged Jake, “I think Kate is one hot woman, don’t you Jake? You two looked really engrossed when you were dancing.”
“Yeah, I noticed that too. Are you hitting on her?” Richard asked.
“I have always liked Kate. We’ve been friends for a long time.”
“Looked like more than friends to me,” Richard sneered. “I’ve always had a thing for Kate, but she somehow stayed out of my reach.”
“That’s because she’s on to you, Richard,” Ben said sarcastically. “Any woman in their right mind would stay far, far from you.”
“That’s not true,” Richard defended himself. “I’ve had lots of high-end gals!”
“Yeah, one date, then they know you and haul ass out the do
or if they have any smarts at all.”
“Cut the shit, guys. Women love me! Kate just never took me seriously,” Richard whined.
Jake could hardly keep a straight face, remembering the condom story Kate had told him earlier. “Kate sized you up correctly a long time ago.”
“What do you mean?” Richard asked.
“Nothing,” Jake grinned. “I’m just agreeing with Ben. Kate is way out of your league.”
“You guys are just jealous,” Richard snapped. “Stand back and take notes from the master. I may not have any luck with Kate, but things are looking up with Maria. Now if you amateurs will excuse me, I’m going to join that line behind Maria so I can put my hands on her bod. I would suggest you two pick out a babe and do the same. You, Ben, better get behind your wife, not your old flame Rachael. And you, Jake, I bet I can guess who you will get behind. Fifty bucks says it’s Kate. By the way, Jake, what was Attila the Hun doing here earlier?”
“She wasn’t bothering anyone. Leave Larissa alone, Richard,” Jake said, irritated.
“Don’t worry about that, buddy. I know better. I’m off for the sure thing, Miss Hot Pants over there.” Richard hurried up to the conga line behind Maria, grabbed her hips, looked back at the men, and gave a thumbs-up sign.
“What a fuckin’ piece of work our Dickie is,” Ben said. “But one thing he’s right about is Kate. She’s a quality chick. I say go for it. She’s definitely a keeper.”
“It was just one dance, but you’re right about Kate,” Jake said. “She’s not a one-night-stand kind of girl. I think I’m a little scared of an intense relationship, and she’s someone I could get serious with very easily. Let’s take Richard’s advice and join in the fun.”
Ben went up behind his wife while Jake slipped behind Kate and extended his hands around her waist. Kate felt his warmth and turned around with a smile. To Kate’s disappointment, the song ended shortly after he joined the line. She wanted to continue to feel his hot hands on her.
“You girls rocked out there! You were distracting all the men,” Jake said, also disappointed the song was over.
“I saw you in deep conversation with Ben and Richard, and you all looked like you were up to no good,” Kate grinned.
“We were discussing you girls and how great you looked. We couldn’t take our eyes off you all.”
“Really? Let me guess the topic . . . Maria!”
“Yes, and Rachael and you. In fact, Richard confessed he’d always had a thing for you but that you never seemed to take him seriously. I could hardly keep a straight face. I almost lost it because all I could think of was the condom story.”
“You didn’t tell him, did you?” Kate asked, pretending to be worried. She knew Jake well enough to know he would not betray a confidence.
Jake shook his head. “I wanted to tell him, believe me, just to see the look on his face, but I didn’t.”
“What else did Richard say?”
“He and Ben were both questioning what was going on with us on the dance floor.”
Kate felt her face grow hot. “I can’t believe it. Julie, Rachael, even Lydia and Rita asked me the very same question. It was just a dance, right?”
“Just a dance,” Jake smirked. “How about we give them something to talk about?”
“What did you have in mind, Fenelli?”
“Just follow my lead.” Jake headed over to the DJ to request a song, then returned and extended his hand out to Kate to lead her to the dance area. Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” began playing, and Jake drew her close and wrapped his arms around her.
“Is this for show, Jake?” Kate teased, but she didn’t care. It felt so damn good to press her body into his.
Jake leaned in closer, “This is for me, Kate. I wanted you back in my arms.”
Chapter 14
Jake Fenelli had struggled monetarily and emotionally growing up. His mother died when he was six years old, leaving him and his sister with his father. His older sister, Jillian, raised him because his father was on the road most of the time, employed by a moving van company. His father was only home about seven or eight days throughout every month. On those days, he drank beer, slept, and caroused with his “truck stop” women. Jake and his sister knew to scatter and find other sleeping arrangements, so they wouldn’t have to hear or see what was going on in their father’s bedroom.
Jake tried to get his dad to play ball with him or take him to the movies, but his father’s answer was always the same—he didn’t have time for that nonsense.
When Jake was in high school, his father had suggested that they share one of his women. Jake had cringed in disgust. The women his father brought home were ones he’d found at his truck stops; they were always rundown, heavily made up with teased and dyed hair, scantily dressed, and big breasted. When Jake would refuse to get involved, his dad would howl and tell him he shouldn’t be such a baby and that these were real women, not uptight broads who didn’t want to mess up their hair. He said the women were grateful for “us studs” and knew just how to please a man.
In spite of the lifestyle he grew up with, Jake turned out to be a gentleman with manners and a proper respect for women, mainly due to his sister, Jillian, and his female teachers. And he vowed to make something of himself. He made the honor roll throughout high school and received a scholarship to college. His father told him he was wasting his time, that school was for chumps and that he should be driving a truck like his old man. Jake ignored his dad and entered college, grateful to get away from him. His sister, Jillian, was attending the County College, going for her teaching certification.
In college, Jake met Elizabeth Stanton, a sophisticated socialite with impeccable manners, and married her a year later. Jake had fallen in love not only with Elizabeth but also with her family. They actually sat down together for meals, played sports with each other, went to the theater, and took vacations together—everything a family was supposed to do and everything he had missed growing up with in his family. Now he had the family he’d always longed for. He fit in perfectly with Liz’s family and they adored him, especially Liz’s father, who had three daughters and had longed for a son. James Stanton was a surgeon and talked Jake into going to medical school. Jake was hesitant at first, but found he loved medicine, so he decided to specialize in surgery like his father-in-law.
Jake enjoyed and adapted well to his new lifestyle. Liz became pregnant while he was in his residency, which thrilled him. Liz was not so enthusiastic. She delivered a beautiful, healthy baby boy, and Jake had beamed with pride. He vowed to be involved in Matthew’s life and not ignore or neglect him.
When he called his dad with the news of his new baby son, his father just said his life was over now. Jake hung up, sad that his son would grow up not knowing his grandfather. But then again, maybe it was better that way; his dad was not exactly the greatest role model. At least Liz’s father would be there for his grandson. Jake was happy that his sister Jillian would also play a positive influence in Matthew’s life.
Four years later, Liz gave birth to a sweet, precious baby girl, Grace, who was the apple of her father’s eye. Jake couldn’t believe he possessed such love for his children. He also couldn’t believe his father had missed out on such an extraordinary journey of fatherhood.
After the birth of their daughter, Liz had her tubes tied without discussing it with Jake. She said that was it, no more children. She’d only had the children for Jake. She wanted to travel and attend social events and was constantly upset that Jake’s work schedule at the hospital curtailed her plans. They fought frequently when he received a call from the hospital and had to rush off, leaving him to explain time after time that such was the nature of his job.
Another bone of contention between the two of them was childcare. Liz wanted to hire a full time nanny, and Jake wanted her to assume more of the children’s care. Ultimately, thei
r differences became too much for them. Liz wanted out. She wanted her freedom, not the constraints of motherhood. Although this saddened Jake deeply, he had no choice but to relent and hire a nanny because of his work schedule. He had seen it coming but had thought it would pass.
Liz spent less and less time at the house, usually out of the country on shopping sprees and vacations. Eventually, Liz served Jake with divorce papers, and she and the kids, along with the nanny, moved into her parents’ house.
Jake spent every minute possible with his kids. In fact, Matthew and Grace spent the majority of their time at his house. Fortunately for Jake, Liz’s parents were very generous about letting him have the children whenever he wanted. They still loved their son-in-law in spite of the divorce.
Jake kept his promise to stay involved in his children’s lives. He attended their school functions, helped them with their homework, took them to the movies and out to dinner, played sports with them, or played with them at the beach. He made sure they felt loved and gave them the attention they so rightly deserved. The children adored, admired, and respected their father and grew up with a strong sense of family in spite of their mother’s non-maternal influence.
But Jake missed having a loving partner and friend to share his life with and hoped someday he would find that special someone.
Chapter 15
Julie, Rita, Lydia, Rachael, Cynthia, and Ben were lounging around the pool drinking and feasting on seafood. Ben nudged his wife, who was sitting very close because Rachael was directly across from him.
“Who do you think is more engrossed in each other—Jake and Kate or Richard and Maria?”
The whole group glanced at the dance floor and said in unison, “Jake and Kate!”
Julie cracked a smile, “They say they are just friends, but I don’t dance that close to my friends. And look at Richard and Maria; she is going to take him for a wild ride just for his money.”
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