“Hi, this is Dr. Matthews. I was paged.”
“Hi, Dr. Matthews. This is Tammy from the front desk. Your wife is here, and we’re currently checking her in through L&D. She wanted to let you know she’s in labor.”
“Fuck!” I shouted, before taking off in a sprint for the waiting room.
Clare
“He’s beautiful,” Leah cooed as I watched my husband hold our new son for the first time. He’d been a father since the moment he laid eyes on Maddie, but there was always something special about seeing a new father, no matter how many times around.
I chuckled to myself, remembering the sight of Logan in his scrubs, barreling down the hall, and throwing the double doors open to the ER. You would think a doctor, especially one trained in trauma, would be calmer. But I guess every new father was entitled to his moment of crazy, even a doctor.
He had check me over from head to foot even though I assured him I was perfectly fine.
They escorted us to Labor and Delivery, and five seconds later, an attractive blonde nurse walked in. Apparently Leah wasn’t going to let anyone else near her godson, or goddaughter. We decided to leave the sex of the baby a mystery, driving everyone crazy. With everything that we had gone through over the last two years, having a little mystery that wasn’t a dire circumstance was nice.
Once I was hooked up to the monitors and given some medication for the pain, Logan was able to relax and play the role of expectant father, for the most part. He still watched the monitors like a hawk and checked my vitals more than necessary. When our son was delivered, all notions of being a doctor were dropped and Logan became a father to our child instantly. Seeing him cut the cord and running his hand down the baby’s tiny cheek made me proud to call him my husband.
There was a knock at the door, and Maddie entered, proudly displaying the “Big Sister” shirt Grandma Cece had bought her. My parents hung back in the hallway, giving Maddie a few minutes with us before entering. I knew the wait must be killing them. Seeing the blue bundle in Logan’s arms, she stopped short and frowned.
“It’s a boy?”
I winced, knowing she had really been hoping for a girl. Well, there’s always next time I guess.
“Yes, you have a brother. Is that okay?” I asked
She was silent for second, before she said “Yeah, I guess so. Boys can dance, right Daddy?”
As soon as we told Maddie we were getting married, her first question was whether she could call Logan “Daddy.” He’d broken down in tears, pulling her into his arms. It brought a smile to his face to this day to hear her say it.
“Uh. Sure, princess. But he might want to do something else. Like play guitar like me. Or football like Uncle Colin,” Logan suggested.
“Hmmm, well I don’t know about football, but he could play the guitar! He can play music, and I can dance!” she exclaimed with excitement.
Problem solved. No problem was ever too great for a child.
“Hey, does my baby brother have a name?” she asked.
Logan and I smiled, looking at each other. It was a name we both decided on a long time ago.
“We thought we’d name him Ethan. Ethan Oliver Matthews.”
“I like that name. Daddy would like that name.”
“We think so, too.”
Ethan knew me better than I knew myself. He gave me the push I needed when I was scared to take a risk. But with love, the risk is always worth it.
About the Author
J.L. Berg is a California native living in the South. She’s married to her high school sweetheart and they have two beautiful girls that drive them batty on a daily basis. When she’s not writing, you can find her with her nose stuck in a romance book, in a yoga studio or devouring anything chocolate.
Photo Credit: Studio FBJ
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Books By J.L.
Some love stories begin with a chance encounter in an emergency room.
Others start in a crowded bar, with a heated gaze and a one-night stand.
Never Been Ready
The Second Novel in The Ready Series.
Available Now!
Taming the Bachelor
by M.J. Carnal
Ex marine and bad boy, Mark Moretti, made a pact with his childhood friends to live life to the fullest and never allow a woman to tie him down. After years of success and the world at his feet, he is determined to make that pact a reality. A move back to his beloved Los Angeles threatens to change the future he had written for himself when the shy and beautiful, Sophie Barringer, ends up being the Maid of Honor at his sister's wedding. Sophie has been burned at love. The last thing she needs is a self proclaimed bachelor to turn her head. But her heart may have other plans. Forced to spend a week together in paradise, can they deny their steamy chemistry and stay away from each other or will they give in to lust and take the chance? Can Mark get over his player reputation to take a shot at love or will fate be cruel enough to deny them their happily ever after?
Prologue
10 years ago
“Moretti, let’s wrap it up man.” Rich Dickerman pounded his fist on the side of the Chevy Equinox with the steam covered windows. “Five minutes until first pitch. Let’s get a move on.” Rich paced the length of the car. His role as look out was getting old. He couldn’t wait for the day Mark Moretti decided life was not just one party after another. He would be there on the sidelines laughing. “Ha,” he chuckled.
The car door opened and Mark stepped out. Tucking his jersey back into his pants, he turned and flashed his million dollar smile at the sophomore brunette in the back seat. “Thanks, Kelly.” He slammed the door shut.
“It’s Casey.” Rich shoved Mark and laughed. “Not Kelly. Casey.”
“Kelly, Casey, same thing.” Mark stretched his pitching arm.
“It is not even close to the same thing. You really are a pig. I’m not sure I understand how you do it. Are these women dumb?” Rich threw him the baseball.
Mark stopped for a minute. He shook his head and smiled. “Dumb? Hardly. I am a good investment. Besides, every one of them thinks they can change me. That’s never going to happen. But I thoroughly enjoy their attempts.”
Mark threw the baseball to Rich. This was the last game of their senior season. Hard to believe they would be graduating in a week. He had heard that the high school years were some of the best. They had been good to him. But soon, he would pack up his life and move into a tiny apartment outside the UCLA campus with Caleb and Ryan. Rich would go to his fancy, private school and Molly would be left behind to carry on the Moretti name.
He sighed. Molly. Sweet, beautiful, innocent Molly. Life had not been easy for them. The military demanded constant moving and Mario Moretti had not wanted his children torn away from what they knew. So he headed out on adventures all over the world, leaving his wife and two children behind to struggle to keep up with the socialites of Beverly Hills. Mark had worked as long as he could remember. He wanted Molly to be able to join clubs and have friends and not worry about how she would pay for things. At the age of ten, Mark had vowed to make enough money to care for everyone he loved. That list was short but significant.
Rich Dickerman, Caleb Allen and Mark Moretti were the bad boys of Beverly Hills. Or so they thought. Where one was seen, the other two were sure to follow. They were the three musketeers until Ryan West crash landed smack into the mix in middle school. Rich was level headed and the voice of reason while Caleb broke some hearts and even more rules. Ryan and Mark were the best of both. Both studious and rebellious, they spent their weekends chasing women, stealing beer from their parent’s refrigerator and studying. The four of them had been joined at the hip until Rich fell in love with Molly Moretti. Mark loved his sister more than anything in the world. He welcomed her into the fold with open arms. But there was nothing like a younger sister to ruin someone’s game.
“Play Ball”
Mark sat in the dugout at the end of the game. Molly sat on Rich’s lap and Mark shook his head. “That’s my sister, man. Cool it.”
“Marco, I take it those are yours?” Caleb laughed as he pointed to the row of women sitting in the stands.
Mark looked up as a few of them waved. He winked and waved back. It was good to be him. “None of them are mine C. But they all want to be.” He chuckled as he packed up his gear.
“Give me a break.” Molly smacked him on the leg. “There will come a day that some woman steals your heart, Markie. And I cannot wait until that happens. Pay back is a huge bitch.”
“I agree, Moretti. When that day comes, I am strapping myself in because it’s going to be one hell of a ride.”
Mark laughed and looked his friends in the eye. “That day will never come. I am Mark Moretti. Forever a bachelor.”
Chapter One
“Always the one with the broken wheel. Always!” Sophie huffed as she blew at a strand of her blond hair that had escaped from her messy bun. She knew Saturday morning was the worst time to shop. But with her work week ending later that expected and the engagement party only a few hours away, she knew she only had time for a quick work out and an even quicker trip to the grocery store.
She loathed grocery shopping. Actually, she loathed shopping of any kind. It wasn’t until she met Molly six months ago that her views on shopping had changed. And they had changed by force.
Six months ago, Sophie had made the move to Los Angeles to follow her college boyfriend. She had landed her dream job editing for Phantom House books and loved being a junior editor. They had bought a tiny house with a yard full of stones and she had hung some flower baskets and made herself a little sanctuary in back. A month into her job, she had come home early with a headache and walked into her worst nightmare. Shawn had brought his secretary home and was enjoying her in the bed they shared. After several screaming matches, she had learned of Shawn’s indiscretions during their four year relationship. She packed a few suitcases and walked away from the future she had written for herself.
Molly had been a mentor at work and had been her only true girlfriend in the whole city. The few friends she had made with Shawn found him more entertaining and had turned their backs on her the moment they heard the news. Molly had saved her. Sophie moved into the tiny apartment Molly was leaving to move in with her fiancé. She had forced Sophie from her funk by signing them up for Pilates and taking her to the spa for a complete life overhaul. She forced Sophie to throw away the remainders of her old life by taking her shopping for furniture and clothing and refused to let her sulk on Friday nights. On one occasion, she had even taken her speed dating to try to open her eyes to other men in the world. She was her rock and Sophie knew she would not have made it through the last six months without her.
The buzzing of her phone brought her back to reality as she fished through her giant purse to find it. The envelope alerted her to the text message.
“Babes! I need you to get over here stat! My cousin just found out she is pregnant and I need a new Maid of Honor. Dress fitting in one hour. See you there.”
Sophie just stared at the phone. She was happy for Molly, but part of her died a little every time she was reminded of how happy her best friend was. Her self confidence had stayed back in the old house when she walked away from it. She questioned her decisions, her looks, and her desire to ever find a man again.
Her cart hit something hard and it stopped with a jolt. Sophie looked up and saw she had run into a man’s heels. “I am so sorry. Oh my gosh. Are you ok?”
He turned around with a small huff and looked down at her. He pulled his baseball cap off his head and ran his hand through his dark hair. “Well, you are going to owe me some Band-Aids.” His grin reached his green eyes and Sophie couldn’t help but smile. “And if I didn’t have somewhere to be five minutes ago, I would wait.” He laughed as he started to jog away.
“It was nice running into you.” Before she had a chance to think, the words were out of her mouth. She had never seen anyone so handsome before. Of course, she had shown her true clumsy colors and rammed him with the cart. Sighing, she looked at her watch and picked up her pace. She needed to get out of here and across town to put on a dress that would remind her again what a failure her relationship had been.
****
Mark settled into his new car and shook his head. What was that? He had taken one look at this frazzled woman and his heart had jumped into his throat. Enough Moretti, get it together he told himself as he put the key in the ignition.
Rich was going to kill him. He was supposed to be at the tux shop by now and he had yet to pick up the kegs for the party tonight. His first night back in LA had been a little wild and running into his high school sweetheart had been an added bonus. The shocking part was waking up in her bed this morning. He knew things might be a little awkward tonight since she was part of the bridal party and he needed to set things straight as soon as he saw her. That could not happen again.
His decision to join the Marines right after graduating from UCLA had taught him a few valuable lessons. He was always a gentleman but he was not the marrying kind. He had seen his buddies lose their girlfriends and wives while they were away for so long on tour and he refused to put himself in that situation. He had tried when his tour was over but each time he met someone, his heart wasn’t in it. He was happy being a bachelor and he knew his decision to move back to LA would only confirm that for him. He was living the high life being a stock broker and his transfer to the corporate headquarters gave him the corner office with the view he’d been working so hard for. He would not have time to share life with anyone.
He cursed as he reached Rich’s voicemail for the third time. “I swear I’m not blowing you off man. I got caught up this morning. It’s a long story that you won’t be hearing because Molly will kill me. I’ll see you soon.” He tossed his phone onto the passenger seat.
He had time for one stop. Missing either would make Rich panic but only one would ruin the whole night. He needed to get the kegs.
****
Sophie looked around in awe. The vast backyard was perfectly groomed and caterers raced around making sure everything was perfect. The pool was lit with floating candles and there were flowers everywhere. She looked down at her black sundress and sandals and suddenly felt frumpy. She knew Rich came from money but she had no idea what that meant until now. She felt guilty for not paying more attention to Molly’s description of what Rich’s life had been like. She shivered wondering what the wedding would be like if this was only an engagement party.
“A friendly face!” Molly squealed behind her.
Sophie crossed her arms across her chest. “Next time you invite me over, could you give me a specific dress code? What is all this?”
Molly giggled, “This, babes, is my new life. Look around. This is the uncomfortable place I will be bringing my children for holidays. I don’t even know half these people.” She took a long swig of her champagne. “Rumor has it my brother has snuck a few kegs in the side yard so if this isn’t your scene…”
“Lead the way.” Sophie followed Molly through the maze of people in designer clothing and big hats.
Molly had hit the jackpot with Rich. He was a wonderful man; He held doors open for her and spent Sundays in pajama pants reading the paper and doing the crossword with her in his lap. He was classically handsome, tall, blond and very boy next door. The modest home they had purchased proved to Sophie that he was not being influenced by his parent’s money. Unt
il today, she would have never guessed Rich had grown up like LA royalty.
The sounds of the party became a little more rowdy as they rounded the estate. She sighed in relief thinking she would fit in a little better here.
“Marco!” Rich yelled from the center of the crowd. The two men embraced before Rich playfully smacked the side of his head. “Where were you man? I hope this thing fits you because I’m not going back there.”
The dark haired man looked smug. “Look, tux or kegs. Which is more important right now?”
“Ask my mom the same question on the wedding day when your pants are two sizes too small.”
“I think your mom will think I made the right choice if that’s the case.” He laughed, earning another smack on the head.
“Markie!!” Molly took off running into the arms of the dark haired stranger. He kissed her and spun her in a circle a few times before kissing her again. She buried her face into his chest and started crying.
“Shh Molls. I’m back and I’m not going anywhere.” He whispered as he kissed the top of her head and stepped back to look her in the eyes. “I need you to answer a serious question baby. Are you sure you want to marry this putz?” Another smack. “I really think you could do better. I mean, seriously, look at this dump. They haven’t kept it up at all.”
Molly laughed and snuggled in again. Sophie stood back about 6 feet, watching her best friend with this handsome man. His linen pants hung just perfectly on his hips and his un-tucked white shirt showed off his tanned and extremely toned arms. Her stomach fluttered as she stared at him. What was wrong with her? Reality check, she told herself. This guy is so far out of your league. She tried to will her hands to stop sweating when his piercing green eyes met hers.
Exposed: An Anthology Page 47