by Lydia Rose
“Hey, Rachel,” Natalie said when she answered the phone.
“Hey. How about going dancing tomorrow night?” Rachel asked.
“You need to get laid, huh?” Natalie asked laughing.
“Yeah, I do.”
“Who’s got your panties in a bunch?”
Rachel thought for a minute if she should say. Knowing Natalie wouldn’t divulge her secrets, she said. “A new employee in my office.”
“Oh, so she’s cute?”
“Beautiful. Callie gave her a makeover and she looks fantastic.
“What was wrong with her before?”
“She was hiding herself behind straight, long hair and no make-up. You know I’m not big on make-up, but this woman now wears just enough to highlight her features.”
“So since you can’t take your employee to bed, you need me as your wing woman?”
“Yeah, I do,” she said embarrassed.
Natalie laughed. “I’ll meet you at Carol’s at eight o’clock.”
“Thanks, Nat. See you there.”
“Remember that when I need a wing woman,” Natalie said with a laugh before disconnecting the call. “You also will owe me dinner.”
Rachel walked into the bar to find Natalie already at the bar. She took the seat next to her and waved at the bartender. “Hey, Nat. Any action yet?”
“I am not looking to hook up like you are.”
“Yeah, yeah. When was the last time you got laid?”
“That’s none of your business,” Natalie said picking up her drink.
“It’s been that long, huh? Can’t remember?”
“I’m looking for love, Rachel.”
“Well, who isn’t,” Rachel said with a deep sigh.
Before they were on their second drink, a woman came up to Rachel and asked her to dance. She glanced at Natalie and got off the stool. “I’ll see you,” she said taking the woman’s hand.
Rachel danced with the woman for three fast dances before the music slowed down. As soon as the lights dimmed, the stranger pulled Rachel into her body. Her thigh now rested against Rachel’s core as they moved in place.
“Is your apartment close?” Rachel asked her.
The woman smiled and pulled Rachel by the hand. “It’s five minutes away.”
“I’ll follow you,” Rachel said looking at Natalie before she left the bar.
As soon as they were in the door, Rachel was on her. “Bedroom,” she whispered as her lips pounced.
“Anxious are you?” The woman asked.
They were in the bedroom stripping their clothes in a frenzy.
“Slow down, baby. We’ve got all night.”
That’s what you think. Rachel was grinding into this stranger as if her life depended on it. They both came quickly. The second time was a little slower, but not by much, and then Rachel’s phone rang. She jumped off the bed. “This is Doctor,” she lowered her voice. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.” Rachel came back into the bedroom gathering her clothes. “I’m sorry, but one of my patients is in the ER. I’ve got to go.”
“You’re a doctor?” The woman asked.
Rachel nodded and continued to dress. She kissed her mouth softly. “It was fun. Thanks.”
Rachel drove home knowing there was no patient. She had set her phone to call her after an hour. Rachel had used this trick with all of her one night stands.
CHAPTER FIVE
The next day Natalie called Rachel. “Hey,” she said as she answered her phone.
“Hey, yourself. So how was it?” Natalie asked.
“Fine.”
“So when are you taking me out to dinner?” Natalie asked with a laugh.
“How about Friday night? You can pick me up at the house or office.”
“Okay, see you then.” Natalie disconnected the call with a laugh.
“Hello, Mrs. Lauer, how are you feeling?” Rachel asked as she walked into the examining room.
“Getting old, doctor.”
Rachel laughed. “Aren’t we all?” She looked at the woman’s vital signs that Callie had taken. “Your blood pressure is good and the blood work doesn’t show any changes. You’re doing well.”
By the end of the day, Rachel and her staff were tired from another busy day.
“I’m going home,” Helen said putting on her coat.
“Me too. I’m beat.” Callie added. “How about you, Alex? Ready to get out of here?”
Alexandra smiled. “Yes, I’m kind of tired myself.”
*
Friday afternoon, Natalie walked into the doctor’s office. She walked up to the window and smiled. “Hi,” she said with a tap on the glass.
Alexandra stood up and slid the glass open. “Good afternoon.”
“I’m Natalie, Rachel’s best friend.” Her smile never wavered. “You must be Alexandra?”
Alexandra nodded. “I am. Is the doctor expecting you?” She asked with a smile.
“She better be. Rachel promised me dinner tonight,” Natalie said joking.
“Please come around.”
Natalie opened the door.
“Natalie,” Callie said approaching her. “It’s been a while since you’ve been here.” Her arms went around the woman and squeezed.
Natalie chuckled. “It’s good to see you too, Callie.”
Helen came out next. “Natalie.” Her arms went around Natalie too. “To what do we owe this pleasure?”
“Your boss promised me dinner.”
Rachel heard voices and came out of her office. “You’re kind of early, Nat.”
“I wanted to see the girls,” she said glancing at all of them. “Why don’t all of you come with us? We’ll have fun.”
“Wish I could,” Callie said.
“Me too, but I have plans.” Helen added.
Callie looked at Alexandra. “You should go with them, Alex.”
Alexandra’s face showed shock. “Thank you, but no,” she said softly.
Natalie walked over to her. “Come with us, Alexandra. After twenty seven years of friendship, our conversations are bordering on boring.” Natalie moved closer. “You’re the only employee I don’t know yet.”
“Leave her alone, Nat. If Alex doesn’t want to come with us, she doesn’t have to.”
Natalie looked at Alexandra waiting for her answer.
“I still have work to do,” Alexandra said.
“Oh, we’re not going yet. Let us know when you’re ready and we’ll go,” Natalie said, never losing eye contact with her.
Alexandra smiled and nodded. “Okay.”
Callie and Helen left and Natalie went with Rachel next door to her house. Alexandra wondered why she just didn’t tell Natalie that she didn’t want to go to dinner. It was the way Natalie looked at her that she just couldn’t say no. She shrugged and went back to her work.
Once Rachel had Natalie in her house, she started. “What the hell are you doing?”
“I’m not doing anything,” Natalie said innocently.
“Leave Alex alone,” Rachel said, pouring each of them a glass of wine.
“Why? You said you couldn’t date her because she’s an employee, but there’s nothing stopping me from asking her out.” Natalie took a sip of her wine. “She’s cute and when was the last time I met a woman that wasn’t a psycho?”
“Do not push Alex. I’m sure she has no idea what your intentions are.”
“Well, she will by the end of the evening.” Natalie pursed her lips. “If she’s not interested in dating me,” she shrugged. “So be it.”
“You better mean that. If she says no, leave it at that. Okay?” Rachel asked.
Natalie nodded. “Fine.”
Rachel opened the front door for Alexandra. “Come on in,” she said as Alexandra came into the house. “Natalie will be right down.” She leaned in. “She’s touching up her make-up.”
“Is Natalie a doctor too?” Alexandra asked.
Rachel nodded. “She’s a plastic surgeon.”
Rachel saw the look on Alexandra’s face and understood. “Natalie’s not like that. She won’t want to get you under the knife.”
“Of course not,” Natalie said coming down the stairs. “You are a beautiful woman, Alexandra. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Alexandra turned beet red feeling uncomfortable. “You have a lovely house,” she said changing the subject.
“It’s comfortable and convenient,” Rachel said with a chuckle.
The house wasn’t large, but the fireplace in the living room made the room look cozy and comfortable. Alexandra could see the large kitchen off the dining room and knew she’d love to cook in that room.
“Are we ready?” Natalie asked impatient.
“Let’s go,” Rachel said.
“I’ll drive,” Natalie said, already leading them to her expensive car.
Once at the restaurant, Natalie and Rachel ordered a glass of wine.
“I’ll have a club soda,” Alexandra said to the waiter. The women looked at her. “I’m not much of a drinker,” she said with a shrug.
Rachel and Natalie ordered two different appetizers for the three of them to share.
“So are you originally from California?” Natalie asked, trying to find out information about Alexandra.
“No. I’m from New Jersey.”
Natalie chuckled. “How did you end up out here?”
“School. I went to Cal Tech on a scholarship.”
“Really?” Rachel asked. “What did you major in?”
“Computer Science. I wanted to go for my masters, but I didn’t have the money. That’s how I ended up working for Doctor Hanson. I had hoped to save enough money, but I liked what I was doing.”
“So you can service our computers in the office if need be?” Rachel asked smiling.
Alexandra nodded. “Sure.”
“If we have problems, I’ll pay you extra for your services. It will be so great to have someone in the office who knows what they are doing with our systems.”
“Enough about work,” Natalie said smiling. “Are you seeing anyone?” She asked leaning closer to Alexandra.
Alexandra looked at Rachel before answering. “No,” she said quietly.
Rachel pursed her lips and gave Natalie a glare. “Good to know,” she said with a chuckle.
Natalie drove them back to Rachel’s house. “Thank you both for dinner. It’s been a while since I had such a nice dinner.” Alexandra was already opening the car door.
“It was our pleasure, Alexandra. I hope we can do it again soon,” Natalie said with a grin.
“Rachel, I’ll see you on Monday and it was pleasure to meet you Natalie. I can see why you two have been friends for so long.”
“Good night, Alex,” Rachel said with a nod.
Alexandra walked to her car as Rachel and Natalie went back into the house.
CHAPTER SIX
Late Monday afternoon, Alexandra picked up the phone. “Doctor Benson’s office.”
“Hi, Alexandra. How are you?”
“Fine.” Alexandra answered, unsure who she was speaking to.
“This is Natalie. You know, Rachel’s friend.”
“Of course. I thought your voice sounded familiar. Would you like to speak to Rachel?”
“Uh, no. Actually I called to speak with you.”
“Me?” Alexandra said touching her hand to her chest.
“Yes,” Natalie chuckled, “I wanted to see if you wanted to go to dinner with me on Saturday night.”
“And Doctor Benson?” Alexandra asked.
Natalie laughed. “No. Alexandra, I’m asking if you want to go out with me?”
“Oh,” Alexandra said softly.
“Is that oh, great or oh, shit?”
Alexandra now chuckled. “I’m not sure what Doctor Benson would say?”
“Alexandra, your personal life has nothing to do with Rachel.” Natalie sighed. “I like you, Alexandra.”
“I don’t know what to say.” Alexandra admitted.
“Say yes.”
Alexandra laughed. “Yes.”
They exchanged phone information and Alexandra said she would text Natalie her address.
Helen and Callie had already left the office that evening and Alexandra was packing up her things when Doctor Benson came out of her office.
“Hi,” Rachel said softly as she approached Alexandra.
“Hello, Rachel. Tough day?” Alexandra asked, putting on her coat.
“Not too bad.” Rachel moved closer. “I hope Natalie didn’t force you to go out with her?” She asked looking at Alexandra’s face.
Alexandra looked at her and smiled. “Not at all. I was surprised, but…” She didn’t finish.
“Good. Natalie is a wonderful woman and she’ll treat you right,” Rachel admitted.
“That will be a change then,” Alexandra said with a laugh.
“Have a good evening, Alex.”
“You too. Good night.”
Rachel stood there watching Alexandra leave. She was envious of Natalie having the opportunity to date this sweet woman. Over the short time that Alexandra worked for her she could tell how kind Alexandra was. She was always willing to help around the office and she got along with all of her patients. Rachel wished that the circumstances were different and she could be the one taking Alexandra out.
*
Thursday night, Rachel found herself in the hospital when one of her patients had come into the ER complaining of chest pains. She waited while tests were being done and for the heart specialist to arrive. Walking out to the waiting room to get a cup of coffee, she saw Alexandra sitting there.
“Alex, are you okay?” Rachel asked anxiously.
“Yes, Doctor Benson. I’m here with my neighbor.” She pointed to the woman next to her.
“What happened?” Rachel asked, seeing the woman’s hand wrapped in a bloody rag.
“Chopping veggies,” the woman said with a grin.
“What’s your name?” Rachel asked.
“Claire Robertson.”
Rachel walked over to the admitting desk and spoke with the nurse. She waved Alexandra and Claire over. “Come with me.” Rachel led them to one of the examining room. “I’ll get a doctor to look at you.”
Claire looked at Alexandra. “That’s the doctor you work for?”
Alexandra nodded. “Yes. She’s great, isn’t she?”
“I’ll say. She kept us from waiting hours.”
A few minutes later a doctor came in and took care of Claire.
Alexandra stepped out of the room looking to see if she could find Rachel to thank her. She saw her standing by the nurse’s station. “Thank you, Doctor Benson for helping Claire. She was getting nervous sitting out there so long.”
“I’m glad I could help. Would you like to get a cup of coffee? I never did get my cup earlier.”
“Let me just go tell Claire.” Alexandra went back into Claire’s room and came out a few minutes later.
They walked to the coffee cart and ordered their coffee. “Would you like something to eat?” Rachel asked.
“No thank you, Doctor Benson.”
Rachel leaned closer. “We’re alone, Alex. You can call me Rachel.” She led Alexandra over to a nearby table. “We will be able to see Claire come out from here.”
The longer she worked with this doctor, the more she liked her. Doctor Hanson had been so formal and her position never went beyond professional in the ten years she worked for him. Rachel was different. She was friendly and insisted she call her Rachel. Dinner that night with her and Natalie had been wonderful. The three of them spoke that evening as if they had been friends for years. Both women had made her feel comfortable the moment they sat down at the table. She looked at the smiling Rachel and wished she was having dinner with her on Saturday instead of Natalie. Her friend seemed very nice, but there was just something about Rachel that
tugged at her heart. She thought it might just be hero worship, but she knew there was something more. A hand appeared in front of her face and she looked at Rachel.
“Where did you go?” Rachel asked with a chuckle.
“I guess I was just daydreaming,” she said embarrassed.
“Thinking about your date with Natalie?” Rachel asked with a grin.
Alexandra shook her head blushing. “No.”
“I’m only teasing you, Alex.” Rachel looked up. “There’s Claire now.”
They both got up from the table and walked toward her. “How are you feeling, Claire?” Alexandra asked.
“Good. Thanks to Doctor Benson here.”
“Think nothing of it and be careful chopping in the future,” Rachel said with a laugh.
“Thank you again, Doctor Benson.” Alexandra added as she took Claire’s arm. “Let’s get you home, Claire.”
“Good night, you two.”
“Good night, Doctor,” the two women said.
“I think I’ll make Doctor Benson my special apple crumb cake,” Claire said on the way home.
“I’m sure the good doctor isn’t expecting anything from you, Claire.” Alexandra chuckled.
“She likes you,” Claire said softly.
“She likes everyone. Rachel treats everyone with kindness and care.”
“No, it’s more than that, Alex. I saw the way she was looking at you,” Claire persisted. “You should ask her out.”
“Claire, Doctor Benson is my employer. I can’t just ask her out.” Alexandra sighed. “Besides, I have a date with her best friend Saturday night.”
“What does the doctor think about that?” Claire asked, turning in her seat.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, if I liked someone and they were going out with my best friend, I wouldn’t be too happy about it.” Claire patted Alexandra’s hand.
Luckily, the women pulled up to the apartment building and this weird conversation ceased.
Alexandra got Claire settled into her apartment and went next door to her own little place. She jumped in the shower and got ready for bed. As she laid there in bed, she thought about Claire’s words. She likes you. Rachel had shown her only kindness and there was no indication that it was anything other than being her employer.