Just What The Doctor Ordered: A Lesbian Romance

by Lydia Rose

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Alexandra had tried on everything in her closet trying to decide what to wear tonight. Natalie will be picking her up in less than an hour and she had to decide on something. Alexandra put on the black pair of slacks she had tried on first, and added a light blue cashmere sweater. Her black boots gave her five foot three inch height another two inches. Looking at herself in the mirror, she was happy with the result. Although, in the back of her mind, Claire’s words were always there. She likes you. Friday at work she really didn’t have too much interaction with Rachel except when it was time to leave. She wished Alexandra good night and to have a good time with Natalie. As Rachel had said the words, Alexandra studied her face. Rachel was smiling, but the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. The knock on the door brought Alexandra back to the present.

  “Hi, Natalie. Please come in.” Alexandra opened the door and motioned with her hand.

  “Don’t you look nice,” Natalie said with a wide smile. She was wearing a perfectly fitting black skirt. The hem came to just above her knees and her black leather boots were just under her knees. The lavender silk blouse was opened at the neck. The black cashmere coat lay open.

  “Would you like to sit down?” Alexandra asked nervously.

  “No thanks. We have a seven-thirty reservation.”

  Alexandra went to the closet and took her coat out. Natalie was there to take it from her and help her put it on. “Thank you,” Alexandra said softly.

  Natalie could tell how nervous Alexandra was. She rested her hands on her shoulders. “Relax, Alexandra. I don’t bite.” Alexandra nodded as she turned to face her. “Let’s go have a nice dinner.”

  At the restaurant, Natalie ordered Alexandra a club soda and a glass of wine for herself. “Unless you’d rather have something else?”

  “No, that’s fine. Thank you.”

  “So how was your week?” Natalie asked, trying to make Alexandra more comfortable.

  “Work was fine. I had to take my next door neighbor to the emergency room on Thursday night because she cut her finger.”

  “Ooh, I don’t envy you. I imagine you sat there for a long time.”

  Alexandra smiled. “Nope. Rachel saved us. She was there with one of her patients when she spotted us. Rachel brought us right in and got a doctor to look at Claire.”

  Natalie watched as she told her the story and could tell how much she admired Rachel. Now she wondered if it was more than admiration. “It pays to know the right people,” Natalie said with a smile.

  “Claire was so thrilled that she’s going to make Rachel her special apple crumb cake this weekend.”

  “How old is this woman?” Natalie asked.

  “In her fifties, I think.”

  “Oh, too bad. I thought maybe you could fix Rachel up with her.”

  Alexandra laughed. “I’m sure Rachel doesn’t have any problems meeting women. She’s very beautiful.” Alexandra shrugged. “Besides, she’s a doctor. Can’t find a better catch.”

  Natalie watched as Alexandra spoke about Rachel. Her eyes lit up and her smile radiated. Now all she had to do was get Alexandra to look at her that way. “I’m a doctor too,” Natalie said wiggling her eyebrows.

  “Oh you’re a great catch too.” Alexandra was now laughing.

  “You didn’t feel forced into coming to dinner with me.” Her eyes found Alexandra’s. “Did you?”

  “Not at all, Natalie. I think you are so nice, and if you’ve been friends with Rachel all these years,” her shoulders came up, “you must be something special.”

  “Thank you,” Natalie said, blushing at the compliment.

  “You and Rachel were never together?” Alexandra asked boldly.

  “Eww, no. We met when we were thirteen years old and we became friends instantly. In high school we fell for the same girl, but she didn’t want anything to do with either one of us,” Natalie said with a laugh. “We grew into our looks. We both were kind of awkward and shy.”

  “I never would have believed that about either one of you.”

  The dinner ended all too soon and at Alexandra’s door Natalie took her hand. “I had a good time, Alexandra. I hope we can do it again.”

  “I’d like that, Natalie.”

  Natalie leaned in and kissed her softly. “Good night, Alexandra.” She smiled as their lips parted and watched Alexandra’s reaction.

  “Good night, Natalie.” Alexandra had a hint of a grin behind the smiling eyes. Once the door was closed, Alexandra sat down on the couch. Natalie had been wonderful company, and the soft kiss she gave her was nice. She wondered if her feelings could ever go beyond friends to lovers. Natalie’s presence did nothing to give her butterflies and though the kiss was nice, there were no flutters or sparks.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Monday morning Alexandra walked into the office and into Rachel’s office. She put the cake down on her desk with the card and went back to her work area. Rachel came into the office after rounds and went directly to her office. She came out a few minutes later and went up to Alexandra.

  “Alex,” she said shaking her head. “Claire didn’t have to go through the trouble.”

  “She wanted to thank you for your kindness and that cake is her specialty. You’re going to love it,” Alexandra said wearing a big smile.

  “I’ll write a thank you note for you to take to her.” Rachel turned. “I’ll put the cake in the break room so we can all enjoy it.”

  Callie was the first one to get to the cake. “Did you make that cake, Alex?” She asked licking her lips.

  “No. My neighbor made it as a thank you to Doctor Benson for helping her out in the ER last week.”

  “Helen, go try that cake,” Callie said as she walked toward them.

  “What cake?”

  “The cake Alex’s neighbor made for Rachel.”

  “Well, don’t you think Rachel should have had a piece first?” Helen asked shaking her finger.

  “I didn’t know until after I ate the cake.”

  Rachel came out of the examining room with a file. “I’ll see you in three months, Mrs. Kaufman.”

  “Thank you, Doctor.”

  Callie walked over to her. “Go have a piece of that cake. It’s fabulous.” Rachel looked at her watch. “I’ll give you a few minutes to enjoy before you go see your next patient.”

  Rachel walked up to Alexandra at the end of the day and handed her an envelope. “Would you please give this to Claire for me?”

  “Of course,” Alexandra said, putting the envelope in her purse. “Did you enjoy the cake?”

  “In Callie’s words, it was fabulous.” Rachel laughed. “How was your date?” She asked trying to sound casual.

  “It was very nice. Natalie made me feel very comfortable,” Alexandra said with a smile.

  “So are you going out again?”

  “I don’t know. I haven’t heard from her.”

  “Well, have a good evening Alex, and thanks for delivering the note to Claire.”

  “No problem. Good night.”

  *

  Rachel went back to her office and called Natalie. She didn’t greet Rachel, but said instead. “I knew you were dying to know.”

  “Know what?” Rachel asked with a laugh.

  “What did Alex tell you?” Natalie asked her friend.

  “She said it was nice and you made her feel comfortable.”

  “Is that all she said?”

  “Why what happened?”

  “Nothing.” Natalie took a deep breath. “I thought she would have sounded a little more enthusiastic.”

  “Natalie, I’m your friend and her employer. What did you think she would say? Oh, Rachel, Natalie is so dreamy. I can’t wait to see her again.”

  Natalie began to laugh. “Yeah, that would have been perfect.”

  “Did you kiss her?” Rachel asked hesitantly.

  “Rachel, what do you want me to say? Do you want me to say it was the most wonderful kiss I’ve ever had?�
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  “Was it?” Rachel pushed.

  “It was just a brief kiss and nothing more. It would have been better if she kissed me back.” Natalie admitted with a deep sigh.

  Rachel smiled. “I’m sorry, Nat.”

  “There’s nothing to be sorry about. The next time I kiss her, she will kiss me back.”

  “So you’re going to ask her out again?”

  “Yes I am.”

  “Alex said she hadn’t heard from you.”

  “I didn’t want to sound needy. I don’t want to smother her.”

  Rachel thought if it had been her, she would have called the next day telling Alexandra what a nice time she had and asked her out again. Natalie was different. Always had to seem aloof. It never worked in the past, but still she continued to use this strategy. “You know best.”

  “You’re darn right I do.” Natalie insisted.

  Rachel laughed. “If you aren’t going out with Alexandra this weekend, give me a call and we’ll do something.”

  “I think I’ll be busy, but if I’m not, I’ll call you,” she said with a laugh. Natalie ended her call with Rachel and called Alexandra.

  “Hi, Natalie,” Alexandra said as she answered the phone.

  “Hi yourself. I had a nice time on Saturday.”

  “Me too.” Alexandra wondered if Rachel had called Natalie.

  “Would you like to go out to dinner on Wednesday night?”

  Alexandra didn’t really want to dress up after working all day and suggested. “Why don’t you come here for dinner? I’ve got soup made and I can make a shrimp salad.”

  “Sure. What time?”

  “How’s seven? Dress casual, Natalie.” Alexandra asked.

  “See you then. Good bye, Alexandra.”

  “Good night, Natalie.” Alexandra disconnected the call and thought how strange that conversation was. It seemed like Natalie had called her at the insistence of someone else. She didn’t make small talk or ask about her day. Alexandra shrugged her shoulders and hoped the date on Wednesday might go better.

  *

  Wednesday evening Alexandra was packing up her things at closing time. Rachel smiled as she walked closer.

  “Hot date? You never leave here at closing time,” Rachel said with a smile.

  “Natalie’s coming over for dinner tonight.”

  “Cooking for her?” Rachel asked with her one eyebrow raised. “I have to tell you that if you think Nat’s going to reciprocate, it’ll never happen.” Rachel chuckled. “I don’t think Natalie even knows where her kitchen is in her house.” Rachel’s eyes opened wide as her hand went to her mouth. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

  Alexandra smiled. “Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me.”

  “Yeah, but suppose you get married and you keep this secret from her. No. I shouldn’t have said that and expect you to keep that a secret.”

  Now Alexandra’s eyes were opened wide at the words that were spilling out of Rachel’s mouth. “Married?” She finally asked when Rachel stopped talking. “Stop, please.”

  “I think I need my mouth taped because I don’t know what the hell I am saying.”

  “Rachel, we’ve only been out once and tonight is just dinner.”

  “I don’t know where that comment came from. It’s not like Natalie said she was in love with you or anything.” Rachel looked at Alexandra’s face. “I’m still doing it. I’m going to say good night and wish you a good evening.”

  “Good night, Rachel.” Alexandra called at her going down the hall. Married. What a riot.

  As soon as Alexandra opened the door for Natalie, her mouth seized Alexandra’s. Again Alexandra was caught off guard and she didn’t kiss her back. “You are going to have to give me some warning before you do that.”

  “Okay,” Natalie said, tucking the bottle of wine under her arm. “I’m going to kiss you again and would you please kiss me back?”

  Alexandra smiled and nodded. Their lips came together and this time Alexandra returned the kiss. It was better, but it just wasn’t right. “Can we try that again?”

  Natalie put the bottle of wine down and wrapped her arms around Alexandra. Their lips touched and the kiss deepened, but there was still something missing. Alexandra saw it in Natalie’s eyes too.

  “I just don’t do it for you. Do I?”

  Alexandra shrugged. “We’ve only kissed twice.”

  “I’ve kissed you three times since I walked in and it was nice, but it’s not…” Natalie admitted.

  “It’s not.” Alexandra knew exactly what Natalie meant. It was like kissing your cousin. “I’m sorry.”

  “Me too,” Natalie said sitting down. “Do you want me to leave?”

  “No. Let’s have dinner and talk as friends. I would very much like to get to know you Natalie.”

  After dinner they sat on the couch having coffee. Natalie moved closer. “You should ask Rachel out,” she said softly.

  “Rachel? Doctor Benson?”

  “Yes. I think you two would make a nice couple.”

  “Natalie, she’s my boss.”

  “So?”

  “I like my job. I would hate to lose it because things got funny between us.”

  “You know she likes you?”

  “My friend Claire said that too.” Alexandra couldn’t believe she said that out loud. “I don’t believe that. I think she’s just being nice to me.”

  “Okay. Do you want to have some fun?” Natalie asked as the wheels were turning in her head. “Don’t tell her we decided to be just friends.”

  “I can’t do that,” Alexandra said shocked.

  “I’ll show you just how much she likes you.”

  “Did you ask me out because you thought she was interested in me?”

  Natalie smiled. “I might have thought about that, but when I met you, I wanted you for myself. Trust me, it had nothing to do with you and Rachel.”

  “I can’t do what you asked, Natalie,” Alexandra said, shaking her head.

  “Okay. Just don’t say anything.”

  Alexandra nodded, thinking this was a big mistake. There was no way that Rachel was interested in her, and if she was, this stupid idea would certainly destroy any chance of them getting together. The first thing she was going to do is look for a new job.

  The following morning Alexandra went about her work. At lunchtime, she took her iPad into the break room and searched the want ads while she ate lunch. Rachel came in for a cup of coffee.

  “Hello, Alex. How’s it going?”

  Alexandra looked up. “Good.” She looked down again and continued her search.

  Rachel realized that Alexandra wasn’t going to continue the conversation, so she took her coffee and left.

  Alexandra looked up at the retreating woman and knew she was being rude, but she wasn’t interested in lying to her boss. The less conversation she had with her the better off she was, until she found a new job.

  Alexandra managed to make it through the day without speaking more than a few words to Rachel. She packed her things and left at the end of the day.

  Rachel was surprised that Alexandra was the first one to leave the office. She went to her office and called Natalie to see what was going on.

  “Hello, Rachel,” Natalie said almost laughing.

  “What did you do to her?”

  “I didn’t do anything to Alexandra, if that’s who you’re talking about.”

  “Alexandra couldn’t even look at me today. Let alone talk to me.” Rachel sighed. “Did you two sleep together?”

  “Rachel, why do you care what we are doing?”

  “I don’t care.” Rachel took a breath. “I just don’t want you to hurt her. She didn’t seem very happy today.”

  “I heard no complaints last night,” Natalie said with a loud laugh.

  “You slept with her on your second date? No wonder she seemed upset.”

  “Again, I heard no complaints from Alexandra last night.”

/>   “You’re a pig, Nat.”

  “You sound jealous, Rachel.”

  “I don’t want to talk to you anymore tonight. Good night.” Rachel ended the call.

  Monday morning when Alexandra came into the office, Helen and Callie came over to her.

  “It’s the doc’s birthday on Friday. We’re going to get her keys and decorate her house for a party after the office closes. The doc doesn’t like us to spend our money on gifts for her, so we have food, cake and drinks. Can you make something?” Callie asked.

  “Of course.”

  “We just do appetizers and such, nothing elaborate.” Helen added.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Friday morning, Alexandra drove up with her appetizers and left them in the car for now. Callie and Helen arrived a few minutes later. Callie went into Rachel’s office and got the spare keys she left there.

  “Do you have the food in your car?” Callie asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Give us your keys and we’ll take care of everything.”

  Within a half hour Helen and Callie returned after leaving the food in the refrigerator next door and banners were hung wishing the doctor a happy birthday.

  All day long, the three women pretended to have forgotten Rachel’s birthday. Natalie called her during the day.

  “Happy Birthday, Rachel,” Natalie said when she picked up her phone.

  “Thanks, Nat.”

  “I wish I were in town to celebrate with you.”

  “We’ll celebrate when you get back into town.”

  “Is your staff doing something?”

  “I think they’ve forgotten.”

  “I’m sorry, Rachel.”

  “Hey, I’m forty years old, not ten,” Rachel said with a laugh.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll make it up to you. Enjoy the rest of your day.”

  “See you Nat, and thanks for calling.”

  At three o’clock, Callie walked into Rachel’s office. “How about a drink at your place?” She asked holding up a bottle of wine.