Page 40 of The Surrogate Nanny
I sucked my teeth when I received Simone’s text asking me which dress she should wear on her date with my best friend.
Neither, was what I wanted to say, but I didn’t want her to think it was because I’d found the dresses unattractive on her. It was the complete opposite. Both dresses were tantalizing—sexy but still modest, something only Simone could pull off. I imagined which dress I would prefer if we went on a date.
Anthony: The black one.
Simone: You must’ve read my mind. Thanks. How is your appointment going?
Anthony: Still waiting to be seen. If they don’t call me back in the next five minutes, then I’m leaving.
Simone: I’d drive you right back.
I snorted and rolled my eyes. She would.
Anthony: How long will you be out?
Simone: Why?
Anthony: I wouldn’t be able to sleep knowing you weren’t home safe.
Simone: Who says I’m coming home tonight?
My fingers curled around my phone, threatening to shatter it into a million pieces.
Simone: I’m joking. I won’t be too late.
“Powell?” a nurse called.
Anthony: They’re calling me back now. I’ll see you soon.
I slid my phone into the pocket of my loose jogging shorts and followed the nurse to the examination rooms.
“Can you step on the scale for me, please?” My anxiety revved up when her eyebrows knitted together in what I could only imagine was disapproval.
“Is something wrong?”
“You gained 10 pounds since your last appointment. Is everything all right at home? You’re not stress eating, are you?”
I bit back a smile. “Everything at home is perfect. My daughter’s nanny keeps me well-fed, and I can’t really go jogging, can I?”
“I guess not,” she mumbled. “But there are other exercises you can do. Please step off and take a seat. I need to check your vitals. Do you have access to a pool, Mr. Powell?”
“I do, but I haven’t used it in forever.”
“My advice to you is to get back to swimming. It’s an excellent way to exercise and have fun,” she insisted as she wrapped a cuff around my arm. The thought of seeing Simone in a bathing suit was all the motivation I needed to set a reminder to call the pool cleaning company. “Your blood pressure is beautiful,” she complimented. “Do you have any questions before Dr. Christy joins you?”
“No.”
“He’ll be right in.”
I didn’t have to wait long for the overly upbeat doctor to enter the sterile room.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Powell. How are we feeling?”
Awful. The woman I have feelings for is going on a date with my best friend.
“In a lot of pain,” I answered candidly.
“Where are you at most days on a scale of 1-10?”