Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87990 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87990 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
“So, how was it?” I asked Hale once we placed our order.
“Which part? The part when my wife took a ten-inch dildo or the part when I got to jerk off to porn?”
“They gave you porn?” I scoffed. “See! This is exactly why I hate the patriarchy!”
“You think those imaginary old men around the poker table ordered that porn for me?”
“They are the patriarchy.”
“Of course they are.”
“And that dildo-cam could have been a few inches shorter. I blame them for that, too.”
“Right.”
When our drinks arrived, we did a quick cheers. “To fertility,” I said, taking a big gulp of my margarita. “God, I miss tequila.”
“Then why did you order a virgin margarita?”
“I’m trying something new. Plants and stuff. It’s supposed to keep me more grounded and connected to nature.”
“And the plant that grows the margarita is…?”
“A lime. Duh.”
“Of course.”
My spiritually awakened appetite took a nose dive when Hale ordered a steak. “Make that two,” I said, changing my order at the last second.
“Do you want that with the salad or without?”
“You can cancel the salad.”
The waiter nodded and walked away. Hale arched a brow.
“Don’t judge me. Cows eat grass. I’m getting nutrients from somewhere.”
He held up his hands. “I never told you to eat plants and give up alcohol or meat. I like you happy and a little drunk.”
I pursed my lips. “That’s because I’m a cheap date.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that.” He lifted my left hand and traced his thumb over my wedding ring. “You’ve cost me more than any other woman.”
“Just wait. Your daughter’s been in princess training since birth.”
“She’s your daughter, too.”
“I know.” And I did know. I loved that little peanut with every ounce of my heart. Sometimes, I worried it would be impossible tolove a second child as much.Elara already owned so much of my heart. “You’re lucky I’m so down to earth, otherwise you’d really have your hands full.”
He kissed my hand. “I am lucky.”
I sipped my margarita, which was really just a slurpy with an umbrella in it. “Do you think the universe gives us exactly what we need?”
“I think the powerful people have power because they know how to take control.”
That theory didn’t help us out when it came to family planning. “You can’t command everything, Hale.”
“If I covet something, I’ll stop at nothing to get it.” He touched my wedding ring again. “Case in point, I have you.”
“You’re such a sexy, savage capitalist. Tell me more, Big Daddy. ”
He sipped his old fashioned. “Men who have everything they want don’t need to brag.”
“You don’t have everything you want.”
His fingers laced with mine. “It’ll happen, Rayne.”
I wish I had his confidence.
After dinner, we returned to the clinic. I was once again nervous for reasons I didn’t understand. We waited for Dr. Seacrest in a small conference room where I critically judged the minimalist decor.
“Do you think the different holding areas are for different purposes?”
Hale looked up from his phone. “What do you mean?”
“Like, does us waiting in here imply something about our results?”
“No, I think our chart tells them about our results.”
He was always so logical. “Do you think you gave them a good sample?” I made a fist and flexed my muscle. “Strong?”
“Did you just ask if my semen was strong?”
I shrugged. “Well, they should be, right? That’s a long ass journey for those little guys. Plus, it’s a race. I like to picture them storming my ovaries as Flight of the Valkyries plays.”
He silently chuckled then said, “Yes, they were strong.”
“Good.” I chewed my lip nervously. “I hope my ovaries were photogenic.”
The door finally opened. “Davenports, how was dinner?”
We pushed through the tedious small talk, but I was anxious to get to the results. “Did you find anything concerning?” Hale took my hand, silently urging me to calm down.
“Actually, I did.”
I clenched. This was it. This was the moment she told me I was as barren as the old west during a high noon shoot out.
“You can relax, Rayne. I have good news. I’m almost certain I’ve figured out the issue.”
“So, there is an issue?” Hale asked, shifting in his seat to sit a little straighter.
Oh, God. It was me. I was a faulty model. Or was it him? Maybe his swimmers were just a bunch of doggy paddling lost boys.
“A minor one,” the doctor clarified.
“Mine or his?” I blurted, unable to bear the suspense. “Just give it to me straight, Doc. It’s me, isn’t it? My plumbing’s all clogged, isn’t it? I knew it. The Reiki lady said I was stuck. I eat a lot of dairy.”
“Rayne, baby, let her talk.” Hale squeezed my clammy hand in both of his.
But my hands weren’t sweating. That was Hale’s sweat. Oh, God, if Hale was nervous, we were screwed. He was supposed to be the calm one!
“It comes down to timing,” Dr. Seacrest explained. “All of your test results were healthy. Sperm mobility is good and I saw no uterine abnormalities. You have a thick, well-developed endometrium, Rayne, which is optimal for conception.”