Free Hardball by V.K. Sykes Page A

unladylike curse. “Rebecca, we just met. There is no Nate Carter and Holly Bell.”
    Her friend grabbed her elbow. “How did you actually meet him? Details. I want the details.”
    Holly sighed, regretting she had ever opened her mouth. “I was with one of my patients when he popped into the room for a visit with her. Then he came back the next day, we chatted for a few minutes, and he asked to speak to me outside the room.”
    “And?” Rebecca’s tongue was practically hanging out.
    “And we went to the cafeteria for tea and coffee. He’s something of a charmer, for sure, but he sure doesn’t mince words.” She clamped her lips shut, realizing too late what she had just revealed.
    Rebecca pounced. “My God, you’re embarrassed! What did he say?”
    Holly was embarrassed. “He said straight out of the blue that I was the hottest doctor in the city,” she said. “Pretty crazy, huh?” Saying it out loud made her feel even sillier.
    Rebecca’s gaze softened. “Sweetie, you are hot, even though you’d bite your tongue off before ever admitting it.” She paused a few moments, as if she were debating what to say next. “But I’m not surprised he said that,” Rebecca finally said. “Because that sounds exactly like the Nate Carter I’ve heard so much about.”
    Oh, oh. “I don’t like the sound of that,” Holly said. “What do you mean?”
    “Let’s just say he’s got something of a reputation. I’m sure you understand why.”
    Holly waved an impatient hand. “Actually, I don’t. Are you saying he’s the hit and run type?”
    Rebecca hesitated again. “I don’t think so. I seem to remember he had a pretty serious relationship with a sportswriter a few years ago. But, still, I gather there’s a trail of broken hearts behind him that would span the Delaware River.”
    No surprise there, but that didn’t make it any easier to hear. Not that it should matter. After all, the chances of a serious relationship emerging between Holly and Nate Carter had to be about zero.
    She gave what she hoped was a careless shrug. “He doesn’t seem to be the kind of guy who would bother with someone like me. Not when he has his pick of models or actresses. That’s who athletes usually hook up with, right?”
    Rebecca snorted. “Way to sell yourself short, girlfriend. Listen. You’re beautiful and smart and the nicest person I know. It doesn’t surprise me a bit that Carter would hit on you. Plus, he’d probably see it as a challenge to bed a brainy doctor.”
    Shocked, Holly flinched.
    Rebecca’s eyes widened. “Oops. Sorry, Holly. My bad. Look, I’m sure he’s genuinely attracted to you. He’d be nuts not to be.” She gave an encouraging smile.
    Holly stared at her friend, hating the sympathy she saw in her gaze. A challenge to bed a brainy doctor. Sadly, those words had the ring of truth.
    “It’s okay,” she finally said, “I’m glad you told me. You may be right about him.”
    Rebecca slipped her arm around Holly’s waist and began to guide her down the corridor. “Look at it this way. You could sure use some fun. So, why not go out with one of the hottest guys around? Just take it for what it is, and be careful not to let yourself get hurt.”
    Holly let her friend lead her into next gallery. As they strolled by cabinets filled with antique china, she tried to separate her anxieties from her desires, but ended up feeling more confused than ever. And annoyed. It wasn’t like her to be so indecisive. Maybe Rebecca was right. She shouldn’t try to analyze it. Instead, she should just take her encounters with Nate Carter at face value and see what happened at the golf dinner on Monday.
    “Actually, he already asked me out. Sort of,” Holly said as she peered at a delicate Ming bowl. She avoided looking at her friend.
    “Sort of?” Rebecca’s voice didn’t conceal her skepticism.
    “He invited me to be part of his table at the banquet of his golf tournament fundraiser. Since he’s