Free Have Baby, Need Beau by Rita Herron

to.
    Tears sprang to her eyes and she twisted the box in her hands. She was so emotional this week, too. All hormonal, which was a bad sign, too. Of course, it could be a good sign, a sign she was on the verge—why did women have to deal with all these hormones, anyway?
    She almost dropped the box and had to spread the paper on top of the hope chest to read it. With every nerve in her body on alert, she removed the vial and headed for the bathroom. In a few minutes she would have the answer. She’d read the test results and feel better.
    Then she could get on with her life, meet Hannah and Alison for lunch, and forget that she’d ever had any connection with Seth Broadhurst.
    * * *
    Seth struggled to maintain a professional expression as his parents sang the praises of the ER physician who’d replaced Hannah when she’d decided to go into family practice. Eleanor Bainbridge had graduated top in her class, completed a residency at Johns Hopkins, had published several research papers and came with an impeccable reputation. He cut into his glazed chicken and forced himself to listen as she described her future goals—impressive.
    “I’m delighted they’ve asked me to consider being head of ER. I’ve always wanted to settle in a small town.”
    “Sugar Hill General is lucky to have you on their staff,” Seth’s father said. “I say we have a toast.”
    Seth raised his glass dutifully and clinked his glass with everyone’s, acknowledging the doctor’s accomplishments with a sincere smile and giving his father a fake one. His parents were playing matchmaker. He had to admit Dr. Bainbridge was attractive. She had dark-blond hair, big brown eyes and a nice figure.
    But she was the most boring woman he’d ever met. Mimi would think he and Eleanor made the perfect couple.
    “Seth has been on staff at Sugar Hill General for five years now,” his mother said none too subtly. “I’m sure he wouldn’t mind showing you around town, Dr. Bainbridge.”
    Seth shot her a warning look. She always thought she knew the type of woman best for him. Unfortunately none of them had ever floated his boat.
    He ran a hand over his jaw, irritated. One night with Mimi and now he was starting to think like her. And he couldn’t get her out of his mind. Mimi stirring chocolate frosting. Mimi in that short skirt with those dynamite legs. Mimi smiling up at him when they’d danced. Mimi lying naked in his arms.
    Mimi, who didn’t think he was all that attractive.
    He was pathetic. All he could do was sit and compare her with every other woman be met.
    Dr. Bainbridge pressed her hand over his. “I’d love to have you show me around, Seth—that is, if you don’t mind.”
    Seth nodded, his jaw tight. Then his stomach twisted when he spotted Mimi and her sisters enter the restaurant.
    * * *
    Thank God the pregnancy test had been negative, Mimi thought when she spotted Seth having lunch with another woman. Not only having lunch but holding hands.
    And in front of his parents. Someone they would approve of, no doubt.
    Apparently he’d moved past his little fling with her and hadn’t been too worried about the possibility of consequences from their night—not if he was already cozying up with someone else. Of course, his new girlfriend was probably a doctor like Hannah. Her stomach convulsed. Dear God, the woman even resembled Hannah. Maybe he still did have feelings for her sister.
    “Oh, my gosh, there’s Seth.” Alison caught Mimi by the hand and gave her an odd look, then lowered her voice so Hannah wouldn’t hear. “You want to go somewhere else?”
    Mimi stopped in the entrance while Hannah spoke to the maitre d’. “No, it’s no big deal. We live in a small town. We’re bound to run into each other all the time.”
    “Who’s that woman with him?” Alison asked.
    “She’s the new head of ER.” Hannah had returned, motioning that their table was ready. “I met her when they were conducting interviews.”
    Seth