“Where?”
“At Kinnections, of course.”
Kennedy and Arilyn high-fived. “Yes, that’s perfect,” Kennedy squealed. “We’re growing so fast we’re getting behind and need to hire another assistant. You start tomorrow.”
“What? I can’t work for Kinnections! I know nothing about matchmaking.”
“You don’t need to,” Kate said briskly. “We’ll teach you what you need, but you already have half the battle won. You’ve always had an amazing instinct about people. You just need to rediscover that part again.”
The idea was so ridiculous she almost believed it could work. She’d learn about her friends’ business, keep busy, and help out. She’d get paid. And what better environment than around the people she loved best?
“I’m not letting you say no, so just get over it,” Kate said.
Gen grinned. “You’re always so bossy.”
“Yeah, Slade loves it.”
Ken rolled her eyes. “Oh please, he’s so the dom in your relationship. You get all gooey when he commands you to do all sorts of nasty things.”
Kate sniffed. “What’s Nate studying now, Ken? Anal play?”
Gen laughed at the red flush on Kennedy’s cheeks. Priceless. Her geeky rocket scientist had a passion for studying academics and new subjects that included the best ways to have sex. His inventiveness had kept their sex life quite active. Many times Kate said she’d found Ken asleep at her desk in a desperate effort for some actual sleep.
A pang of longing hit. That should’ve been her and David. She wondered if there’d ever be someone who’d understand and love her for who she was, warts and issues included. As much as she didn’t want to admit it, her confidence was badly shaken. Would a man ever want her with such a raw passion and longing? Was it even possible for her?
The memory of Wolfe’s kiss flashed before her. The solid press of his erection against her thigh. The blistering heat of his skin. The thrust of his tongue claiming her mouth. Yes. With David there was a physical connection, especially in the beginning, but it faded to technique and never cut deep. Just that one kiss from Wolfe gave her a taste of what he’d bring to his partners in bed. Was that wrong to crave such passion for herself?
She pushed the thoughts out of her mind and tried to focus on the present. “If you think I can be helpful, I’ll do it.”
Kate smiled with satisfaction. “Good. Nine o’clock. This is going to be epic.”
“But first you have to shower,” Ken piped up.
Arilyn patted her shoulder. “Why don’t you clean up and we’ll order some takeout from Mugs? We can have a movie night.”
“Oh, how about The Heat with Sandra Bullock? That was hysterical,” Kate said.
Ken sighed. “You and your comedies. How about Magic Mike?”
Arilyn shook her head. “We’ve seen that together three times. There’s no plot.”
Ken lifted a brow. “And your point is?”
Gen got up from the bed and headed for the shower. A glimmer of hope flared. She’d get to the other side eventually, and things would work out. And if she was a surgical dropout and future spinster, so what? She had great friends, family, and a working brain and body.
Today, that was enough.
“HI, WELCOME TO KINNECTIONS—Wolfe? What are you doing here?”
Oh, he wanted to strangle her.
He strode over to the receptionist’s desk, where those wide navy blue eyes looked innocent. He was used to seeing her in scrubs or jeans, so the sexy black lace top and flash of bare leg from her skirt threw him off for a moment. Her usual ponytail had been replaced by curls flying free over her shoulders. Chestnut waves flopped over one eye, which looked annoying but damn seductive. Flirty. Definitely not like the Gen he knew.
He laid both palms flat on the desk and leaned over. “I think the better question is, what are you doing here?”
She gave a pout. Was she wearing lipstick? He wouldn’t have pegged her to wear a bold color, but the rich, coffee-colored lipstick clung to her mouth and tempted a man to try a sip.
What the hell was he thinking?
“You’re in a mood. I work here now.”
His temper rose another notch. “You’re a doctor. Why aren’t you at the hospital?”
She shifted in the chair. “I quit.”
He turned. “I’m going to kill the son of a bitch. Wait here.”
Wolfe took a few steps before she scrambled and skid ahead of him, blocking his exit. “Kate already tried twice. Listen, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but it’s for the best. There was an incident and I realized I won’t be able to work there.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? I get a text saying you’re working late, then staying at Kate’s. You refuse to answer my calls, and when I finally get in touch with Kate, she says you’re not with her. Crap, Gen, you gave me a heart attack! I’m stuck at the convention with a bunch of suits and couldn’t get to you. What incident?”
“A patient thing. I needed some time alone and didn’t want to bother anyone.”
Wolfe gritted his teeth and prayed for calm. “You’re not a bother. You’re my friend.”
Her face softened and she grabbed his arms. Her fingers lay directly over the thin leather that covered his wrists, but the heat from her touch still burned. “I know. You have to understand how I’ve been feeling lately. Like a whiny, pitying, weak female. Suddenly I’m doing all these crazy things and I broke. I’m better now, but thank you.”