Read Online Keeping Score by Regina Hart - Free Book Online Page B

more about the hospital and our patients.”
    “But you don’t have to be here. You don’t have to work.”
    Marilyn blinked in mock surprise. “I wish you’d told me that eight years ago—before medical school and my residency.”
    Arthur shrugged. “You know now. So why are you still working?”
    “Would you ask the same question of a male doctor?”
    “Yes, I would.”
    She believed him. “I love what I do. I wouldn’t give it up even if I hit the lottery.”
    Marilyn turned toward the obstetrics and gynecology unit. She manufactured a brisk and confident gait as she strode away from Arthur. For years, she’d wanted to be a baby doctor. So her presence was a distraction for the hospital? Too bad. She wasn’t giving up her dream for anything. Arthur would just have to deal with her.
    Marilyn hesitated. She glanced around the hallway as people maneuvered around her. Was that the way Warrick felt about his career? His passion, commitment, and talent had led him to be one of the few players who succeeded in the NBA. His dream had come true just as hers had. How could she then ask him to give that up? But what would happen to them if he didn’t?
     
     
    “Lena, you’re progressing wonderfully.” Marilyn spoke with satisfaction after completing her patient’s prenatal screening later that afternoon. She removed her gloves and closed the manila folder in which she kept Lena Alvarez’s medical files. “You’re right where you should be in your third trimester.”
    “It’s not as though this is my first time.” The very pregnant mother of three wiggled into a more comfortable reclining position on the examination table.
    Marilyn grinned. “Do you have any questions for me?”
    “Yes.” Lena rested the palms of her small hands on her belly. “When are you and Rick Evans getting back together?”
    Marilyn’s smile faded. Had she heard the other woman correctly? “Excuse me?”
    Lena’s Puerto Rican accent was more pronounced as she spoke louder. “I said when are you and Rick Evans getting back together?”
    Marilyn’s gaze darted around the tiny yellow and white exam room. “Lena, when I asked if you had any questions for me, I meant questions that pertained to your health—”
    “This does concern my health.” Lena rubbed her belly through the white paper gown. “The play-offs are causing me stress. Stress isn’t good for the baby. Evans needs to keep his mind on the game. He doesn’t need the distraction of an unhappy home.”
    Marilyn’s cheeks heated. Had everyone lost their minds? When had her home life become an acceptable topic of public discourse? “Lena, I like you—”
    Lena’s expression softened into a smile. “I like you, too, Doc.”
    Marilyn shook her head at the woman’s antics. “I’m not going to discuss my personal life with you.” It was incredible that she was even having this conversation. Where was the hidden camera?
    Lena’s big brown eyes widened. “Why not? Every time I come here, your nurse takes my height and weight, and asks me if I’m sexually active.” She gestured toward her belly with a comical expression. “All I want to know is if you and Evans are getting back together. You don’t have to tell me what he’s like in bed—unless you want to.”
    Marilyn blinked. She must be the last sane person on earth. “I have no intention of discussing my sex life with you. My private life is private. It doesn’t have anything to do with the way my husband performs on the court.”
    Lena stopped rubbing her belly. “Why else did he play like garbage the first game of the Miami Waves series?”
    Marilyn stood. “That was Thursday. The Monarchs won game two Saturday. How do you explain that?”
    She froze. The team had won Saturday night. But when she’d seen Warrick Sunday, she hadn’t even congratulated him. Instead she’d yelled at him for coming home. Marilyn’s heart was heavy. When had things between them become so crazy? And why?
    Lena smiled.