The Girl of His Dreams

By Janet Nissenson

He was convinced he'd be a bachelor for life. And then he met the girl of his dreams.

Jordan Reeves has fully embraced the carefree, uncomplicated bachelor life, figuring that the poor example he'd been provided by his parents of so-called marital bliss was reason enough to remain single. He's more than content to date one woman after another and never even consider settling down, especially since the only female who's ever seriously caught his attention belongs to another man.

But during a vacation in Hawaii, Jordan unexpectedly meets a woman who could very easily change his mind about the joys of bachelorhood. Aubrey Larson is young, gorgeous, fun-loving, and has a wicked sense of humor to match his own. She's also a dead ringer for the woman Jordan's had an admitted crush on for the past few years, enough to be mistaken for her twin.
Aubrey recognizes the handsome Doctor Reeves as a player of epic proportions the first time they meet, but even her usual disdain for that type of male can't diminish the overwhelming attraction she feels for him. But as their relationship deepens, Aubrey has no idea that becoming involved with Jordan will lead to a startling discovery about her own past, and cause her to question his true feelings for her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: May 21, 2018
• ISBN: 9781543929355

Book preview

Epilogue

Chapter One

March – San Francisco

Good morning, Doctor Reeves.

Hey, Jordan.  How’s it going?

Hi, there, good looking.  How many hearts are you going to break today?

Jordan Reeves acknowledged the various greetings he received as he ambled leisurely down the hallway of the maternity ward, calling out a return Good morning to an idealistic young female intern, high-fiving one of his fellow doctors, and grinning at the fifty-something head nurse who had a soft spot for him, despite her declarations that his frequent attempts to flirt with her fell on deaf ears.

He’d been affiliated with the University Medical Center here in San Francisco since the early days of his residency, nearly fifteen years ago, and he was here most days of the week delivering babies, performing surgeries, and doing morning rounds as he was right now.  Today was a light one, with just two patients to visit - a first-time mother who was being discharged this morning, excited to head home with her husband and brand new daughter; and the patient who’d given birth to her second child - a son this time - early last evening.  It was at the doorway to the latter room that Jordan hovered at uncertainly now, knowing that he had to go inside and check on his patient, but half-tempted to plead with one of his associates to do it for him.

It wasn’t that the patient was a difficult one.  Far from it, he thought wryly.  In fact, she was likely the easiest, least demanding, and sweetest tempered patient he’d ever worked with, and she had practically breezed through the delivery last evening.  No, his hesitation in visiting Tessa Gregson this morning was because he was finding it increasingly difficult to keep his longtime hidden attraction for the beautiful blonde - well, hidden.

But realistically there was no possible way he’d be able to pass this bedside visit on to another doctor.  Not when he’d been Tessa’s OB/GYN for more than five years now, had delivered her first child - a daughter who was nearly two years old - and socialized with her and her husband on a regular basis.  Both husband and wife would find it baffling were he not to make an appearance this morning, so it seemed that he was just going to have to suck it up.

‘Man up, dickwad,’ he muttered beneath his breath, his hand hovering on the handle of the door.  ‘She’s just your patient, that’s all, no different from the hundreds of other women whose babies you’ve delivered.  So paste a smile on your face, whistle a happy tune, and see how Mommy is doing this fine morning.’

Tessa was staying in one of the deluxe family suites the hospital offered to its maternity patients - a spacious set of rooms that included two bedrooms and bathrooms, a separate living area, and a kitchenette.  The cost to stay in one of the suites was far from cheap, but given that Tessa’s husband Ian was one of the wealthiest men in San Francisco, money would have been no object for him - especially when it came to his beloved wife and children.  Jordan knew that both Ian and the Gregsons’ little girl Gilly had stayed over last night with Tessa, and the knowledge that the whole happy family would be gathered around his patient’s bedside only made the task at hand more difficult.

Jordan fixed a wide smile on his face, and even managed to conjure up a whistle as he sauntered unhurriedly inside Tessa’s suite.  But his good intentions were very nearly shot to hell the moment he glimpsed the tender scene in front of him, a scene so perfect and so tender that it almost didn’t seem real.

Tessa was seated on the sofa in the suite’s living area, dressed in a pretty floral nightgown and robe set, clearly having eschewed a bland cotton hospital gown for her own far more feminine garments.  Her abundant blonde hair had been pulled back into a sleek ponytail, her makeup free complexion glowing with health.  On her lap she cuddled her nearly two-year-old daughter Gilly, whose blonde curls and blue eyes were mirror images of Tessa’s.  Ian sat next to his wife on the sofa, his tall, broad-shouldered frame taking up a good amount of space as he held their newborn son Liam with an almost casual expertise.

The four of them looked like a beautifully painted portrait, one so exquisitely detailed that it almost hurt the eyes to gaze at its brilliance.  Husband and wife exchanged a look that was so loving, so deeply personal, that Jordan felt like the worst sort of intruder - almost as though he’d stumbled upon them naked in bed.  And considering how protective and possessive Ian was of his wife, it was a very, very good thing that everyone in the room was fully clothed. 

Good morning, he greeted cheerily as he paused in the archway that separated the patient’s bedroom from the living area.  I was just about to ask how Mommy was doing this morning, but from the looks of things I already have my answer.  Tessa, I still swear that this hospital should sign you up to do publicity for them.  If every prospective mother could see how glowing you look less than twenty four hours after giving birth, they’d all insist on delivering their babies here.  In fact, the whole happy family could be in the picture.  Just stay exactly like you are for a few minutes while I get someone from our PR department up here.

Tessa laughed softly in response to his teasing remark, while Ian merely glowered at him in annoyance.  Jordan approached the couple, extending his hand to Ian for a friendly shake, then briefly admired the new baby.

He’s got good color, observed Jordan, brushing his knuckles over Liam’s cheek.  Looks healthy as a horse. Did he let the two of you get any sleep last night?

A couple of hours at a time, acknowledged Tessa.  About what we expected.  He’s already a good eater, though.

Jordan nodded, pushing the alluring mental picture of Tessa nursing her son from his all too vivid imagination.  He’s almost two pounds heavier than this little lady was when she was born, if I recall correctly, he teased, ruffling one of Gilly’s frothy blonde curls.  I’d be willing to bet your boy will be sleeping through the night sooner than later.  Now, aside from a somewhat sleepless night, how is Mommy feeling this morning?

Tessa beamed, cuddling her daughter close against her breast.  Tired but wonderful, she replied easily.  I was able to nap in between feedings.  And of course Ian’s the best at lending a hand - bringing Liam to me, changing diapers, rocking him to sleep.  He’s probably more tired than I am this morning.

Jordan resisted the urge to roll his eyes as he glanced sideways at Ian.  The almost intimidatingly masculine Brit looked anything but tired this morning - clean-shaven, his thick, dark hair neatly brushed, and looking as suave and sophisticated as always, even in a casual pair of dark gray chinos and a black cashmere pullover.  And even if Ian was ready to drop from exhaustion, he was too macho to ever admit it.

You both look pretty good for two people who just delivered a baby less than eighteen hours ago, pointed out Jordan.  Which is exactly why you’d make a perfect advertisement for this hospital.  Hell, forget about the hospital.  You can be the poster family for my practice.

No.  Ian’s retort was anything but amused, and he sounded more than a little irritated, and perhaps even a bit sleep-deprived.  Neither this hospital nor your practice needs any advertising help.  Every time I’ve been in your office with Tessa there’s barely an empty seat in the waiting room.

Jordan shrugged.  I have three partners in the practice with me, as you’ll recall, so not every patient is there to see me.  But there’s no denying business is good, so I’ll give up on the idea for now about convincing you all to model for me.  Especially since I’m due into said office within an hour, and need to check on my patient here.  Tessa?  Let’s have you get back into bed for a few minutes, shall we?

Of course.  Tessa lifted her daughter from her lap and settled the little girl on the sofa.  Stay here with Daddy and Liam for a few minutes, all right?  Doctor Jordan needs to look Mummy over and make sure she’s okay.

Ian had half-risen from the sofa, intent on escorting his wife back to bed, but Jordan beat him to the punch, offering Tessa a hand up.

You should really be resting in bed as much as possible, he scolded gently as he helped her lay down.  Especially if you’re intent on going home tomorrow morning.

Tessa shrugged.  I was getting bored just lying in bed.  Besides, it’s not as though Ian’s going to let me overdo, is it?

Jordan chuckled as he began to give his patient a brief exam, making sure that everything was as it should be after last evening’s delivery.  That’s for sure, he agreed, giving Tessa a conspiratorial wink.  Has he given up on the idea of hiring a nanny yet?

Shh, warned Tessa, putting a finger to her lips and trying unsuccessfully to stifle a giggle.  Don’t remind him.

"He can hear every word the two of you are saying, warned Ian ominously.  And to answer your question, Jordan, my wife is still refusing to even consider the possibility of hiring a nanny or au pair to help out.  Would you please tell her that taking care of a toddler and an infant is a great deal of work, and that she should stop being so stubborn about accepting help?"

Jordan shook his raven head as he continued to gently probe Tessa’s belly.  No way are the two of you getting me involved in this discussion, he declared.  And no way am I taking sides.  That is definitely a decision that only the two of you can make.  Now, anything out of the ordinary with you today, Tessa?  Aside from the usual soreness and fatigue most women experience after pushing an eight and a half pound human into the world, that is?

Tessa shook her head.  Everything’s fine.  It seemed like an even easier delivery than with Gilly.  Faster, too.

That’s for sure, agreed Jordan.  Another twenty minutes and I might not have made it to the delivery room in time.

We noticed your tardiness, replied Ian dryly.  The nurses were speculating what her name was, and whether this one was a blonde, brunette, or redhead.

I see my delivery room nurses have a little too much time on their hands, groused Jordan as he went on with the examination.  And for your information, I wasn’t on a date for once, hard as that might be for you to believe.  I was playing in a charity basketball game when the call came in about Tessa.  And playing rather well, I might add.  My team was a little peeved when I had to bail on them.

I’m sorry, Tessa told him sweetly, giving his forearm a little squeeze.  You didn’t have to interrupt your game because of me.  One of the doctors on duty could have taken over.

Don’t be silly, Jordan assured her gently, patting her hand and trying very hard not to lose himself in the depths of her big blue eyes.  "You’re one of my very favorite patients, after all.  And I wouldn’t have missed delivering your son for anything.  Even if there’d been a blonde, a brunette, and a redhead waiting for me."

Tessa laughed merrily.  Well, now I am flattered.  Bailing on a charity sporting event is one thing, but passing up a hot date is something special.  Thank you, Doctor Reeves.

Of course.

It was on the tip of his tongue to add something along the lines of anything for you, Tessa.  Anything at all.  But he thought that saying such a thing might make her uncomfortable, to say the least.  And with Ian hovering so closely in the background, listening and watching intently, there was no possible way Jordan would have dared to say something so intimate.  Especially when the man likely knew very well that Jordan was - well, infatuated for lack of a better word - with his wife.

It occurred to Jordan, and not for the first time, how Ian always seemed to be in the room whenever Tessa had an appointment with him - whether it was for prenatal care or regular gynecological exams - and he resisted the urge to smirk at the thought.  Evidently the uber possessive Mr. Gregson didn’t trust another male around his wife, even for something as clinical as a pap smear.  Not, of course, that Jordan was ever alone in an exam room with any of his patients.  If the patient’s husband or partner wasn’t present, then he always made certain a nurse was on hand to assist.  It was a strict policy among all of the physicians in his practice, and one adhered to by just about every other OB/GYN he knew.  The risk of being accused of inappropriate behavior was simply too high nowadays, plus the presence of a nurse or significant other seemed to put the patient at ease.

He finished up his exam and helped Tessa to a sitting position in the bed.  Everything’s looking great, he told her, giving her shoulder a squeeze.  The nurse will be in shortly to see if you need anything, though it looks like you have your own personal attendant standing by.

Jordan indicated his head towards Ian, who had placed the baby in his portable bassinet and now stood by Tessa’s bedside.  Gilly was playing happily with several of her toys and dolls in the living area.

Tessa beamed at her husband, placing her hand in his as he dropped a kiss on the top of her head.  He does spoil me something awful, doesn’t he? she teased.  I think more than half of these flowers and things are from Ian.

The suite of rooms was practically overflowing with floral arrangements, balloons, stuffed toys, and other gifts for the new baby and his parents.  And Jordan guessed that while family and friends had sent at least some of the gifts, Ian had indeed been responsible for a good many of them.

You deserve to be spoiled, Ian told his wife tenderly.  You did all the work, after all, in bringing our son into the world.  Though I suppose Jordan helped a bit.

Not much, replied Jordan easily.  Tessa’s a pro at this baby stuff, after all.  One of the easiest deliveries I’ve ever witnessed.  Now, if there’s nothing else you need, I’d better head out so my receptionist doesn’t scold me for being late into the office for the third time this week.  Congratulations again, Mommy and Daddy, and I’ll see you tomorrow morning to sign your discharge papers.  Don’t overdo, Tessa, okay?

She nodded, still clutching her husband’s hand and gazing at him adoringly.  I won’t.  Not much chance of that happening anyway, is there?

Jordan laughed softly, forcing himself to smile despite the little pang in his heart as he observed the look of pure love that passed between the married couple.  He kept the smile pasted on his face until he was back out in the hallway and heading towards the elevator that would take him down to the garage.

It was only after the elevator doors closed that he exhaled sharply, and the smile faded rapidly from his features.  Witnessing the scene of marital bliss between the woman he’d been oddly infatuated with for some time now and her husband had been far more difficult than Jordan had feared.

‘This has to stop, you idiot,’ he chastised himself firmly.  ‘Come on, Jordan, what the hell’s the matter with you, anyway?  You know damned well that you can get most any woman you want any day of the week, so why do you continue to have this unhealthy obsession with someone else’s wife?  And as gorgeous as Tessa is, she’s far from the only beautiful woman in this world.  Christ, she isn’t even your type!’

Not, of course, that Jordan had a particular type.  Since he’d first discovered the opposite sex at the ripe old age of thirteen, he hadn’t been all that fussy about his female companions.  Mostly, as long as the woman was attractive, eager, and willing, his brief list of requirements was complete.  If she happened to be intelligent, entertaining, and great in the sack that was a bonus.  And of course she couldn’t be the least bit clingy or demanding or expect any sort of commitment from him.  That had never been Jordan’s MO and he couldn’t foresee that attitude changing anytime in the near or distant future.

For a woman like Tessa Gregson, though - well, he might have been sorely tempted to make an exception to his steadfast bachelor ways.  She was the sort of woman a man could get serious about, do something crazy like actually think about getting married and starting a family, things that Jordan had never envisioned happening to him.  But Tessa was special, not just drop dead gorgeous but also kindhearted, sweet-tempered, and devoted to her family and friends.  She was on the shy side, reserved, and classy, the perfect match for her equally reserved and somewhat stuffy husband.  She was so different from the type of women he’d always been attracted to in the past - bold, fearless, flirty - that it still puzzled him as to why he was so enthralled by her.  She still blushed on occasion when he flirted with her teasingly, though being married to Ian for several years now had helped quite a lot to bring her out of her shell.

And he’d never once fooled around with a married woman, had never even been tempted to do so, proclaiming that they were way too much trouble, and that there were plenty of single, available women to choose from to willingly want those sorts of complications.  And even though Tessa hadn’t been married to Ian the first time Jordan had met her, or even officially engaged, there had been little doubt in his mind that the two of them were crazy about each other, and that Ian would always be the only man for her. 

But knowing that fact and accepting it were two very different things, and Jordan had never been quite able to extinguish the faint flame of hope that he might one day have a chance with Tessa.  Even the birth of her first child hadn’t been quite enough to shake him out of his fanciful daydreams, or put an end to the absurd crush he had on her.

Now, though, having seen the whole family unit together - husband, wife, daughter, newborn son - seen how happy and devoted they were to each other, and how very much in love Tessa continued to be with her husband, Jordan was finally ready to accept that the situation for him was completely hopeless.  It was finally time for him to get over this ridiculous infatuation with a woman who could never be his, and who was probably all wrong for him anyway.  Problem was, he wasn’t exactly sure how or where to begin that process.

Fortunately, he knew just who to ask for that sort of advice.  Pulling out his phone, he sent a group text to his two closest friends - and fellow confirmed bachelors.

Can you meet for lunch today?  Need to get away somewhere to lick my wounds for a week or two and I know both of you will have some ideas for me.

Within seconds his phone pinged with a reply from Finn.

One o’clock at The Barrel Room sound okay?

And before Jordan could tap out a reply, Max had texted back, Count me in.  See you then, mates.

Jordan replied with a thumbs up icon before pocketing his phone.  And even though he knew his unrequited attraction to Tessa had to end, the somber realization was more than a little bittersweet. 

Chapter Two

So where are you thinking of going, Jordan?  Someplace tropical like the Caribbean or Tahiti?  Or a big city like New York or London?  Or maybe the best of both worlds - say, Monte Carlo or Saint-Tropez?

Jordan shook his head at Finn’s suggestions.  Europe’s too far to travel right now.  Same with Tahiti.  I can only squeeze two weeks from my schedule so I don’t want to spend two whole days of that time traveling.  I was thinking more along the lines of Mexico or Hawaii, or maybe Florida.

Max nodded, taking a carefully measured sip of the Pinot Grigio he’d ordered to accompany his grilled halibut.  That makes sense, especially since it sounds as though you’d prefer to get away sooner than later.

If I can work it out, I’ll leave week after next.  Just need to move a few appointments around.  Fortunately, no little ones are due to make their arrivals for the next month so this is actually a perfect time to get away.

Hmm.  Finn swallowed a bite of his Kobe beef burger, then shoved three French fries into his mouth at once.  Of the three men gathered around the lunch table, he generally had the unhealthiest eating habits, a real irony considering that he was a retired professional athlete.  But whenever someone pointed this out to him, Finn merely gave a wicked grin and said that his eating habits has actually improved since retiring from football.

Finn washed his food down with a healthy swig of the whiskey sour he’d ordered - the second one so far today.  But then he was the only one of the three who didn’t have an office to return to that afternoon, so he was free to imbibe to his heart’s content. 

I’d probably stick with Hawaii if it was my choice, drawled Finn.  Especially since you’ll be away during Spring Break.  The high school and college crowd tends to flock to Mexico and Florida then.  And while watching a bunch of co-eds cavorting around in bikinis isn’t exactly a hardship, we’re all getting a little too old to be fooling around with twenty-one year olds.

Max grimaced.  "Twenty-one?  Make that more like thirty-one for me, mate.  Don’t forget I’m a year older than the pair of you, and my fortieth birthday will be here in a matter of months."

Jordan shuddered.  "You just had to remind us all about that, didn’t you?  But Finn is right.  My days of dating college girls are unfortunately long over.  In fact, dating in general is starting to become more of a chore than a pleasure nowadays."

Finn and Max both gaped at him in mingled dismay and disbelief, unable to comprehend how a serial dater like Jordan could have really uttered such a statement.

Dude, you seriously need some R and R if you’re starting to spout that sort of blasphemy, scolded Finn.  "But now that you mention it, you have been off your game these last few months.  What’s the matter, Jordan?  Got a bad case of ED?"

Jordan scowled at his friend and former fraternity brother at Stanford.  Fuck off, manwhore.  And to answer your idiotic question - no.  I do not and have not had any trouble getting it up. Ever.

Max chuckled, something he didn’t do very often these days.  Could that be because you’re writing yourself prescriptions for those little blue pills men of a certain age need to take?

Jordan none too discreetly flipped Max off.  And here I thought Finn was the comedian of our little trio.

Finn shrugged, finishing off his drink and motioning to the waitress for a refill.  Well, you gotta admit that this certainly isn’t normal behavior for you, Doctor Dreamy. Max and I have known you for - what - twenty years now, something like that - and I can’t honestly remember a time when you weren’t ready, willing, and eager for a piece of ass.

First of all, retorted Jordan arrogantly, the correct nickname is Doctor Dreamboat.  Though with the nurses on the maternity ward getting younger every year, hardly any of them call me that anymore.  As for the other - it’s not that I’m not ready or eager, but there are times when I want more than a piece of ass.  I want - ah, hell, I don’t know what I want, if I’m being honest.

Max, with his composed - though some called it cold - nature, regarded Jordan thoughtfully.  If I’m hearing you correctly - and I believe I am - what you’re saying is that you’ve grown tired of the game.  And that instead of a different woman every week, you might actually be considering settling down.

Whoa!  Jordan held up a hand in protest.  "Let’s not go that far, shall we?  I was thinking of maybe seeing a woman for more than a week or two at a time, not shopping for engagement rings."

Finn snorted in derision.  What’s happened to the old footloose and fancy free Jordan Reeves we’ve known since college?  And how can you forget our famous pinky swear to remain bachelors until our dying day?  I swear I think you’ve been body snatched or something, dude.  Replaced with a pod person like in that movie.  Quick - tell me something only the real Jordan Reeves would know about me.

Jordan smirked.  Your dick is only four inches long.  And you have nasty looking warts on your ass.  That real enough for you, manwhore?

Max grinned, something else he rarely did nowadays.  "Well, one thing’s for sure.  Being with you two is always good entertainment, especially when you start trading insults.  Seriously, though, I do understand where you’re coming from, Jordan.  And while I have no intention of ever giving up my bachelor ways, I’m finding more and more that I just don’t have the - the motivation for lack of a better word – to troll singles bars or clubs every night looking for a new conquest."

But then, you never really did, old chum, pointed out Finn.  Of the three of us, you’ve always been the reserved one, the one content to sit back and let the women come to you.  And you’ve always been too goddamned picky, Max.  This one’s too young.  Or she’s too pushy.  You don’t like women who wear too much makeup.  Her laugh annoys you.  Christ, you’re going to wind up a cranky old man before much longer.

Max raised his wine glass in a mock toast.  Already there, mate.  But this conversation is about Jordan, not me.  And I think I know why he’s in a mood.  Didn’t you deliver a baby last night, Doctor Reeves?

Jordan’s spine stiffened at the silent implication behind his friend’s words.  News flash, Maxwell.  I deliver babies several times a week and have for the last fifteen years.  What does last night have to do with the mood I’m in?

Max replaced his glass after taking a sip.  Wasn’t it the very charming Mrs. Gregson’s baby you delivered?  You know, the same Mrs. Gregson you’ve had something of a crush on for the last few years?

"I do not have a crush on her, for God’s sake, muttered Jordan sullenly.  Thinking a woman is hot, and cursing the fates that I didn’t meet her first do not necessarily equal a crush.  And how the hell did you know it was the Gregson baby I delivered last night?"

Max shrugged.  "I saw Ian at the gym a few days ago.  He was cutting his workout short so he could rush home to tend to the missus.  He might have mentioned that she was due within a week, so I just put two and two together.  You do realize those two are mad about each other, don’t you?  And that even a ladies man like yourself has no chance in wooing the beautiful Mrs. Gregson away from her very possessive husband?"

Jordan heaved a tired sigh.  Of course I do, he admitted somberly.  I always have, from the very first time I saw the two of them together.  That doesn’t mean a man can’t daydream, does it?  Or compare every woman he’s met since to Tessa and found her lacking?  She isn’t even my type, you know?

The expression on Finn’s handsome face was about as close to a leer as Jordan could imagine.  "A babe like that is everyone’s type, my friend, he corrected.  And just because she’s married doesn’t mean you can’t admire the goods, or envy that bastard she’s married to for seeing her first.  But you do need to give up any and all hope that you’ll ever have a chance with her, Jordan.  You’ve said over and over again that you don’t mess with married woman.  And Tessa Gregson is more married than most."

Yeah, don’t I know it, replied Jordan wearily.  I had to stop by her room during morning rounds, and happened upon the whole big happy family all cuddled up - Mom, Dad, and now two kids.  It wasn’t the ideal way to start my day, believe me.

Max frowned.  Why in hell do you keep putting yourself through those sorts of ordeals anyway? he demanded.  Maybe if you’d referred your patient to another doctor from the very beginning you would have gotten over this ridiculous obsession with her a long time ago.

It’s not that easy, Max.  First of all, Ian asked me to be her OB/GYN even before I’d met her for the first time.  And you know him well enough to realize he’s not someone you say no to very often.  Once I took her on as a patient it just became increasingly awkward to pass her along to someone else, especially since I see her and Ian so often at social events.

Finn rolled his eyes.  Oh, right.  The ballet and opera and symphony.  I still don’t get why you like all that cultural stuff.  Even as uptight as Max is he isn’t much of a fan.

Jordan gave a careless shrug.  "My parents were into all that stuff, Dad always insisted it was good for business, and they sort of forced it on me while I was growing up.  I don’t mind it all that much.  Plus, I have made a lot of business contacts attending those sort of events.  Not to mention making a good impression on my dates by bringing them someplace classy.  Unlike you, manwhore, whose idea of showing a lady a good time involves taking her to a whiskey bar and then directly to bed."

Finn grinned.  Sometimes I buy her dinner first.  Especially if I can tell she’s gonna be a wild one and I’ll need the calories to keep my energy up.  And speaking of keeping things up.  If you’re admitting that you have a problem so far as the hot mama is concerned, then the one surefire way of getting her out of your system is to fuck it out.  Hell, take a different woman to bed every night of the week for a solid month if that’s what it takes.  I’m happy to share my virtual little black book with you, dude.

I’ve got my own version of that book, you know, retorted Jordan scathingly.  I don’t need your sloppy seconds.  Or a pimp.  And I already told you that I’m getting tired of being a serial dater.  Maybe Max is right and we’re just getting too damned old for this.

Max nodded.  I’ve been too old for this for the last five years.  And have basically resigned myself to remaining married to my job.  Though if I ever start talking about getting a cat, that means I’ve officially gone over the edge and the two of you have my permission to commit me to the nearest loony bin.

I think you’re both loony, commented Finn as he shoved the last bite of burger into his mouth.  Not to mention depressing as hell.  Max becoming a semi-eunuch doesn’t surprise me all that much, but Jordan - nah, I’m not buying it.  You’re just going through a bad patch right now, dude.  Nothing a little R and R won’t cure.  Maybe you should go to Mexico or Florida after all.  You’ve kept yourself in shape, so you probably have a shot at making it with a twenty-two year old.  Especially if she knows you have money.

Hah, hah.  You know, if your broadcasting career ever goes to shit you could always try your hand at stand-up comedy, Jordan replied sarcastically.  But I’m going to go with your first idea, actually, and head to Hawaii for a couple of weeks.  You’re right that I need to get my head - and my dick - back in the game.

Finn thumped him on the back enthusiastically.  Now that’s the Jordan Reeves I know!  Head over to the islands for some fun in the sun, screw a different babe every night of your stay, and come back with a new attitude.  Hell, if I didn’t have to start prepping for the NFL draft next month I’d come with you to Hawaii.  Just like old times, you know?  You and me picking up hot babes right and left while old Max sits back and analyzes the situation.  I wonder sometimes if he keeps a list in his pocket of interview questions to ask his potential dates.

This time Max was the one to extend his middle finger, though he was far more discreet about the gesture than Jordan had been earlier.  He had always been a rather odd addition to their trio, given his quiet, reserved manner, and the fact that he was far more fastidious in his choice of women than either Finn or Jordan.  More often than not Max had been the designated driver, or the one to keep his two hell-raising friends from raising too much hell.  And there had even been one time when he’d had to bail Finn out of jail - something he took far too much pleasure in reminding Finn about on a regular basis.

Jordan doesn’t need you along on this trip, remarked Max drily.  He can get into plenty of trouble all by himself.

Why don’t you go along with him, Max? Finn taunted.  God knows you could use a vacation.  I’d say something along the lines of all work and no play makes Maxie a dull assed bore but I think we all know that already.

That’s not a bad idea actually, admitted Jordan.  "You should totally come along for the trip, Max.  Finn’s not often right about things, but in this case he is.  I can’t remember the last time you took a real vacation.  And, hey, there’s bound to be plenty of women on Maui for both of us, especially since you’d be likely to stick with the same one for the entire two weeks.  Boring."

Max shook his dark head.  Thank you for your not so charming invitation, Jordan, but I’m flying out myself on Monday for a job.  I’ll be gone for two or three weeks.

Max was a self-employed consultant, whose primary function was to help out struggling corporations by assessing and analyzing their operations, and then presenting recommendations on how to fix their problems.  He had a well earned reputation for having the Midas touch, and for helping to turn companies around in a startlingly short amount of time, and as such was in great demand.

Just don’t go to Seattle again, okay? chimed in Finn.  "Last time you went