“How could you?” I scream at Ashlynn. “What on God’s green earth made you think it’s alright to use my paddle to bid on, oh my God, on Lincoln Eastwick, of all people?”

Ashlynn stands there looking at me like I’ve lost my mind. I pace back and forth across my living room like a panther preparing for a hunt. “Of all the insane things you’ve done, Ashlynn, this one takes the cake. I have to operate on his nephew in three days. I can’t go out on a date with him.”

I stop and face Ashlynn, waiting for her reply. She raises her hands into the air as a huge sigh leaves her mouth. “How was I supposed to know he was the person offering the package of a lifetime? Really, Lil, all I saw was a day of relaxation that you so dreadfully need.”

Ashlynn crosses to the sofa and sits down. “When was the last time you went to the spa? Hell, when was the last time you did anything for yourself? Answer me that.”

It kills me to admit that she is right. I haven’t done anything for myself in a very long time. I’ve been so focused on work and proving to the world—no, strike that, my father—that I’m the best at what I do that I never take time for myself. When people hear the last name Vicci, the first thing they think of is the crime family. My family. And let's face it, my family isn't known for saving lives. No, they are known for taking them, which is why I didn’t want to practice medicine anywhere in the state of New York. If my dad had had his way, I’d be the family doctor. Not a family doctor, no, the doctor who patches up all his goons when they get shot or stabbed. I want no part of that lifestyle.

“You’re right. I haven’t taken time to do anything for myself in a while, but that doesn’t give you the right to buy me a date with a stranger.”

Ashlynn smiles at me. “A very handsome stranger, with a lot of money and a smoking-hot body. Did you see the way that tux clung to every hard inch of his body? I almost came fantasizing about what he looked like under there.”

“Was that before or after you raised my paddle in the air?” I say, my voice laced with sarcasm.

“During,” Ashlynn replies. “Each time, I envisioned him removing a piece of his clothing. Hell, I wanted to bid against myself there toward the end, so I could get him completely naked in my mind.” A sheepish grin sits on her face as she stares out into space.

“Ashlynn, earth to Ashlynn,” I call out loudly to get her attention. “You’ve got to fix this. I can’t go out with him, and I can’t go to New York, of all places.”

Before she can reply, my cell phone starts to ring, displaying an unknown number. “Dr. Vicci,” I say as I answer the phone.

“Good evening, Doctor Vicci.” the voice on the other end speaks. “I’m sorry to bother you this late in the evening, but my name is David Lawrence. I’m Mr. Eastwick’s assistant.”

I interrupt Mr. Lawrence before he can say anything further. “I’m sorry, Mr. Lawrence, and please pass on my apologies to your boss, but I can’t make the date.”

“Ms. Vicci, I’ve been instructed to inform you that everything has been prearranged. Mr. Eastwick mentioned that you may have second thoughts and that I should instruct you that it is in poor taste to leave someone who donated his time and a great deal of thought to this date hanging.”

The other end of the line goes quiet once Mr. Lawrence finishes saying what he has to say. I think for a moment about what he said, and I can’t believe the audacity of Lincoln Eastwick calling me a coward. Though that isn’t the words used, it was surely implied.

“Excuse me, Mr. Lawrence, are you still there?”

“Yes, Ms. Vicci, I am.”

“Just tell me what you called to tell me.” I don’t care that I sound like a spoiled snob. I just want to get off the phone as soon as possible. Mr. Lawrence proceeds to confirm the details of the date. A car will pick me up at seven thirty and drive me to my eight o’clock spa appointment. The spa has been instructed to notify the driver thirty minutes before my treatments’ ending, and it will be waiting for me at noon. Further instructions will follow once I am done at the spa.

“Thank you, Mr. Lawrence. Please tell your boss thank you and that I look forward to seeing him tomorrow evening.” I don’t wait for confirmation from Mr. Lawrence. I just hang up the phone and shake my head back and forth in defeat.

“Ashlynn, I’ll never forgive you for this one.”

“Oh, Lil, just shut up and enjoy yourself, and for Pete’s sakes, stop calling me Ashlynn. You only do that when you’re acting like my mom. You know you don’t hate me that much to keep calling me by my given name, so get over yourself.”

I reach over and take my friend's hand in mine. “You’re right, Ash. I’m sorry. I’m not angry, just unhappy with you right now. I know you meant well, but you’ve put me in a predicament that I am very uncomfortable with. But I do still love you. Now, go and let me get some sleep. I have a car coming for me very early in the morning.”

I walk my best friend to the door, giving her a hug before she leaves. Once I’m in bed, sleep evades me all night long. Lincoln Eastwick fills every thought I have. Sometimes they are pleasant, and sometimes they are thoughts that make me angry and disgusted with myself. I toss and turn until my alarm rings out.