Chapter 13 - Valerie
“Hi, this is Doctor Sherry Sanders from the Medical One clinic, am I speaking with Valerie Brooks?”
“Yes, speaking.”
Her voice is clear and professional. She sounds like an older woman who’s used to dealing with people all day every day.
“Hi Valerie, I understand you had an appointment with Dr. O’Neill last week. We’ve received your test results and I was wondering if you’d be free to discuss them with me?”
“Oh, ok. Am I not seeing Dr. O’Neill?” I feel an unexpected shock in the pit of my stomach at her words. I had been looking forward to seeing him again, if only to redeem myself and not be a horny hot mess in his office.
“No, I’m sorry I thought he would have discussed that with you. He passed your file on to me this morning. I’m the practice’s gynaecologist, so I specialise in this kind of issue. I apologise for the confusion. Would you be available to come in next week?”
“That should be fine.”
I make the appointment and hang up the phone as soon as I can. He passed my file on, he must not have felt what I felt at all. My cheeks start burning in embarrassment. I’ve made a fool of myself in front of him, of course he would pass my file on. He probably doesn’t have time for silly girls coming in wasting his time like this.
I opened up to him and made a fool of myself, and his response was to pass my file on so he wouldn’t have to deal with me. I wish the ground would open up and swallow me whole right now.
Maybe he just passed on my file because she specialises in these issues, and it’s not because I was a blushing blubbering mess in his office.
Yes, that’s it, I tell myself. I have to tell myself something to get over the burning embarrassment I feel from my stomach to my fingertips.
I’d been looking forward to going back in and seeing his face again. I wanted another look at his eyes and another chance to act like myself around him. I’m self-assured and confident, usually.
Usually.
I guess I won’t get that chance now, I’ll be seeing another doctor. It might be for the best. How can I focus on his medical opinion when I’ve thought of him bending me over his examination table and having his way with me? I’m kidding myself, thinking I could walk in there like I haven’t imagined what he looks like without a shirt on. The follow-up appointment would be worse than the first!
I shake my head and look at my computer screen. Every time Doctor O’Neill pops into my head I have a hard time focusing at work. I’m very near the top of the sales board this month, if I just keep up my pace I’m going to be the top sales agent here. I can’t let something like a man get in the way, no matter how irresistibly sexy he may be.
The viewing for the beautiful SoHo loft is scheduled for Saturday morning, so I guess I won’t be going out on Friday. It’s for the best, I guess.
My phone rings again.
“Em, what’s up?”
“Val, you’ve been ignoring me!” Her voice is full of mock anger. Maybe she’s right, maybe I have been avoiding her. Ever since I tried and failed to successfully use my vibrator I’ve been dodging her texts and invitations to hang out.
“I’ve just been busy with work Emma, how have you been?”
“How have I been?! Well first of all I’ve been DYING to hear about your new vibrator!!”
I get up and move away from my desk, afraid my coworkers will hear her through the phone. She’s practically shouting into my ear. I go around the corner and try to talk in a low voice.
“Oh, that, yeah.. It didn’t work.”
“It’s broken? Did you send it back?”
“No, no it’s not broken. It just… didn’t work.”
There’s a silence on the line for a second and I jump in again to avoid bringing up the feelings from the other day.
“What about you? Has that Sex God called you back yet?”
“Not. A. Fucking. Peep. Out of him!!!” she exclaims. “I can’t believe it! This doesn’t happen! We had the most mind blowing sex and then he just tosses me aside. I mean, I wasn’t expecting to get married or anything but I would have loved another roll around with him. It was that good!”
“What a dick,” I respond. I hear the hurt pride in her words. It’s unusual for guys to leave her hanging. She’s used to being worshipped by the men around her.
“An absolute dick!! I’m actually a little annoyed by it. Anyways, when are you free. I want to see you. Want to go for brunch on Saturday?”
“I’m showing a house on Saturday but we could meet up after that? 1ish?”
“You work too much, Val. One o’clock sounds perfect.”
She sounded like that guy not calling her back actually upset her more than she let on. She’s been there for me since I broke up with my ex, maybe it’s time for me to return the favour with a little support. I’ve been too caught up in my own problems this week.
It’ll do me good to see her. It’s been a lonely week and my thoughts have been circling around Doctor O’Neil far, far too much. I probably won’t even see him again so it’s better I just forget about him.
I just hope Emma doesn’t ask for too many details about my adventures with “Girl’s Best Friend.” Knowing her I won’t get away that easy though.