Searching for Perfect (Searching For #2)(62)
Author: Jennifer Probst

Gen was perched in the white rocker, staring out the window.

“Uh, Gen?”

She popped up. Surprise skittered over her face, quickly followed by a complete shutdown of emotion. Ken stared at her friend, her gut screaming at high pitch that something was very, very wrong. “Oh, my God. I’m sorry, Ken. I didn’t hear you!” Her laugh was forced, and she twisted her engagement ring round and around her finger. Ken noticed the spot was rubbed raw around the band and up to her knuckle. She was dressed impeccably, her vanilla cream blouse and long cream skirt giving her an air of mystical innocence. Her dark hair was caught up in a fancy twist, and diamond studs glittered in her ears. Her eyes, so like Alexa’s, were piercing blue. She emanated a nervous, jumpy energy that bordered more on fear than excitement.

“It’s okay, sweetie. What are you doing up here?”

She glanced out the window with a half smile. “I just needed a minute alone. I’m meeting a ton of David’s friends and associates, which is hard now that I’m being introduced on an equal level. David’s been my boss for two years, so it’s just a bit strange. I don’t want to disappoint him.”

Kennedy walked over and grabbed her hands. “Sit with me for a minute. I want to talk to you.” They both sat on the padded bench next to three pink frilly pillows. “Why would you think such a thing? David loves you, and you couldn’t be a disappointment to anyone. What’s really wrong? We’re worried about you, sweetheart.”

Gen gripped back with a surgeon’s strength. She spoke carefully. “There are a lot of people who expect things from me. I don’t want to let anyone down.” She lifted her head and gazed at her directly. “I don’t want to fail.”

Ken’s heart broke. Another successful, gorgeous woman afraid of dropping the ball. Life was just overwhelming sometimes. Was David really right for her, after all? Shouldn’t her friend be over the moon in love and happy to be planning a wedding? Or was it just societal pressure to have everything perfect?

“There’s nothing to fail at,” she said. “Alexa, and I, and Kate will help you plan every last detail. You’re our family. You need to take a step back and see what you’re doing to yourself. Too much pressure won’t make you happy, or David, or your patients, honey.”

Gen nodded. “I know you’re right.”

“Have you talked to David? Maybe you can figure something out to slow things down?”

Gen’s grip tightened. Her hands suddenly went clammy. “No! No, he’s under a lot of strain at work since they doubled his responsibilities. He’s traveling back and forth to Manhattan, and he’s doing the best he can. It will be fine.”

Kennedy studied her friend and took the plunge. “Are you happy with David?”

She jerked back. “What do you mean? I’m marrying him!”

“That wasn’t the question, was it? I didn’t even ask if you loved him. I asked if he made you happy.”

Those blue eyes widened. Seconds ticked. Ken felt on the verge of something hugely important, and she was afraid to breathe and break the moment. Her friend dragged in a breath. Opened her mouth. And—

“Hey, is this where the party is?”

The delicate moment shattered and was abruptly lost.

Wolfe stood framed in the doorway, his head almost touching the top. Gen’s face lit up and she raced over to give him a big hug. “’Bout time you got your ass here,” she sassed. And just like that, the old Gen was back.

Wolfe laughed and flicked her earlobe. “Nice rocks. Is that what med students get paid in now?”

“Yeah, right. David gave them to me.”

“Niiiice,” he drawled. “Hey, Ken, I haven’t seen you in a while. Things good? Making millions matching up poor schmucks looking for love?”

Ken rolled her eyes. “When are you going to break down and become my client? Really, Wolfe, I would’ve never picked the last woman I saw you with. Still together?”

“Nah, she only wanted my body. I wanted respect.”

Gen snorted. “She was awful. She couldn’t even throw a dart.”

“Speaking of darts, you owe me another opportunity to get even. You keep canceling on me. I can’t drink and aim sharp weapons alone.”

“Sorry, Wolfe, I promise we’ll do it next week. Wednesday night good? My shift gets out early.”

A chilly voice cut through the room. “I don’t think that will work, Genevieve. We have the nurses meeting and the charity fund-raiser.”

Silence fell. Gen jumped up and ran to David’s side, as if he normally had her on a short leash and the daily walk was over. Wolfe’s jaw clenched along with his fists, but he forced a smile at Gen’s fiancée. “Good to see you, David. Congrats.”

David was a powerful presence in a completely different manner than Wolfe was. His suit was tailored in a neutral gray and obviously custom cut. White shirt. Demure tie. Thick blond hair was tamed and smoothed back from his face. Not a speckle of stubble, and his face held the lines and grace of an aristocrat. Kennedy watched in fascination as their opposing male energies swirled and combated with each other on two separate planets. Damn. They did not like each other.

She rose to her feet and walked over. “Hi, David, we met before. Gen’s friend, Kennedy. Congratulations.”

His smile was impeccable. White teeth flashed. “Thank you, Kennedy, it’s a pleasure to have you.” The cool bite of his voice softened as he stared at Gen. “Darling, I’m sorry for interrupting. There are a few people downstairs I really need you to meet—they’re on the board. You’ll forgive me, right, Wolfe?”

“Sure.”

David slipped his arm under Gen’s elbow. “I promise you’ll have time to hang with your friends in a bit.”

“Of course, no worries. I’ll see you both later,” Gen said, stiffly following him out.

Ken caught Wolfe’s expression. Pissed off described it well. Boy, something was going on here. They obviously hated each other, but was it because they were both competing for Gen’s attention? Or did the whole subtle put-down verbal challenge mean more?

She decided to talk to Wolfe about it while they were alone, but a toilet flushed, a door opened, and someone trudged toward them. Oh, well, she needed to get in conference with Kate anyway. Where was her champagne glass? She turned and scooped it up.

“Oh, there you are. Hey, Ken, this is my friend, Nate.”