“It’s not like I planned it or anything. It’s just that one year became two and then two became three…And here we are.”

“Well, I’m glad Nick made you come see me. We’ll fix you right up. You might be glad to know that since you began boycotting me and my kind, they’ve made some great strides in treating endometriosis-related infertility. Women who were told exactly what you were are now having healthy babies after some minor laser surgery.”

Sam refused to allow her hopes to rise for even one second. “I think that ship has sailed for me. I’m happy with my life the way it is.”

“What’re you doing for birth control?” She looked at him, wondering if he’d heard her say she was infertile. “Nothing. There’s no need.”

“As long as you still have all your parts, there’s always a chance of conception.”

Sam pondered that, feeling a surge of hope for the first time in years. But then reality returned, and she pushed the idea from her mind. “It’s not something I worry about. I’ve resigned myself to remaining childless.”

“You don’t have to decide anything today about the surgery. It’s just something to consider.” He stood up and encouraged her to lie back on the table. “Since you’ve been so neglectful of your health,” he said with a teasing scowl, “I’m going to treat you to the full deal.”

“That’s what I was afraid of,” she said, swallowing hard. “You’re not that kind of doctor, so you don’t need to worry about the ‘down there’ stuff.”

He replied with a charming smile as he very unobtrusively gave her a breast exam. “I’m a general internist, so I can worry about all your stuff.”

“Fabulous.”

“Do you want a nurse in the room for the pelvic exam?”

She swallowed hard, again. “No, that’s okay. I guess if you’re Nick’s friend, I can trust you.” Grimacing her way through a thorough check of her abdomen, she added, “Isn’t it weird to be poking and prodding your friend’s girlfriend?”

“Nah. It’s just like a mechanic looking at a car engine—you’ve seen one, you’ve seen’em all.” Sam’s mouth fell open. “Surely some are better than others.”

“Oh, yeah, definitely. Now be quiet so I can listen to your heart.”

He kept up a steady stream of chatter as he poked and prodded everything. She learned that Nick was a menace on the racquetball court, that he still played hockey whenever he could and that he was a regular chick magnet in the bars. She’d have to discuss that with him after she punished him for making her go through this exam in the first place.