So last year a group of authors got together and penned the LAST MAN STANDING SERIES, of which my guy was CHANCE. This year we’re taking on the ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID gals.
My addition is SABLE, Chance’s little sister.
Pediatrician Sable Miller is sick and tired of being the go-to, dependable bridesmaid in all her family and friends’ weddings. But her demanding job, the ridiculous hours, and endless family commitments keep her from finding the perfect man. A matchmaking service? Sounds like too much work. Swipe right dating? Not her thing. The bar scene? When was the last time she even had an evening free to go to a bar?
And forget about dating the myriad of on-the-make doctors and residents in her hospital. Besides, workplace romances never work out.
Sable’s options to meet the man of her dreams and start a family are dwindling and time is running out, because she promised herself the next wedding she would attend would be her own.
Kristopher Lee, the Physician’s Assistant assigned to Sable has a crush on his new mentor. But she’s got a hands-off rule when it comes to dating someone she works with. Kris is nothing if not persistent, though. After all, he didn’t survive three tours in the Army without focusing on a goal. And making Sable Miller fall in love with him is his best goal yet.
“I tried to introduce her to a guy from my office last month,” Sable’s cousin Moira said. “Single and a stockbroker. I invited him to dinner, Sable too. She called me at the last minute and canceled, saying she had to cover at the hospital. I swear all she does is work.”
“This is the sixth family wedding in a row where she’s been a bridesmaid,” Aunt Mary declared. “Goodness knows how many times she’s stood up for her friends.”
“Does she even have friends?” Teresa asked. “If all she ever does is work, how can she?”
That hurt.
Sable had a score of college and medical school friends she got together with whenever she could. And yes, she’d been an attendant at all their weddings. So what?
Come to think of it, they were all married now, too. She was the lone single on not only the family front, but in the friendship ring as well.
A sudden burst of sadness overtook her.
“That old saw always a bridesmaid never a bride fits our girl to a tee,” Aunt Mary said. She blew out a breath. “I’m worried for her. You know if her mother were still alive she’d be trying to find someone for Sable just as we are. It’s our duty as her sisters to make sure her daughter is happy and settled down.”
“I just can’t understand why some worthy man hasn’t already swept her off her feet. Our girl is beautiful. Stunning, even. Smart and savvy. And so kind heart hearted and warm,” Teresa said. “You’d think a dedicated pediatrician who looks like she does would be snatched up in a heartbeat. What’s wrong with men?”
A question Sable had asked herself numerous times over the years. She’d had two long-term relationships since graduating college and dated when she could. She’d thought she’d be married by now with kids, a dog, and that house in the suburbs that fulfilled the American dream. Unfortunately, the men she’d been involved with hadn’t liked coming in second to her career. With so much time spent studying, then her on-call rotations while in residency, the relationships had fizzled out due to lack of available time to spend together. One guy had even accused her of being married to her job.
Sable had to consider he wasn’t wrong.
“Maybe it’s not the men,” Moira offered. “Maybe Sable’s too picky and no one can live up to her expectations.”
Well that’s wrong, Cuz.
The only expectations Sable had at this point were the man not be abusive, have a pulse, and tolerated her crazy work schedule without an argument.
“Maybe,” Teresa said. “At this rate, Mary’s right and Sable’s always going to be a bridesmaid and never a bride. I’d hate to see her turn into an old maid with nothing to show for her life but a career.” Sable could hear the swish of her hair as the woman shook her head.
“And sitting alone in an apartment every night with just a herd of cats for company.”
Sable blanched at the picture forming in her head.
The trio left a moment later.
Sable blinked back the tears swirling in her eyes. Her aunt’s words hurt—more because they were true.
What to do about it was the question. Meeting available men was difficult at best. The men she met in her practice all had children who were her patients, and wives. Picking up a man in a bar was something she would never do even if faced with that lifetime of loneliness and feline companionship. She’d tried a few dating apps but the men she’d met hadn’t been what she’d been looking for. They fell into two categories once she told them she was a physician. Half were intimidated by her brain and earning potential, the other fifty percent got naughty ideas along the let’s play doctor route.
No thank you.
The notion to succumb to her aunt’s desires and meet some of the men they had lined up for her was fast becoming something she needed to consider.
One thing she was certain of as she left the stall and glanced at her visage in the mirror over the sinks. The next time she attended a family or friend wedding it was going to be her own. She was sick of always being a bridesmaid. She wanted top billing and she was going to do whatever she had to in order to ensure it.
If only she could figure out how to do so without involving her busybody family.
Releasing into the world on Ma7 17 just in time for my birthday, lol. You can preorder your copy now, here: SABLE
Peggy Jaeger, Author 