Iris in Bloom: Take a Chance, Book 2 Read Online Free Page B

soy milk and almond milk. “Seems like you and the professor are really hitting it off.”
    “Teacher’s got a new pet,” she murmured.
    Marguerite peeked into the living area where Geoff and Tara were yakking it up.
    She turned back. “She’s got nothing on you. Take away that long blond hair, the centerfold body and killer smile, really, she’s nothing but a sharp brain.”
    “I am so going to beat you senseless with Dumpy.”

Chapter Four
     
    Whenever she had a birthday coming up, Iris scheduled all those annoying yearly checkups. That way she never had to remember how long it had been since her last one. Her strategy meant a flurry of appointments around the end of March each year, but then she was done.
    Her eyes were still 20/20, her teeth cavity free and freshly cleaned. But, after some routine tests and an appointment with her doctor, she came out frowning.
    Sunshine pricked at her eyes so she pulled sunglasses out of her bag and while she was in there, fished out her phone and made a call.
    Her sister Rose didn’t pick up. But then Rose almost never picked up. If her doctor sister wasn’t in clinic, she was at the hospital or running a marathon or something. She’d intended to leave a message asking Rose to call her, but when she heard her sister telling her to do exactly that she heard herself saying, “I’m coming to Portland. I need a decent haircut and I want to have lunch with you. Text me a time that works for you.”
    And so, three days later, she left Dosana in charge with Daphne helping and drove to Portland. She’d been going to David, of David’s, for five years now, every eight weeks. Usually while she was in Portland she’d do any shopping she needed to do and try to squeeze in a visit with Rose.
    Iris had never seen a more stylish MD than her sister. Apart from flat shoes – though they were Prada or Chanel flats – she wore designer duds, even when they were hidden under a white lab coat. Her dark hair always looked like she’d stepped out of a salon moments ago, and her makeup was ever flawless. Iris, who had stepped out of a salon moments ago, felt like a wreck in comparison.
    They hugged as they met at the restaurant door. “It’s so great to see you,” Rose said, squeezing her tight.
    “You too.”
    “And lunch is my treat. You’ve got a birthday coming up.”
    “Steak and lobster sounds good,” she teased. Though she didn’t feel very jokey inside.
    They were quickly seated at a quiet corner table which made Iris suspect that her sister was a regular here.
    Rose picked up the menu immediately. She was always efficient with her time. “I’d love a glass of wine but I’ve got a full afternoon. You go ahead.”
    She shook her head. “I’ve got a long drive home.”
    They both ordered iced tea and the fish special, which was sockeye salmon flown in fresh from Alaska. That done, Rose turned her attention to her sister. Those dark eyes could focus completely; she supposed that was why Rose was such a good doctor. “What’s up?” she asked.
    Iris reached for a chunk of the fresh focaccia bread and pulled it apart. Then she put the pieces on her plate. “I’m sort of here for a second opinion.”
    “Okay.” Rose waited patiently.
    “I went for my annual medical checkup the other day and everything’s fine. I’m not sick or anything.”
    “Oh, thank God. You had me worried.”
    “No. Sorry. No. I want your opinion on –“ She blew out a breath. “Well, I had, have I guess, endometriosis.”
    “Okay. Not that uncommon in women in your age group who haven’t given birth. It’s basically uterine cells that have migrated outside the uterus. Unless it’s causing a lot of pain, it’s not a big deal.”
    “It’s on my fallopian tubes. My doc said that if I want to have kids I should have them soon.”
    Rose paused in the act of lifting her glass to her mouth. “You want kids?” She asked the way she’d ask her sister if she wanted a dose of rabies.
    She