Goddess of the Rose (Goddess Summoning #4)(5)

"You sound like a shrink when you talk like that."

"Just answer the damn question."

"I smelled roses." Mikki's lips curled in a smile.

"At least you're consistent." She grinned at her friend. Then her look sobered. "What caused it to end?"

Mikki grimaced. "Some bubba in a pickup drove by, gunned his motor, and honked while he yelled something incredibly articulate like 'Whoo-hoo! You are one hot mamma, Red.' That effectively killed the fantasy."

"As it would any fantasy that took place anywhere except a trailer park," Nelly said.

"Ugh." Mikki nodded in agreement. "So am I bananas?"

"I don't think 'bananas' would be the medical term I would use."

"Nuts?"

Nelly shrugged. "Clearly, you're some kind of fruit." Then her expression turned serious. "All kidding aside, Mikki, I need to know how this is making you feel. Are you afraid?"

Mikki answered slowly, maintaining eye contact with her friend. "I'll admit it makes me nervous. I wonder what's going on inside my head, but I'm not afraid. It's never made me feel afraid." She drew a deep breath before she finished her answer. "Honestly, I don't want to sound like a freak or some kind of a pervert, but the dreams have become incredibly sexy. Hell, even the weird vision made my heart pound and gave me that fluttery feeling like I'd just been kissed by someone who really knows what he's doing. I hate to admit it, but I'm more horny than horrified." She bit her bottom lip. "Is that awful?"

"Nope," Nelly assured her quickly. "I'm glad you don't feel anxiety or fear. Actually . . ." She gathered up her purse and checked her lipstick. "My professional opinion - although you didn't technically ask for it - is that your imagination is working overtime because it has been forever since you've been laid."

"That's what you'd tell one of your patients?"

"You are not one of my patients. And my friend, you are not crazy."

"I'm just creative and horny?"

"That's my guess. Or I could write you a referral to a good neurologist."

"A neurologist!" Mikki's panic caused her voice to go shrill. "Do you think I have a brain tumor or something?"

"Please do not freak. There are a variety of neurological problems that can cause symptoms like you have been experiencing." She stood, grabbing her briefcase from beside the chair. "If it gets worse and is really bothering you, you might want to have some bloodwork run or whatnot."

"Is 'whatnot' another medical term?"

"Just like 'bananas' and 'nuts.' " Nelly leaned down and gave her a quick, hard hug. "Don't worry about it. Just go on with your life as you normally would, because you are normal. Oh, and don't forget that I'm fixing you up with that professor who is in town to lecture at TU."

Mikki groaned. "Now I really do wish you thought I was nuts."

"Stop it. This date will be good for you. Just don't act like you hate all men. It really doesn't make for a good first impression."

"I don't hate all men. I even like men. In theory. It's just that the past thirty-five years have trained me to believe that they will eventually disappoint me."

"Uh, that's not such a positive attitude either."

"Fine. I'll try to be good."

"I didn't mean for you to be good - just don't be cynical, and don't worry. You're totally okay." Nelly hugged her again and then hurried out the door.

Mikki frowned and checked her watch. She'd have to get going soon, too. Drinking the rest of her coffee, she muttered to herself. "Don't worry? Oh, sure. I saw Phenomenon. John Travolta thought aliens had visited him - until he died from his brain tumor. Aliens . . . a sexy beastlike dream lover . . . what's the difference? I think we're both screwed in more ways than one."

Chapter Three

"NURSING Services, how may I help you?" Mikki answered the ringing phone as she glanced at the clock. It was just a little past noon. Would the day never end?

"May I speak with Mikki Empousai?" the man asked.

"This is she." Mikki tried to keep the impatience out of her voice. It was probably another drug rep trying to schmooze her so he could get to her boss. As executive assistant for the director of Nursing Services at St. John's Hospital, it fell to her to screen salesmen and other time-wasters from her director. But it certainly was an annoying part of her job. Didn't those guys ever give up?

"Mikki, this is Arnold Asher. I'm calling to confirm our date tonight."

"Oh! Uh . . . oh," Mikki stuttered.

"You sound surprised. Did I record the date wrong in my Blackberry?"

Through the phone Mikki could hear him tapping the little electronic screen.

"No, I haven't forgotten. I've just had a really busy morning," she lied. The only thing on her mind after her breakfast with Nelly had been her brain tumor and getting through the rest of the day at work without some kind of tragic, foaming-at-the-mouth psychotic episode. Briefly, she tried to recall if her bra and panties matched. God, it'd be embarrassing to be admitted to the psych ward wearing tacky lingerie . . .