Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 55458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 277(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 277(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
I hadn’t. “I enjoy a day off when I need it, and girls’ nights are like a full day away from this place.”
“No, they’re not. And working too much could be just as responsible for your symptoms as the flu, or worse, your defenses were lowered because you haven’t been taking care of yourself.”
I let out a low groan when she removed the tiny needle from my arm. “I eat healthy and I try to exercise regularly.”
She nodded, acknowledging the truth of my words. “But what about your mind and your heart? Maybe they’re exhausted, too.” Persy held a cup out to me and shooed me toward the bathroom. “I’ll meet you in exam room three.”
I filled the cup and stood outside exam room three, my heart thudding in my chest as I prepared myself for all the possibilities. Whatever this is, I already have it. No need to worry. I pushed the door open and went inside. “All right, what’s next?”
Persy went through the list of questions that included my family history, date of my last period and the most unexpected question of all. “That’s more than six weeks, could you be pregnant?”
I sucked in a breath at my friend’s question and shook my head. Pregnant? “No, not possible.”
Isn’t it? the snarky voice in my head chimed in, bringing me back to reality. I closed my eyes and instantly I was transported back to all the times I’d been with Gavin over the past couple of months. The orgasms. The kisses. The touching and tasting. Me on my knees. His face buried between my legs. His lean hips thrusting deep. Lots and lots of sex, more than I’d ever had, and not a condom in sight.
“Oh. My. God.” The shock was visceral, as if my chest had just slammed into the steering wheel at thirty miles per hour.
I looked up to find a sympathetic grin on Persy’s face. “You can tell me, you know? I’m bound by doctor-patient confidentiality.”
I gave her a look with one brow arched and my lips pursed. “That’s a cheap way to dig into my personal life, Persephone.”
She flashed an innocent smile before a laugh exploded out of her. “First of all, we’re friends, which gives me every right to dig. Second, I wasn’t aware you had a personal life.”
“Touché,” I sighed. “I’ve been sort of seeing Gavin. It’s nothing serious, just a bit of fun and a lot of sex until he goes back to Hollywood.”
“And you’re all right with those terms?”
I sighed, because of course I wasn’t all right with it. “It’s not terms, per se. We never talked about it, but come on, Persy. He’s not settling down here when his life is back in California. And when or if he does, it won’t be with a woman like me.”
I knew that and wouldn’t convince myself of anything else.
“Right. Well, maybe you want to talk to Gavin about what this is before you make up your mind.”
A knock sounded on the door and an arm slid inside to hand Persy a folder.
“I don’t want to talk to him about it. I know the truth.” And I couldn’t bear to see him look at me with a pitying look while he searched for ways to let me down easy.
“You think you do, but he clearly likes you. No offense, but if it was just sex or a distraction, there are plenty of willing women to warm his bed.”
“True,” I sighed. “All the more reason to accept what this is.”
And isn’t.
Persy nodded, but she had that expression on her face that said she didn’t agree. “Suzie, your urine shows high levels of HCG, and you know what that means. You’re pregnant. We can wait for the blood test to confirm it but, based on the levels, I’m confident that’s the cause of your symptoms. As your friend, it’s time to think about what you really want.”
The answer came immediately. I want this baby. No matter what Gavin said he wanted with us or this baby, my decision was solid. Firm. I wanted to be a mother, and as sad as it was to admit to myself, given my age and lack of a social life, this might be my only shot to give birth to a child of my own. Then, like my own parents, I would focus on adopting or fostering children who needed a stable, loving home.
I sat a little taller on the exam table and looked Persy right in those clear violet eyes. “I’m having this baby.”
“You sure you don’t want to talk to Gavin first?”
I shook my head. “I’ll tell him.” Eventually. “But my mind is made up. I want this baby.” He or she wasn’t planned, but that didn’t mean I wouldn’t make the most of this opportunity. This experience.