If she believes finding someone else with help, more power to her, but I won’t be the man to do it … and she sure as hell isn’t replacing Lucy.
“You know, you’re a jackass. I’m sorry if my concern for you and your daughter eating makes you so rattled,” she snaps.
“I told you I appreciated the meals, but they weren’t necessary. I don’t need help feeding my daughter. We both know your concern wasn’t making sure we had hot meals twice a day.”
She slumps back against the truck. “So, it’s true then?”
“What’s true?”
Her concern has switched to annoyance. “You and the new chick in town have something going on?”
My eyes stay pinned to her.
“Stella’s friend,” she clarifies, annoyed.
“The hell you hear that?” I ask with a scoff.
“We all saw it at the fair—to my surprise, considering, months ago, you made it clear you weren’t interested in dating, period.”
“I’m not dating anyone.” I pause and pinch my lips together. “Not that it’s anyone’s fucking business.”
A rush of red storms her cheeks. “Asshole,” she mutters before turning around and stomping to her car.
Two days have passed since the fair fiasco, and communication with Willow has been limited and vague. Phone calls go unanswered. Text messages consists of one word. I’ve never received so many K and Cool responses.
That’s changing today.
It’s our first doctor’s appointment. I texted Willow the details after scheduling it and waited for the argument I knew was coming, but surprisingly, she agreed … with a fucking K.
I park my truck and wait until she walks out of her apartment before jumping out and joining her on the sidewalk.
“Nuh-uh,” she says. “I’m driving myself.”
“No one is driving,” I reply. “It’s a five-minute walk. I thought we’d enjoy the stroll.”
She pinches her lips together, and her shoulder smacks against mine when she bursts past me and down the sidewalk. “I’ll pass.”
She pushes when I pull.
I pull when she pushes.
One of us is always resisting when the other comes forward.
I speed-walk to keep up with her. “Come on. The weather is perfect. Let’s save the environment and conserve gas, not pollute the air. Walking with me will save the world.”
My humanity-saving argument doesn’t stop her, and I nearly miss her mocking me, an uneven smile on her lips. I don’t hold back my shit-eating grin when she passes her car and keeps walking. I stay a few steps behind and let her believe she’s getting her way until it happens.
I rush forward when she trips on her feet, falling forward, her knees almost hitting the concrete while her lips are close to kissing the sidewalk. I stretch my arm out to capture her around the waist, and she yelps as I steady her. Instead of breaking my hold when she’s stable, I tighten my grip, my fingers sinking into the cotton of her Girl Power T-shirt, and stare down at her.
I wait for her to pull out of my hold and tell me never to touch her again. She does none of that. She stays still, catching her breath, and shakes her head.
“Really?” she mutters. “So damn cliché. I fall, and you catch me.”
I can’t help but chuckle at the actuality of her words. “Just like in the movies.”
I release my hold on her waist but move my hand to her elbow just in case.
“You’re nervous,” I say.
I run my hand up and down her arm in an attempt to calm her nerves. I don’t know what has her riled up more—her almost fall, us touching, or this appointment.
She pulls out of my hold with a grimace and runs her hand down her long hair. “No shit, Sherlock.”
“Anything I can do to help?”
“Not come.”
“Anything I can do but that?”
Her hands start shaking, and I turn so that I’m standing in front of her. She attempts to maneuver around me, but I take a step over. She tries the other side. I do the same thing.
“Breathe. Relax.” I inhale and exhale a few times in hopes that she’ll follow my lead. She does. “Everything is going to be okay, I promise. If you feel uncomfortable, we’ll leave.”
We do this for a good five minutes, and she sniffles while calming down. “These damn pregnancy hormones are going to be the end of my sanity.”
I smile. “I wish I could say they get better, but from what I’ve witnessed, they don’t.” I move out of her way and settle my hand on the arch of her back when she starts walking again.
“Then, I’d be careful not to piss me off.”
“That’s been my goal since day one.”
I’ve been sucking ass at it though.
She sniffles again. “You need to work harder.”
Thought confirmed.
I move my arm up and wrap it around her shoulders, bringing her to my side, hoping she doesn’t pull away. This isn’t sexual. It’s something you do to a friend having a bad day.
“Come on, I can’t have you showing up to the doctor in tears. My mom would have my ass if she found out. Give me something I can do to calm you down.”
“Punching you might work.”
I break our connection to move back in front of her and start walking backward. “If being your punching bag helps, then have at it.” I throw my arms out and gesture for her to take a swing.
I’m the one stumbling this time when she pushes me back. “God, you piss me off.”
“What? Why? I’m giving you what you want.”
I’ve never had complications like this with a woman. Granted, my experience is limited to one woman, so that doesn’t say much in itself. I don’t remember learning Lucy’s quirks because I grew up with them. They were instilled in me before I knew how to spell my name.
She scowls. “What I want is for you to stop being so damn nice.”
“What? Why?” I repeat, confused as fuck.
If I’m an ass, she’s pissed. If I’m nice, she’s pissed.
“Because you’re making it difficult to hate you right now.”
“That’s a bad thing?”
“Yes!”
I’m doing everything in my power to fix this, to make her feel comfortable, so she doesn’t run away again, but it’s killing me. I’m very rarely the fun guy. My role has always been the serious and overprotective brother. Hudson was the Marine who thrived on having a good time, and Lauren was the mischievous one I caught sneaking out on too many occasions. I was the big brother who made sure everyone was okay and protected.
I stop us in front of the restored yellow Victorian home. “And we’re here.” Perfect timing before we get into another argument, and my goal of distracting her has somewhat succeeded.
She assesses the building and glares at me like I’m fucking with her. “This …” She does another once-over. “This is a house. Where’s the office?”
I point to the sign with the doctor’s name.
“This isn’t some midwives shit, is it? Not to be judgmental, but I’m not having my baby in some old home’s bathtub.”
“We’ll go to a hospital when you give birth, and so will the doctor. Give Dr. Riley a chance. If you hate him, we’ll go to the city.”
Compromise. Compromise. Fucking compromise. Marriage taught me that compromise is what keeps you going when the tides get rough.
She sighs. “Let’s do this then.”
Chapter Sixteen
Willow
The door chimes when we walk in, and the nurse behind the counter jumps up from her chair to greet us. Her smile collapses when she notices Dallas behind me. She has the perfect sun-kissed blonde hair and a summer tan. She reminds me of Lucy. Dallas’s type.
She tucks a strand behind her ear. “Dallas … I didn’t see you on the books today.”
“Hey, Fiona. I’m with Willow Andrews. We have an appointment with Aidan,” he explains, keeping his focus on me.
Dallas was
A few chairs sit in the waiting room across from the wooden front desk A photo of an older man with his name underneath it is centered on the wall, and a corkboard covered with flyers is hung next to it.
Get your flu shot!
Join the bowling league!
Fire department fundraiser this Friday!
The nurse’s red lips dip in surprise as she stares at me in curiosity the same way everyone did at the fair. “I see. Let me collect the paperwork your doctor sent over this morning, and then I’ll show you to your exam room.”
Dallas tucks his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “Is Rick in today?”
“No, he’s out hunting. Won’t be back until the weekend. We have a light schedule today, even with Aidan here.” She laughs. “Everyone remembers all the trouble he got into when you guys were younger, and they aren’t sure if they trust him with needles yet.”
I jerk my head to glare at Dallas. The hell? Is he bringing me to some quack?
“Aidan knows what he’s doing,” Dallas says, reassuring me. “We can’t all stay the kids who drank behind my parents’ barn or nearly lit the town square on fire.”
Fiona slaps his shoulder. “I miss those days.” She taps it next. “How have you been doing?”
He nods, scraping a hand through his hair, and his face tightens. “Fine.”
“You let me know if you need anything, all right?”
“Thanks,” he replies flatly.
Well … this sure is fun.
“So, where to?” he asks.
She leads us to a room at the end of the hallway. The door isn’t numbered but does say Dr. Aidan Riley across the top glass.
I sit on the exam bed while Dallas scoots his chair next to me. I don’t realize I’m tapping my feet until he rests his hand on my thigh, causing me to flinch. I surprise myself by not moving it. He might piss me off, but his touch relaxes me. That still doesn’t stop me from scowling at him though.
There’s a knock on the door, and Dallas moves his hand like a kid caught with it in the cookie jar when the doctor walks in.
The first thing I notice shouldn’t be how attractive he is, but he’s definitely a looker. Blond hair cut short in almost a frat-boy style but more sophisticated and an oval face with perfect features. I was expecting a dude in overalls. Now, I’m stuck in a room with two men I wouldn’t have a problem screwing. My OB-GYN and the off-limits man who knocked me up.
He holds out his hand with a smile. “Willow, pleasure meeting you. I’m Dr. Riley, but call me Aidan, considering my father has the same name, and I’m not an old goat.”
I smile back, and his attention goes to Dallas next, worry crossing his features.
“Dallas, you doing okay, man?”
My smile collapses. I feel bad for Dallas. His loss follows him everywhere. He will forever be known as the man who tragically lost his wife too soon. And I’ll forever be known as the woman who screwed the heartbroken widowed man and got knocked up.
Dallas’s attention stays on me as he answers, “Sure am, Doc.”
Aidan sits down on the rolling stool and comes closer. “The doctor who gave you your initial pregnancy test sent over your records. It appears, you’re around twelve weeks. Good timing for your first ultrasound.”
“Right … right now?” I ask. I knew he’d want to run tests but figured he’d want to ask more questions before diving straight in.
“We can do it another time if you’d like,” Aidan replies.
“No.” I clear my throat. “Today’s fine.” I want to see my baby. I peek over at Dallas. “You probably don’t want to be in here for this.”
He kicks his legs out and makes himself comfortable in the chair. “I’d like to be. That cool?”
Fuck no.
Aidan opens a cabinet and pulls out a cup before handing it to me. “You think about it. Meanwhile, I need a urine sample.” He tips his head toward the other side of the room. “Bathroom’s right there.”
I shut the door behind me and am washing my hands when I hear their conversation.
“Your mom know about this?” Aidan asks.
“No,” Dallas answers. “Just Hudson, his girlfriend, and Lauren.”
“Is she …” Aidan pauses. “Are you two …”
“Are we dating? No. It was a one-time thing.”
Aidan chuckles. “Oh, man. Good luck, my friend, and congratulations on the baby.”
My head flies up, nearly colliding with Dallas’s, and I’m struggling to keep my breath.
“Twins?” I yell. “Did you …” My gaze flicks to Dallas, who looks in as much shock as I am. “Did he … did he say twins?”
“Sure did,” Aidan answers with a wide grin. “My first prenatal patient, and we’re having twins. Yes!”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, Doctor, but you’re new at this, right? Are you sure you know how to read these correctly? They’re probably more ancient than what you worked with in med school.”
Aidan is still smiling, not offended. “I read these things for years when I shadowed my father. I clearly see two fetuses.” He puts his finger on the screen. “Here’s baby one.” Then, he moves it over. “And baby number two.”
Holy shit. Holy shit.
Dallas is sitting up straight, mouth open, and staring at the screen like he has to memorize it for a test tomorrow.
I can’t think straight. I was scared shitless when I thought I was having one baby. Now, I’m having two?
Double the responsibility. Double the diaper-changing. Double the expenses. Double the help I’m going to need from Dallas. Double the time we’ll be spending together.
“Let’s get lunch.”
I stop in my tracks and coldly gape at him. From now on, I’ll be placing all of this pregnancy blame on him because it’s too much for me to carry two babies in my body along with the responsibility of our choice on my shoulders.
He knocked me up. I’m the one who has to push the babies out, so he can deal with the blame for the pain and fear I’m experiencing. It only makes sense.
“Lunch?” I repeat. “Don’t you mean, let’s find a safe, pregnancy-approved Xanax? Or let’s go to yoga? Or find a stress-management class? Did you hear what Aidan said? I have two babies inside me.”
We found out we’re having twins, and he wants to get fucking lunch? Surely, I can’t be the only one in shock.
Lucky for me, Fiona was on break and unable to witness the panic in me when we left the exam room.
He stares at me with unease. “I heard him loud and clear. Two babies make feeding you even more important.”
“Are you not fucking terrified?” I shout.
We’re on the sidewalk outside the doctor’s office, which isn’t too far from the town square where most of the people hang out and gossip. There’s a chance someone might hear us, but I don’t care right now.
He takes a deep breath. “Nervous? Yes. But it’s nothing I can’t handle.” He takes the step separating us and runs his hands over my arms. “You can do this. We can do this. You’re going to be a great mother. When the babies come, your instincts will kick in, and you’ll have it figured out. Hell, I’ve seen you do shit for Stella that’s more demanding than children. So, yes, I’m nervous and surprised as fuck, but I’m relieved, knowing our twins will have a kick-ass mother. I trust you. I have faith in you. It won’t be easy, but we’ll make it work.”
I scrunch up my face when he snorts. “What’s so funny?”
“I bet you’re glad you didn’t hide this from me now. Admit it. You’re going to need my help.”
“You’re changing all the diapers, by the way. That’s your daddy duty.”
“Whatever you need, I’ll be here.” He rubs his hands together. “Now, how ’bout that lunch?”
“Lunch together? Like, in a public place?”
He chuckles. “Yes, together. There’s a diner down the street that serves the best sandwiches and pies you’ve ever had.”
I fake a yawn. “Thanks for the invite, but I’m pretty exhausted.”
I used to feel comfortable with spending hours with Dallas. We traveled together for weeks straight at times and ate meals together, and it never felt weird. So, why does it seem like such a big deal now? We slept with each other, for God’s sake.
“Come on.” He places his hands together. “Please.”
“Fine, but a quick meal, and that’s it.” It’s hard to turn down this man.
He grins in victory. We pass small shops and bakeries before stopping in front of Shirley’s Diner. Large windows line the front, and I see the prying eyes before we even step foot inside. My anxiety triples when I follow him to a booth at the front of the diner sitting along the window.
“You okay?” he asks when we sit down.
I lean in and lower my voice. “They’re staring at me like I’m from a different planet.”
“They’re just curious.” He rests his hands on the table. “Say the word, and I’ll get up from this table and tell them to stop.”
“You’d do that?” I grab his arm when he starts to get up and let my fingers linger around his muscle before slowly peeling them away. “No!” I spread my napkin across my lap in an attempt to calm my nerves. “Forget I said anything.”
An older, dark-skinned waitress comes to our table. “Dallas, it’s nice to see you. I was afraid you’d been cheating on me with a new diner.”
Dallas chuckles. “You know I’d never betray you, Shirley. I’ve just been busy.”
She waves off his response with a grin. “You know I’m only giving you a hard time.” Her lips form a sincere smile when she glimpses at me. “And I see why you’ve been busy. What can I get for you, sweetie? Iced tea? Lemonade?”
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