Irregular Heartbeat

by Chris Zett

  Emily opened her mouth, closed it, and opened it again. She didn’t know what to say.

  “Oh my God!” Madison didn’t have the same problem.

  Diana peeled off her gloves, turned them inside out, and stuffed them into a pocket of her pants. She exchanged a glance with Dr. Riley and both started laughing like maniacs.

  Emily shook her head but couldn’t help smiling. She waved at the others to push the gurney forward. “Let’s get them inside before a visitor finds us and thinks they stepped into the shooting of a new soap opera.”

  Tony and Madison shook out of their trance and moved to help Dr. Riley sit up, while Courtney hung back. She was probably already formulating the story that she wanted to spread as soon as possible.

  After she was transferred to the gurney, Dr. Riley reached for Diana’s hand. “Thank you, Rock Chick. Sorry, I mean Dr. Rock Chick.”

  Diana rolled her eyes. “No, I have to thank you. I guess my story won’t be number one on the gossip charts of the hospital any longer.”

  “Yeah, me giving birth like an animal in the wilderness might top a former rock star.” Beneath the veneer of a foul temper, Dr. Riley had a surprising sense of humor.

  Emily wasn’t so sure about that, especially considering Diana’s state of undress, but at least she would no longer be the sole focus of the gossip. She stepped up to Diana and put her hand on the small of her back to offer silent support.

  Dr. Riley looked at Emily’s hand and raised her eyebrows. “Or maybe you two will head up the charts next.”

  Emily froze as her words registered, and Diana stiffened underneath her hand. Oh, shit. She hadn’t realized what her automatic gesture would broadcast. Heat rising to her cheeks, she took a step to the side.

  What happened then would be anyone’s guess. Multiple scenarios from indifference to outrage flashed through her mind.

  Diana’s gaze locked on Emily’s eyes, searching for an answer to the unspoken question. There might still be time to deny it.

  Her heartbeat echoed painfully loud in her ears. No, she couldn’t lie about this. Diana’s story had taught her that you could never control what others were thinking and doing. You could only try to stay true to yourself.

  Determined to follow her heart for once, she moved back to Diana. “Let them talk.”

  Warmth spread through Emily at Diana’s beaming smile. If anyone had any doubts before, the adoration in Diana’s eyes cried out her love louder than any speech could.

  “I guess today will stretch the capacity of the gossip network. Does anyone want to take a bet what story will spread first?” Tony stepped to the head of the gurney and pushed.

  Madison nearly stumbled as she jogged to the other end to pull. Courtney followed them but glanced back to Emily and Diana every few steps.

  When the procession had disappeared around the corner, Diana held out her arms and Emily willingly stepped into them. “Are you okay?”

  “Shouldn’t I ask you that? You just played midwife on a park bench.” Emily buried her nose in Diana’s neck. The faint scent of sweat, almonds, and something that was purely Diana reassured her their decision to admit their relationship was the right one. They had nothing to be ashamed of.

  “I can’t believe I did that. Good that Dr. Riley and I were alone. We both cursed and swore like sailors. And all the fluid and blood…” She shook herself. “You’re lucky neither of us is a man. A close-up of a birth is a powerful contraceptive method.”

  “So, I don’t need to be worried I left you alone for ten minutes and already another woman undressed you?” Emily kissed her neck to show she was teasing.

  “Hardly. And for the record, I undressed her first.” Diana tilted Emily’s face up and cupped her jaw.

  Emily closed the last inch herself to kiss Diana. As always, the world retreated until only the sensation of warm lips remained. Diana softly nibbled at her lower lip until Emily opened her mouth. The gliding of Diana’s tongue against hers caused a tingling that quickly spread through her body. Emily couldn’t get enough of the exciting sensation of belonging together. She’d buried her hands in Diana’s hair to deepen the kiss when a shrill cry tore them apart.

  The baby didn’t seem to like the last part of the transport, or maybe he or she was hungry. Emily leaned her forehead against Diana’s to catch her breath. It was good the little one had reminded her of her surroundings. They were still at work, even if Diana didn’t look and feel like it in her arms.

  Diana stepped out of the embrace with a happy sigh. “I know we didn’t plan it like this, but I think it’s better to have it out in the open. I hate secrets.”

  Emily couldn’t agree more. “Throwing plans overboard seems to be the theme today.”

  And not only today, she added mentally. Diana had completely derailed Emily’s plans for her life. Not that they had been the best of plans, but she had felt safe and secure. Only now she knew they had lacked the most important factor for happiness. With the love they shared, any path they chose for their future together would be the right one.

  Epilogue

  Emily emptied the bag of marshmallows into the large bowl her mother had only ever used to serve salad.

  The door to the kitchen opened, and the smell of campfire and the sound of laughter preceded Jen. “Are you ready? I’m starving.”

  As she reached for one of the soft sugary treats, Emily swatted her hand away. “You’re always starving. We just had giant burgers.”

  “Who knew that Mel could grill like a pro?” Jen’s voice was dreamy.

  “Next to a chef, she’s probably the best match you could ever find. I like her.” Mel’s quiet humor was a good foil to Jen’s exuberance.

  Emily effortlessly got along with Diana’s best friend too. The four of them had spent the last weekend renovating and painting her parents’ beach house. The kitchen was now bright red, and little pieces of driftwood had replaced the cabinet handles. Emily couldn’t believe it was the same room her mother had reigned in. She pressed another bottle of wine into Jen’s hand and grabbed the bowl to return outside.

  On the porch, she had to smile at the collection of shells and sea glass on the wooden railing. Diana never returned from their walks with empty pockets.

  Diana and Mel sat on the log of the old tree they had spent the morning lugging across the plot to the new fire pit. A tall drum stood to one side, next to Mel’s guitar case. The open fire colored the scene in golden light and cast long shadows. Emily’s heart clenched at the sight of Diana’s back, the emerald dragon dancing on her skin with each movement. Unlike the drummer in her recurring dream, Diana turned around, and her bright smile invited her into their circle, close to the fire.

  Mel reached for the bowl and pierced a marshmallow with one of the sticks she had carved this afternoon. Liz, who had joined them to celebrate the Fourth of July, took the bottle of wine and topped off their glasses, then relaxed back into the deck chair she had dragged to the fire earlier.

  “Come here.” Diana pulled her onto the cushion she had placed on the ground in front of the log.

  Emily sat and leaned back, safely ensconced between Diana’s warm legs. “Don’t you want to play your drum? What’s it called again?”

  “Djembe. And I can always play later.” Diana ruffled Emily’s hair and massaged her scalp. “I love your new haircut.”

  “I’m still getting used to it.” Sighing, Emily relaxed into the mesmerizing movement of Diana’s fingertips. Last week, she had the hairdresser cut it radically short because it was the only way to grow out the mousy brown color she had hidden behind for too long. She planned to let it grow back to her old length, but for now, she could enjoy Diana’s fascination with touching the short strands.

  The flames flickered, shooting up sparks now and then. The roar of the ocean interwove with the soft voices of Jen and Liz talking on the other sid
e of the fire and the melody Mel played on her guitar. Happiness filled her, a new feeling of belonging to a family. Emily tilted her head back, and her heart swelled at the sight of Diana smiling at her.

  She immediately bowed down to fulfill Emily’s unspoken request to kiss her. She tasted like home.

  About Chris Zett

  Chris Zett lives in Berlin, Germany, with her wife. TV inspired her to study medicine, but she found out soon enough that real life in a hospital consists more of working long hours than performing heroic rescues. The part about finding a workplace romance turned out to be true, though.

  She uses any opportunity to escape the routine by reading, writing, or traveling. Her favorite destinations include penguin colonies in Patagonia and stone circles in Scotland.

  CONNECT WITH CHRIS

  Website: www.chris-zett.com

  Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChrisZettAuthor

  Instagram: ChrisZettAuthor

  Twitter: @ChrisZettAuthor

  E-Mail: chris-zett@web.de

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  Irregular Heartbeat

  © 2018 by Chris Zett

  ISBN (mobi): 978-3-95533-997-5

  ISBN (epub): 978-3-95533-998-2

  Also available as paperback.

  Published by Ylva Publishing, legal entity of Ylva Verlag, e.Kfr.

  Ylva Verlag, e.Kfr.

  Owner: Astrid Ohletz

  Am Kirschgarten 2

  65830 Kriftel

  Germany

  www.ylva-publishing.com

  First edition: 2018

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to locales, events, business establishments, or actual persons—living or dead—is entirely coincidental.

  Credits

  Edited by Sandra Gerth and JoSelle

  Cover Design and Print Layout by Streetlight Graphics