“Julia’s in hospital. Christina and I went around to her place and found her collapsed on the floor.”
“Is she okay?”
“She’s asking for Connor. Do you know where he is? I haven’t been able to reach him, either.”
“He picked me up…uh…from the airport. He’s here. I’ll get him.”
“Julia’s in hospital,” she murmured, handing him the phone.
“Susan, it’s Connor. What’s wrong with Julia?” He froze, a scowl furrowing his brow. “A baby. Shit. Okay. Maggie and I will come now.” He hung up.
“Did I hear right? A baby?”
“Yeah, Susan said Julia is asking for me and got upset.”
Maggie’s mind made the leap. “Is it yours?” she whispered, trying to keep her hurt balled up inside.
Connor took her by the shoulders and turned her to face him. The playfulness of the weekend had faded, leaving a stranger. “Julia is like a sister. It’s true we’ve spent a lot of time together in the past, but I have never, ever slept with her.Never.”
The hurt seeped away under his intent gaze. Truth shone on his face and in his voice.
“Okay,” Maggie said. “I’m sorry for doubting you.”
“You know what happens to doubters?” Connor asked.
“They get spanked?”
No,” he said. “They get sent to bed with no supper.”
“I’ll lose my beautiful curvy shape.”
Connor grabbed her hand and gave her a swift kiss. “That would be a disaster. We’d better go. It must be serious if they’re keeping Julia in hospital. I’ll drive.”
They walked into the hospital room together to find Susan and Christina already present.
“We’ve been trying to ring you all day,” Christina said.
“Susan said. I’ve been away for the weekend and turned off my phone.”
“Connor?”
“I’m here, babe.” Connor moved closer to the bed and took her hand. Maggie had never seen Julia without her make-up. Her face was pale, and huge purple circles beneath her eyes made her seem very fragile.
Maggie watched them, working to maintain a passive face. She couldn’t let the surge of jealousy choking her inside free, couldn’t let the others see it.
“I lost the baby, Connor. I wanted this baby.” She started to cry, and Connor dragged her into his arms, holding her and whispering soothing words to her.
Maggie swallowed, figuring Julia would like time alone. “We’ll be in the canteen grabbing a coffee,” she whispered.
Susan and Christina followed her from the room.
“What do you think that’s about?” Susan asked.
“I don’t know,” Maggie said.
“How could Julia go behind our backs and sleep with Connor?” Christina muttered. “She promised.”
Cripes. “I don’t think this is the time to hash it out now,” Maggie said. “We don’t know what happened. I didn’t even know Julia was pregnant.”
