I change, keeping my bra and panties on, not about to let anyone do invasive procedures for one stupid fainting episode that is totally explainable due to this being one of the worst freaking days of my life.
“I’m sure it’s nothing,” Maddie says.
I roll my eyes. “I’m sure too. That’s why it’s ridiculous we’re even here. You guys have worried way too much about me. I get it. Trevor is dead.” My words become faint and broken. “I m-may not ever get over it, but I do have to get on with my life. And you guys need to stop hovering and get on with yours.”
I turn to Regan. “Don’t you have a birthday party to set up? Mitchell turns one tomorrow. You should be at home decorating or something, not babysitting me.”
Her brows collide above her nose as if what I said was really stupid. “He’s turning one, Ava. It’s not like he’s going to care if things are perfect. I’ll just have Marti or Allie go over and meet the party planner if we’re not out of here by four.”
I shake my head. “Sometimes I still can’t believe you married a guy whose family has more money than they know what to do with. A party planner for a one-year-old? Geesh.”
I say it in disgust, but she knows I’m kidding.
The curtain is drawn, and Mindy returns with a doctor behind her.
“I’m Dr. Lee,” he says, looking up from the chart. “Ava Criss?” He frowns. “My condolences. What a terrible tragedy. I had the pleasure of mentoring Trevor for a time when he did a summer elective here. That must have been a decade ago.” He gently touches my shoulder. “I’m truly sorry for your loss.”
I stare out the window as he goes over what tests he wants to run, not wanting to look into the eyes of yet another person who feels sorry for me. I don’t even listen. I just want to go home and get back to work. Work is the only thing getting me through the days.
When the shop closes at three, I clean. The floors have never been more spotless. If the health inspector came nosing around now, he’d be damned impressed. And when I’m done cleaning, I go up to my apartment and bake. I’ve never before offered so many home-baked goods at the shop. I’ve been baking muffins, cookies, breakfast breads… I’ve even tried my hand at making coffee cakes and have found I’m not half bad.
“Ava?”
I look up. Mindy is waiting for something.
“I’m going to draw your blood now, okay?”
I stick out my arm. “Just do it. Whatever it takes to get me out of here quickly.”
When the blood draw is done, I’m hooked up to a blood pressure machine and then they run some electro-something-or-other to check my heart.
After what seems like forever, and a lot of wasted time of Maddie and Regan trying to entertain me, Dr. Lee comes back around the curtain.
I can tell from the look on his face that what he has to say is not something I want to hear.
Am I dying?
Oddly, the thought of it doesn’t exactly scare me.
“Dr. Lee, you may have the worst poker face I’ve ever seen. Do I have cancer or something?”
He shakes his head as my hands are squeezed tightly by my friends who now seem very concerned.
“Your blood pressure is ideal. Your ECG shows nothing significant. But something did show up on your blood test.”
I swallow. “What?”
He looks at my friends.
“Whatever you have to say, they can hear it.”
“It’s customary to run certain tests on blood regardless of the reason for your visit, especially for women.” He inhales deeply. “Ava, it seems you’re pregnant.”
Chapter Five
Ava
Irip my hands free of Maddie’s and Regan’s. They fly up to cover my gaping mouth. “I’m p-pregnant?”
