“Says the one who shouted at the receptionist.”
“I didn’t shout. I was just pointing out the shitty service.”
“It was rude, whatever it was.”
“Things just shouldn’t take this long,” I point out, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Maybe not in your life. But you’re hanging out with us normal people now.”
“I’m not—” I cut my own words off when I realize she probably has a point. Thanks to my father’s success, both Parker and I have lived privileged lives. It’s easy to get swept up by it all sometimes.
When I look over at her, she’s wearing an accomplished smirk.
Silence falls between us as the clock continues to tick forward.
“Still think this is bullshit,” I complain.
She’s about to tell me to leave when her name is finally called.
“Finally,” I grunt, pushing to my feet a second after her.
By the time I’m at full height, she’s standing before me with her hands on her hips and a fierce expression on her face. “You know, you don’t have to do this. If you want to wait until?—”
“Your friend has gone,” I point out.
“And I’m a fully grown woman who can attend an appointment alone.”
I glance at the door and then back at Bea. There’s still fear in her eyes, but there’s also excitement and hope.
My gut tells me that she isn’t a bad person. I can demand DNA tests and accuse her of being wrong. But deep down, I really don’t think she’s manipulative enough. She genuinelybelieves it’s mine, and if I’m being honest with myself, then yeah, there is a chance she’s right.
“You’re not doing this alone,” I state before marching forward and pressing my hand to the small of her back.
The sonographer introduces herself to both of us, and she doesn’t so much as flinch when she hears my name or looks at my face. I breathe a sigh of relief that she has no idea who I am.
Being here is a risk. Anyone in here could recognize me, and the story about me being a baby daddy could hit the internet in seconds.
Unease rattles through me.
I should have taken control of these appointments. Booked them somewhere a little more discreet.
I shake my head as I lower my ass to another uncomfortable chair. Looking back, there are a lot of things I should have done, but it’s too fucking late now.
Bea shuffles up the examination table and gets into position, following orders perfectly. She makes it look effortless, as if she’s done it a million times before. I can only assume she hasn’t.
My heart races as the sonographer squirts some gel on Bea’s stomach and grabs a wand. She hasn’t stopped talking, telling us what she’s going to be looking for and what to expect. But I barely hear a word of it. I’m too busy spinning out of control. And it only gets worse when the black and white fuzz on the screen comes to life.
My eyes are glued to it, trying to decipher what I’m seeing, but I can’t.
“There you go,” the sonographer says, pointing at the screen. “Head, back, legs all tucked up.”
Beside me, Bea sniffles, and I reach out without thought, my fingers entwining with hers as I slide to the edge of my seat, my eyes wide with disbelief.
“Holy shit. That’s a baby.”
Both the sonographer and Bea laugh. They both discuss dates and things, but it all passes me by.
I’m staring at a baby growing in this woman’s belly.
