Before I knew it, two weeks had gone by since my insemination and the kiss I’d shared with Marc. The time had both dragged and gone by in what seemed like a blink, but I wouldn’t have even thought about the date or realized that my period was late had it not been for the ding of my wristband at eight o’clock in the morning or the flashing words on the screen that told me I should report to the clinic.
Shit.
Ready to get it over with, I dressed on autopilot, brushed my teeth, and raked my fingers through my long, brown hair so I could pull it into a messy ponytail, and headed out.
Hilary, of course, was waiting outside the clinic.
“Feeling okay?” she asked when she saw me.
At least she had the common sense not to act like this was a happy day this time around.
I gave a shrug I hoped was as neutral as her tone had been. “No different than usual.”
My minder frowned and looked me over. “You don’t look great.”
“Gee, thanks,” I muttered.
“I meant you look tired,” she snapped. “I’ve noticed your sleeping patterns have been erratic. Is it stress or something else?”
“Seriously?” I snorted out an ironic laugh. “It’s crazy that you even have to ask. Yes, it’s stress! I’m here against my will, in a program I didn’t sign up for, waiting to see if I’m pregnant with a baby I don’t want. If that’s not going to cause stress, I don’t know what is.”
Hilary pressed her lips into a thin line.
I waved to the door before she could lecture me about being grateful. “Let’s get this over with.”
She moved without comment, opening the door, and motioning for me to go ahead.
I did but froze one step inside, my heart hammering, and my mouth suddenly dry. Marc was sitting at the desk.
This was the closest I’d been to him in two weeks, and I didn’t know how to act or what to say. Or even if I should sayanything. As far as Hilary knew, he and I were strangers, so it would have been weird to address or even acknowledge him. But saying nothing felt even more wrong. Especially because I had so much to say.
There was no surprise in Marc’s eyes, which told me he’d either seen my name on the list of women who’d be coming in today or he’d expected it. Maybe he’d remembered that two weeks had passed since my insemination. Maybe that was why he was here today. To see me. To find out how I was and if I was pregnant or something else. I hoped so.
“Arabella Murphy for a test,” Hilary said, oblivious to the tension crackling through the air.
Tearing his gaze from mine, Marc typed something into the tablet in front of him, and without looking up, said, “They have you set up in room five.”
“Thank you,” my minder replied, then waved for me to start walking.
I hesitated, waiting to see if Marc would look at me again, but he kept his focus on the tablet. My heart twisted painfully, and tears sprang to my eyes, but I blinked them back, not sure how I would explain them to Hilary. And because I didn’t want Marc to know how much his rejection hurt.
“I know you’re not looking forward to this,” Hilary said when I didn’t move, “but there’s no avoiding it, so we might as well get it over with.”
“I know,” I whispered.
As if the sound of my voice had affected him, Marc jerked, but he still didn’t look up.
I forced myself to move.
Once through the curtain, Hilary led the way. We didn’t have far to go, and all the cubicles were numbered, so it wasn’t necessary for her to direct me, but I was glad I didn’t have to use my brain since it was too crowded with thoughts of Marc. At least he was still distracting me. That was something.
When we reached the correct cubicle, Hilary pulled the curtain aside and motioned for me to enter. I hadn’t wonderedhow the test would be administered until I stepped through, but I should have. Last time, it had been a urine test, and apparently it would be again because a toilet chair like what you’d see in a nursing home was set up on the other side of the small space.
I spun on Hilary. “You have to be kidding. There are bathrooms just outside the ballroom!”
She didn’t react to my outrage. “We want a more controlled environment for these tests.”
I ground my teeth. “Are you going to watch me pee, too?”
