“Maybe forget the bathroom fan and fix this door,” Foster says. “I shouldn’t have been able to just walk in. The residents’ safety is your responsibility.”
Jerry’s face turns red, looking struck. “I’ll get on it.”
I peek my head around Foster’s arm. “Thank you, Jerry.” I tug at Foster’s sleeve. “We’re going to get going now. Bye.”
I drag Foster out of the vestibule, and when we get onto the sidewalk, I release him. “What’s with the bodyguard act?”
“I don’t like him. He was coming out of that apartment next to you. He didn’t say anything to me. The door to the outside was unlocked.” He stares at the building as if he’s a building inspector and is about to slap a red sticker on it that says CONDEMNED. “I thought your podcast was doing well?”
I stop beside the car he led me to before climbing in. “Are you judging where I live?”
“I just think you can afford somewhere that makes safety a higher priority.”
I place my hand on his chest and laugh. “Let’s remember our roles here, Foster. You’re the baby daddy, not my keeper.”
I climb into the car and get situated as he slides in beside me. Thank God there’s more than enough space, and we’re on separate sides of the SUV. The driver pulls into the traffic with the address already in his GPS.
“You’re wrong. You’re the mother of my child, so your safety is my concern. I don’t like Jerry, and I don’t like the apartment.”
I laugh bitterly. “Well then, let me just move out.” I glare at him, hoping he catches my sarcasm, but he’s still brooding, holding my gaze in a stare down. “Jerry is harmless. He keeps forgetting which tenant needs help, and I’m sure after your mafia boss performance, he’ll get right on the door.”
“I guess we’ll see when we get back.”
“I’ll see because I can get myself home after the appointment.”
“I didn’t say you couldn’t, but I’ll be taking you home after.”
I swivel in my seat to face him and cross my arms. “It’s funny, you know. The gossip blogs all say you’re not a gentleman, so I’m not sure why I’m getting such special treatment, but I can assure you I’m a big girl who can take care of herself.”
I’m not sure how to describe the feeling swimming around inside me from him being so protective. Shock isn’t even the word I’d use to describe how I felt when he was all in on the pregnancy, and now this whole act as if he’s going to put me in a bubble until I deliver his baby.
Foster doesn’t talk the rest of the trip, as if what he says goes. He’s in for a rude awakening. We arrive at the doctor’s building, and he tells the driver he’ll text him when we’re done.
“I can walk home.” I don’t wait for him to answer, heading toward the building.
“Is this doctor any good?” he asks, reaching for the door handle before I can get it, which means his chest is once again pressed to my back.
“No, I picked her because her reviews are subpar. Figured I wanted to give her a chance to redeem herself.” I step into the medical building. “This is the doctor the Falcon wives go to. I used to go to my doctor closer to my mom and dad, but I figured I needed someone in the city.”
“If the Falcons trust her with their wives, then I suppose we can trust her.”
I stare at him blankly as we wait for the elevator. He’s standing so close to me, as if he’s afraid I’m going to disappear.
I sniff his cologne. I don’t know why. Maybe because it smells so damn good.
Shaking it off, I turn to face him. “Okay, you’re scaring me. What’s with this?” I motion with my hand down his body.
He glances down. “What?”
“You being so protective of me. Where I live? Hiring me a car? Judging the doctor I picked?”
Foster shoves his hands into the pockets of his black jacket, and his gaze falls to my stomach. I think I get it now. He can’t control any of this, but he can make sure I’m safe and, as a result of that, so is his child. I feel a little enamored by it if I’m honest.
I sigh. “Let me put you at ease—I’m as invested in this little one as you. I’m going to protect it too.”
The elevator doors open, and I step in without waiting for him to respond. I press the button for the fifteenth floor. He leans his back against the elevator wall and watches the numbers rise as we ride up in silence.
I have no idea what’s going on in his head or how we’re going to navigate this as we move forward. After we confirm that this pregnancy is healthy and happening, we’re supposed to tell Hayes.
