Jane’s gaze shifts to the two men flanking me like a human wall.“And you are?”
“Callaway,” Cally says easily—too easily, like he’s not sitting beside a half-naked woman under a paper sheet.He gestures toward Monty.“That’s Alberto.”
Monty gives a clipped nod.No grin or charm.It’s as if he’s holding himself in place by force.
Jane nods once and turns back to me.“Okay.I’m here so we can meet your little one for the first time.”
My stomach rolls.“Meet” is such a friendly word.Like we’re heading to brunch.As if my life isn’t dangling on a screen.
She snaps on gloves.“Since it’s still early, we’ll be doing a transvaginal sonogram.”
I nod like I didn’t already hear that sentence earlier and briefly consider faking my own death.
“Have you had one before?”she asks gently.
I shake my head.“Nope.First time.New experiences.Love them.Huge fan.”
Cally makes a sound that could be a cough or a laugh.He tries to play it off by clearing his throat, but I see the way his eyes crease.
Monty doesn’t laugh.Monty just watches me like he’s taking notes on every tremor in my voice.
“All right,” Jane says, “I’m going to help position your legs to make things more comfortable.”
She pulls out two cushioned straps from the sides of the table, adjusting them over my bent knees.
I look down.
Then I look at Cally.
Then I look at Monty.
They are watching this unfold like a documentary titledHow Vesper Lafontaine Loses Her Last Shred of Dignity.
“You can still leave,” I suggest, and my voice jumps an octave.
Cally’s lips twitch.“I wouldn’t miss this weird show for the world.I’m just sad I forgot snacks.”
“Callaway,” Monty warns.
“This is weird,” I hiss.“Don’t make it weirder.”
Cally’s eyes soften, humor fading into something gentler.“Okay,” he says quietly, like he heard the fear under my words.“Okay.”
Jane adjusts the screen, then looks back at me.“All right, Vesper.I’m going to insert this now.You might feel some pressure, but it shouldn’t be painful.Tell me if you need me to adjust anything.”
I suck in a breath and grip the edge of the table.My fingers curl hard into the paper.
“I have never been more aware of myself,” I say, voice shaking just enough to annoy me.
Monty leans in slightly, not touching but close, like he’s bracing.“You want me to distract you?”he murmurs.“I could list the top five burgers in America in a movie-trailer voice.”
I glare at him through my panic.“If you say another word, I will rip these straps off and take you out with one.”
His mouth almost curves—almost.“Noted.”
Jane chuckles softly.“You’re doing great.”
And then she turns the screen toward me.
