Page 47 of Don't Fall For Your Grumpy Neighbor

Anya smiles wide. “Of course. Also, can you please explain to me why you two are not a couple yet?”

I shrug, scrubbing a hand down my face. “She doesn’t want it.”

“Really?” Anya asks, parking a hand on her hip. “Because she says the same thing about you. That you don’t want it.”

I think about what Anya’s telling me, wondering if there’s just some big miscommunication thing happening between Felicity and me. “What do I do?” I ask my younger sister.

She smiles wide. “You tell her how you feel, silly.”

“You make it sound so easy.”

“That’s because it is. She obviously has feelings for you. So, there’s got to be something standing in her way.”

I nod. “Yeah, maybe you’re right. I have to check on the floor,” I say, leaving Anya’s office to check on the main restaurant, otherwise known as the floor.

I head to the front host stand, looking at how many reservations we have for the upcoming evening, and make sure everyone’s shown up to work.

Before I’ve even had time to assess anything, Callum walks up to me.

“Everything’s looking good.”

I nod. “Yeah, not much on the books tonight. Should be a nice and easy night.”

Callum smiles. “Are you going to kick off early? Maybe go spend time with Felicity?”

I think about what Anya said. About having a serious talk with Felicity about my feelings. “I might…” my words are cut off by the ping of an incoming message on my phone. I pull it out of my pocket and glance at the message from Felicity.

Felicity: I’m at the hospital. Something felt off, and I had some cramps.

On my way.

“I gotta go. Felicity’s in the ER, something’s up with the baby.”

Callum’s eyes widen, the urgency in his words are frantic. “Go. Keep us updated,” he says in a rush.

I don’t give the brewery another thought as I rush through the place like it’s on fire, my heart pounding in my chest. I head out back, making my way to my truck in the lot. I hightail it out of the parking lot, heading toward Magnolia Ridge General, my mind a complete mess of worry and fear for Felicity and the baby.

My nerves are shot as I race through the streets, my hands shaking with every turn. I nearly sideswipe a parked car, and I realize I should have let somebody else drive me today.

The hospital looms ahead, its white walls blurring together in my panicked state. I practically skid to a stop in the emergency drop-off zone, not bothering to find a proper parking spot. I sprint into the building, barely registering the surprised looks of the people I pass by.

The antiseptic smell hits me as I approach the front desk, trying to catch my breath. "Felicity Lark," I manage to choke out, my voice hoarse with worry. The receptionist types something into her computer before looking up at me with a sympathetic expression.

"Room 217, down the hall to your left," she says softly, as if aware of the turmoil coursing through me.

I nod quickly and take off down the sterile hallway, my heart thudding in my ears. Room 217 comes into view and I push the door open with more force than necessary, revealing Felicity lying on the hospital bed, her face contorted in pain. The sound

of monitors beeping fills the room, blending with the distant sound of muffled voices. My eyes immediately seek hers, finding their familiar brown depths filled with exhaustion and fear. But when they land on mine, a flicker of relief dances across her features.

"Shepherd," she breathes out, a weak smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I'm so glad you're here."

I rush to her side, taking her hand in mine and squeezing it gently. "What's happening? Is the baby okay?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper as I try to mask the dread creeping up in my chest.

Felicity inhales shakily, her grip on my hand tightening. "The doctors are still running tests," she replies, her voice strained with pain.

“What do they think it is?”

“Braxton Hicks, maybe.”

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