Page 12 of Unexpected Love

Chapter Three

Chloe

Two weeks later

With a steady hand, I use my lucky tweezers to place the cushion-cut sapphire into the unique wedding set that I’ve been working on for the past couple of days. The groom was awesome to work with because he came in with pictures of what he wanted and was very clear on the design.

Those are my favorite clients because there is no hemming and hawing about ideas. He had a plan, and I’m executing it.

My stomach rolls, and I take a deep breath. I don’t know where the constant nausea has suddenly come from, but I have to be so careful about what I eat or drink now. My clothes in just two weeks’ time have gotten looser. I’ve been reduced to eating saltines with a little dab of peanut butter on them.

Pops has been over a lot, making sure I’m okay, and Dad still isn’t speaking to me. I’ve tried texting him and calling him, but he’s not answering. Pops says he’s been working on him, but I told him I didn’t want Dad forced or guilted into talking to me. I’m not going to feel bad about it because I didn’t get pregnant on purpose, but I’m not going to regret this innocent baby, either.

I haven’t heard from Joe, but considering his reaction, I’m not surprised. A part of me wants to be sad, but another part of me says that it’s not worth the effort. Plus I’ve felt so terrible lately I don’t have the energy to care.

I focus back on the rings. The engagement ring is gorgeous with its platinum band and a sapphire surrounded by tiny diamonds as the centerpiece. The wedding band is thin with matching diamonds set into it. With all of the gems, I was worried about them looking like costume jewelry, but instead they look vintage. After polishing them up, I place them on the little stand and grab my phone to take pictures.

When I stand up to grab a jewelry box, I have to grab my chair because I feel like I’m going to fall over. I take some deep breaths and the feeling passes, but my heart feels like it’s racing. I grab my herbal tea and take a small sip, and thankfully it stays down. Too bad it tastes like ass, and I’d kill for a nonfat caramel macchiato.

I give the groom a quick call to tell him the rings are ready, and he’s so excited he’s heading my way now. This is why I love doing what I do. Last year for my dads’ thirty-fifth anniversary, I made them matching rings with mine and Carter’s birthstones and left enough room to add spouses and children someday, and obviously my child will be the first.

Ten minutes goes by, and I’m sipping my tea when Mr. Harmon sticks his head in the back. “Chloe. Mr. Peterson is here for his rings.”

I grab the box. “Do you want to see them first?”

He takes the box from me and slowly opens it. Very carefully, he pulls them out and looks at them. “Chloe, these are gorgeous. Is this a vintage setting?”

“No, sir. But that was the look he was going for.”

“Well, I think you’re going to have a very satisfied customer.” He wipes his fingerprints off and then places them back in the box. I take the box from him and stand up, swaying slightly. Luckily, he doesn’t notice.

When I’m in the middle of a design, I tend to dress more for comfort, and Mr. Harmon has never complained. My hair is in a knot on top of my head, and I’m wearing cut-off sweats, another vintage t-shirt, and my Adidas. My shirt and shorts are covered by a smock, though, but crap, I think I forgot to put on makeup today.

My customer is standing on the other side of the counter, and I can tell he’s excited. He sees me come through the doors, and his energy is palpable. “Hi, Mr. Peterson. Come have a seat, and I’ll show you the set.” I take him over to my desk where I usually do my consultations.

We both sit, and I hand him the box. He opens it very slowly and pulls the engagement ring out first. “This is everything I wanted it to be.” Oh no. My eyes immediately fill with tears. “My Sarah is going to love it.” His Sarah? Oh wow. This guy wants me to lose it and start crying all over him.

“I’m so pleased you’re happy with them. Your Sarah is very lucky.” He pays the remaining balance, and I place the box in a decorative gift box with a purple satin bow. I grab a little gift bag from under the counter. My vision goes hazy, and I feel my heartbeat in my ears. I grip the counter but feel my fingers begin to tingle.

“Are you okay? Somebody help!” I hear someone yell, and then arms wrap around me before everything goes dark.

A steady beep pulls me from my sleep. I hear soft talking, and my eyes flutter open. There is a low light shining down on me. My eyes scan the room, and it looks like I’m in the hospital, but why? It comes back to me—feeling dizzy at work, my vision going hazy, and then me falling to the ground.

When I had come to, my boss was hovering over me, and then there were paramedics there. I told them I was pregnant, and they immediately loaded me up onto the gurney. I’d asked Mr. Harmon to call my dads as I was wheeled past him.

I turn my head to the side and see Dad and Pops sitting next to my bed, and Dad’s holding my hand. “Hey,” I say softly. They both get up, and my dad begins to cry, hugging me tightly to him. He takes a deep breath and gets control of himself.

“You sure scared us, baby girl.”

“I know, I’m sorry. I haven’t been feeling good lately, and I’ve been too nauseous to eat much. I’ve been living on saltines and peanut butter and herbal tea. I should’ve called my doctor, especially when I felt my shorts getting looser.” He strokes my hair out of my face. “I’m sorry, Daddy. Don’t be mad at me anymore.”

“Oh sweetheart, you don’t have any reason to apologize. I’m the one who’s sorry.” He kisses my forehead before moving so Pops can get to me.

“The doctor popped in a few minutes ago, but he let you sleep. I’ll go get him.” My pops disappears, and my dad grabs my hand.

“Did you guys call Carter?” I know my brother is probably freaking out.

“Yeah, he should be here anytime. Honey, he said he was calling Joe.” My eyes widen. “He wasn’t planning on telling us that it’s Joe’s baby until you were ready, even though we figured it out. He was going to call Joe and tell him about you.”

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