Page 39 of Lipstick Kiss

Chapter Twelve

Freya

Freya thought she was going to have a heart attack. The palpitations were making her heart pound out of her chest.

“All right, babe, pull down the front of your dress,” Heidi said.

Freya did as she was asked.

“Oh, that’s a nice bra. Did it come with matching panties?” Heidi asked.

Freya was too panicked to answer and looked at the equipment in the room.

They were in her nurse’s room. Freya eyed the bed with stirrups with caution. It was enough to put her off having children. Freya didn’t mention anything because Erica was sitting on a chair, stroking her belly, looking at the bed with unadulterated fear.

Heidi lifted the end of the stethoscope and placed it on Freya’s chest.

“Bloody hell, warn a girl. That’s freezing.”

Heidi laughed, brought the circular end to her mouth and, breathed on it, then placed it back on Freya’s chest. It was no warmer. Heidi listened as she looked left and right, not directly at Freya. Was this good news or bad news? Then she took it away and, like all doctors, and slung it around her neck.

“Well? Do I need a cardiogram?”

“No, you need a paper bag. You’re having a panic attack.”

“Is that all?” Erica piped up from her side.

Freya swung to face Erica. “Isn’t that bad?”

“Nah, I always had them before I went up for an award or had to walk the red carpet. They have people backstage just for the very purpose of calming us the fuck down. It’s not life or death, but the wrong pose and your career can be over.”

“Yikes. So tell us, what has your heart all a flutter?” Heidi asked way too innocently.

“Nothing,” Freya said quietly, pulling her dress back up her shoulders and turning so Erica could zip her up.

“Come on, you burst into my antenatal appointment and declared you’re having a heart attack.”

“Sorry, but you did text to say you were done for the day and could gossip.”

“True.”

“Luke knows there is no fiancé,” Freya blurted.

“Oh?” Heidi said, grinning. “How did he find out?”

“Something about me never keeping secrets from him.”

“I bet there was something else, but you are a shit liar,” Heidi commented.

“I feel… I don’t know how I feel.”

“About lying?”

“No, not the lying…”

“Freya, what happened?” Erica said.

They scooted closer.

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